Masks as a Fashion Statement?
With the need for face masks during the coronavirus pandemic, while many have not taken a second thought about its visual impact, some have seen the opportunity these masks provide and have taken advantage of this amplification to their wardrobe choices.
Not only have consumers seen this opportunity to elevate their outfits but so have designers. Almost as soon as reusable face masks became more normalized brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, and many other luxury brands, as well as store-brand companies, have all come out with reusable face masks with a plethora of different colors, designs, patterns, and sizes.
Online and in the influencer world, masks are being used as a fashion statement as well as political statements as seen worn by celebrities and influences across the world and more specifically the US due to its prolonged struggle handling the coronavirus.
So the question stands, are masks raising to the same level as an accessory that for example shoes could be, or will it stand as something that remains an afterthought that we as a society have just to deal with for the unforeseeable future?
For Oliver Ames students, the thought process of masks as an accessory seems to not even cross the majority of people’s minds. While many individuals at OA have gotten multiple different masks that they believe to be ‘cuter’. Even to these people, it appears that their masks are not as much of an amplifying addition to their style but instead more so as a stand-alone piece.
Whether or not the face mask itself looks good might be a concern for some of OA’s students for many, considering coordination does not seem to cross many minds. And even more so the majority of OA students do not seem to be considered with the appearance of the mask at all. In a self-reporting poll, OA students were asked if they care about their masks matching their outfits. Out of the 187 that answered the poll, a whopping 77% of students answered that they do not while only 23% said they do.
In conclusion, while masks may be considered an outlet for potential fashion statements in the media and among influencers in day-to-day life the majority of individuals do not take advantage of that possibility.