Mask Fashion

Aside from its instrumental value as a face covering in the medical field, these simple patches of fabric have been turned into both a political and fashion statement.

While citizens progress through their days behind a mask, President Donald Trump has repeatedly used the absence of a mask to make a statement: Americans are not in danger. This symbolism goes beyond just what meets the face. It seems that not wearing a mask would prove to the nation, and even the world, that the United States is stronger than some pandemic, and a mere piece of fabric is not going to be our savior. Although this is a very deep interpretation of simply not covering your face, it has been scientifically proven that a mask does indeed help. In fact, if most of the population consistently wears masks till October, this cover-up could potentially save 33,000 people from contracting the coronavirus.

Furthermore, masks must add some level of security, as they are a crucial part of the medical field. Surgeons use surgical masks to cover their nose and mouth in the operating room to maintain a sterile field and avoid the spread of infections. Germs can be transmitted in various forms, from person to person, or even through a fomite. Fomites are inanimate objects that serve as vectors for bacteria, often allowing viruses to live for hours. Germs can also be transmitted through water droplets that are, many times, too small to see with the bare eye. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, the masks uniquely designed for surgeons are “fluid-resistant, disposable, and loose-fitting”.

In fact, face coverings similar to those of modern-day masks have been part of Asian culture for a long time now. In most East Asian countries, it is considered very disrespectful to sneeze in public, so wearing a mask to keep your germs to yourself is common in China, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. This cultural norm was influenced even more by the SARS Outbreak from 2002 to 2004. This outbreak was similar to that of COVID-19, as they are both respiratory infections that have feverish symptoms. In addition to the fact that masks have helped prevent the spread of diseases in the past, most people just wear masks as a courtesy to those around them.

It is important to note, however, that surgical masks are meant to be used by health care professionals in hospital settings. Hospitals and clinical care facilities are in need of these disposable masks, as they are required to maintain safe communication between professionals and their patients. Earlier in the year, when there was a mask shortage due to the pandemic, many clothing stores and businesses lent a hand by turning their factories into mask-producing warehouses. According to an article in Business Insider, companies such as Hanes, Louis Vuitton, GAP, Zara, Prada, and Brooks Brothers all pitched in to help make masks for hospitals in need. Their collective materials were able to create more than enough masks, eventually calming the initial panic of running out of hospital gear. But by this time, states in the epicenter of the virus had required its residents to wear masks when going outside. This meant that there was a whole new market for these businesses.

Raising the Status Quo of Normal

At first, quantity was the priority. If stores could manufacture and distribute an abundant number of masks to consumers around the nation, then perhaps people would avoid buying all the ones they could find in stores and online. Instead of plastic surgical masks, the CDC recommended the general public to be using cloth masks. Particularly ones that can be reused after a cycle in the laundry, as they are environmentally friendly and more efficient. As companies, once again, strove to fabricate these masks, the urgency of their distribution died down with them being more available. After a while, fashion brands such as Nordstrom, American Eagle, and Gucci took these plain masks to another level. They saw their chance to take an ordinary- and now mandatory- textile and turn it into a fashion statement.

Masks also appear to be showing off the character of the individual wearing it. With so many options to choose from, it is only obvious that people would choose the one that fits best with their clothing choices and personality. Vogue recently published an article, “Where To Buy Face Masks That Are Stylish Online”, which showcased the different styles and patterns that are now available to purchase. From tye-die to simple, Tumblr designs, customers have a variety of masks to choose from, allowing them to shop for designs that match their outfits. Of course, they are priced at ridiculously high rates, but even just one customized mask is enough to protect you from catching the virus.

After wearing masks for about three months now, some people speculate that this new normal of wearing them every time you go outside is a nudge towards the idea of better hygiene and consideration for people around us. If you were to go on a run today with a mask on, you would probably receive more acknowledgements for your effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. This stylish accessory is a great business endeavor, effective in containing germs, and presents the public with so many possibilities to style their outfits with.

Sources

2019 Novel Coronavirus. (2020, February 11). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Friedman, V. (2020, April 22). Should Masks Be a Fashion Statement? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/fashion/coronavirus-fashion-face-masks.html

Givhan, R. (2020, May 5). Masks are here to stay. And they’re quickly becoming a way to express ourselves. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/masks-fashion-style-designs/2020/05/04/6a1b77a6-8a2c-11ea-ac8a-fe9b8088e101_story.html

Nast, C. (n.d.). Stylish Face Masks To Shop Now. Vogue. Retrieved June 27, 2020, from https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/stylish-face-masks-to-shop-now