What is "handbra"

n. (context colloquial English) The act of covering the nipples and areolae with the hands, sometimes used for modesty in photographic poses.

A handbra (also hand bra or hand-bra) is a technique used by actresses, models and other entertainers to cover their nipples and areolae with their own hands or in some other way to comply with censors' guidelines, public authorities and community standards which require female breasts to be covered in film or other media. The technique can also be used by women to cover their private parts to maintain their modesty.

Social conventions requiring females to cover their breasts in public has been widespread throughout history and across cultures. Contemporary Western cultures usually regard the exposure of the nipples and areolae as immodest and is sometimes prosecuted as indecent exposure. However, the covering of the nipples and areolae in some manner is regarded as sufficient to maintain modesty and decency, at least within letter if not the spirit of the censors' guidelines.