For the foreseeable future, when spending time away from your home, face masks are going to be a constant accessory. You’ll have your face covered when entering retail stores, bakeries, dry-cleaning establishments, places of worship, and more.
Masks are serving a critical service right now, but how do you bring fashion into the equation, so you feel a bit more excited about wearing one?
Here are a few ideas for you.
- Pick Out a Mask Like You Would a Scarf. If you wear a specific group of colors (warm, cool, bright, muted), stick with that color palette and choose a mask in those colors. It will naturally go with the outfits you already wear.
- Be Matchy-Matchy. Many fashion designers are now offering masks in the same prints as the dresses or bathing suits they’ve designed. Eshakti is one example:
If you’re a sewer or know someone who could customize masks, you can have a mask made in the same print as the fabric bag you carry over your shoulder or a scarf you enjoy wearing. If you don’t mind shortening your cotton scarf a bit, you could even use some of the fabric to have a mask made to match.
- A Mask for Every Occasion. Just like we have accessories we wear for running errands and then change into spiffier accessories to wear for social events, the same logic is true of wearing masks. Wear more casual print masks with tees and jeans and dressier or prettier ones when you’re wearing upscale dresses. (Yes, eventually I suspect you’ll want to wear something besides yoga pants.)
- Look For Styles That Relate To Your Personal Style. Do you prefer a classic style? You might want a scarf in polka dots or fine checks. Are you more Boho in your style expression? A tie-dye or batik print may be your best choice. Or perhaps something bold, whimsical or holiday-oriented? Your personality (I refer to it as your inner beauty) will help you determine what designs feel best to you. Anthropologie has an extensive selection (see a few below) and you can find almost any design you want on Etsy.
- Make It Pop! Do you wear mostly neutral colors? This season, your mask can be that fun pop color in your outfit.
- Why Not Let Your Mask Make a Statement. Everything from get out the vote to hints about how great your lipstick looks under your mask to promoting your favorite sports team or showing solidarity on a particular topic.
- Pull It Together. Are you wearing solid colored separates like teal, orange, and black? Look for a mask in a print that pulls those colors together.
- Make It Sparkle! If you like a lot of bling in your outfits, wear a mask that provides that sparkly flavor. While cotton may still be best and most comfortable, there’s no reason you can’t add a sparkly appliqued star or heart to the corner of your mask. Or look for a mask in a pattern that depicts bling: diamonds, gemstones or sequins. If you’re feeling so inspired you can get a plain mask and bejewel it yourself as a family fun arts and crafts project.
- Your Signature Style. Is there an image you favor and wear in accessories or prints? Maybe it’s butterflies, hearts, flowers, stars, bees, animal print or crowns. Wear a mask with your favorite symbol on it.
- Do Masks Feel Stuffy On You? Add a drop of your favorite essential oil to the inside of it. You’ll enjoy the aromatherapy with each breath. Try lavender, rose or peppermint. You might consider having an extra mask with you in case the scent gets overwhelming after a while.
- Missing Your Lipstick? Are you lamenting that no one sees your fabulous lipstick color anymore because your mask is covering your mouth? Find a fabric that could double as your lipstick color. Your friends will enjoy seeing you wearing “your” color on your face.
- Another Lipstick Remedy. If you’re going to be in a situation where you’ll be able to take your mask off, consider wearing a lip stain instead of a lipstick. Carry your favorite gloss with you to add some shine to your lip stain when you remove your mask (safely, of course) and your lips will feel dressed inside or outside of the mask.
- The Eyes Have It! Pay more attention to your eye makeup at this time. Your eyes are going to be your best communicator when wearing a mask. If you really want to have some fun, practice applying false eyelashes to bring attention to the major way we communicate while masked or intensify your eyeliner a bit.
- Make It Fun for the Little Ones. If you have a child who is reluctant to wear a mask, here’s a great solution to get a mask for your child and a matching doll mask to make the experience more fun. (Kim, please have the photo take them to this (very long!!!) link)
One word of caution: I highly recommend that you avoid wearing a mask that matches your skin tone. At first, it seems like it would be a good idea because it will blend in and be less obtrusive, but without a mouth you risk looking a bit like an alien.
No one knows how long we will be required to wear masks so let’s make the best of it. Above all else, I’d love to check in and hear how you’re doing! Give me a call or send me a text or an email with an update. I’ll be delighted to connect with you.
P.S. For those of you who used to shop with me at Infinity Boutique in Swampscott, Pauline Spirito (the owner of Infinity) is selling fashionable masks. You can find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pauline.spirito.3 and private message her or email her at: [email protected] if you are interested in purchasing a mask from her. The monies will be donated to the COVID Relief Fund.
