BEHIND THE MASK by Jo Henwood

‘A plain one for every day and a posh one for going out,’ he said. We weren’t discussing handbags, watches or even phone covers – my husband and I were talking masks.

Who would have thought it would be the must have accessory of 2020?

For a man whose fashion sense usually stretches to buying a Ted Baker T-shirt from T K Maxx, his foray to the shops ahead of the mask wearing deadline had resulted in a choice. One plain black neoprene offering from a high street pharmacy and a paisley blue and white affair, with integral filter pocket, from an independent shop which usually specialises in dream catchers.

Who would have thought, this time last year, that the 2020 must have accessory would be the face mask?

Whether you choose disposable, designer cotton or homemade chic, since 24 July everyone entering a shop in England has had to wear a face covering, unless there is a medical reason not to or you are under the age of 11.

I shunned the disposable option based on comfort and instead took straight to my sewing machine in search of the unique. Old shirts, handkerchiefs, even an old petticoat have been transformed, thanks to YouTube videos, into masks to match every outfit. I have fiddled with elastic, lengthened and then shortened the pattern, included nose clips (the plastic seal from packets of coffee), darts, folds and lining before settling on my favourite design, which has a seam up the middle.

Jo Henwood

My daughter asked if I could make her a silk one along the lines of those being offered for £25 a piece by a posh high street outfitters. I pointed out that my silk remnants all had a fairly open weave which could quite easily let the COVID-19 virus in and out and reminded her of the real reason we were wearing them.

I shunned the disposable option based on comfort.

But then, a bombshell was dropped. An old school friend asked where we might find a mask with the Welsh flag on it. We both hail from South Wales, where masks are not compulsory, but now live in England.

I rang around material shops in North Wales, searched on eBay and even considered adapting a dog harness I found in Mold market until I eventually found what I was looking for on a swimwear website. In terms of matching my outfits, I may have to wait until St David’s Day next March for it to really work but, for now, I proudly sport my heritage when out shopping and it makes people smile. At least I think that’s what they are doing – it’s hard to know behind the mask.

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