The Current State of Masks

Teresa Jacob Article By: Victoria Broadbent and Christina Muraskas Layout By: Julia Lapaj Model: Theresa Jacob Photographer: Mia Pollack

Whether it’s the shoes, the shirt, the pants, or even the socks you pick out in the morning to wear for the day, those items of clothing are all forms of self expression. Wear a pink shirt — you’re feeling girly. Wear a bandana and bellbottoms — you’re channeling your inner young Donna from Mamma Mia. Wear a power pantsuit — you’re ready to run the world. However, in recent months, there’s been a new addition to this array of options for style expression: the mask. Contrary to the popular belief that masks are purely for protection, the mask can function in the exact same way as a pink shirt or pant suit as a form of self expression. I’ve seen people with masks of all different colors, styles, and brands, yet each one is unique to its wearer. You can wear a mask with a cute pattern, a funny slogan, or a political message — whatever you choose calls attention to itself because unlike other clothing items, this one is right on your face. Despite the unfortunate circumstances of COVID-19 that have led us to have to wear masks daily, we have transformed a grim reminder of social distancing and sickness into a creative and courageous way to be unique, while staying safe and keeping others safe too. But will this mandated yet newly found form of fashion expression in 2020 still be present in the future? Despite the fact that it was a necessary inclusion into society at the start of the new decade, most people have taken it in stride and run with it. Masks currently serve a dual purpose as both fashion and function, but will this still be the case in the upcoming years when the COVID-19 pandemic is a thing of the past? In many countries, specifically in Asia, masks are a normality for the protection of one’s own health and a sign of respect for others when one is sick. America has the ability to take this lead and follow. Masks have become so ingrained in everyday life that they now feel more like an accessory than a forced mandate. There are so many numerous styles and patterns for one to accessorize to their outfit and to express themselves with. In the future, it should become a social norm for one to pull the mask back out of storage when they are under the weather, traveling, or in crowded spaces and events. Dress a mask up, match it to your outfit, hide that pimple, and keep yourself and others safe!