Masks have become a staple item that people cannot leave the house without. Unlike fashion trends of the past, such as bell bottom jeans, leg warmers, and hammer pants, masks have not faded in popularity because they are essential for public health and safety.
In the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, it was impossible to find even disposable masks. Now all types of companies and brands are making masks with different patterns, designs, and materials. Some people are even making masks at home to donate or sell in hopes of making a profit. Now there is an abundance of options to choose from.
“People will want to wear the masks more if they can match it to their outfit,” Alex Fleming, a senior sociology major, said. “While they are being fashionable, they are also protecting [others.] It’s a win-win situation.”
Even though the United States is just beginning to see masks as a fashion staple, one country has already had a mask craze: South Korea. According to Politico Magazine, masks became a fashion trend in 2009 thanks to the K-POP group known as Big Bang. While this original trend ended up dying out, COVID-19 brought the mask trend across the world out of necessity.
Many companies are beginning to capitalize off the demand. While there are many sources that supply economically efficient options, some companies are taking a more high-fashion approach, marketing masks that cost as much as some designer purses. According to Insider Incorporated, fashion designers like Collina Strada and Michael Ngo are selling face masks ranging in price from $100 to $500.
“People are trying to make masks fashionable because we have to wear them,” Emily Sanchez, a sophomore psychology major said, adding that $100 is too high of a price for a mask and that she would not pay over $10 for one.
When it comes to people paying over $100 for a mask, Fleming said, “if a person has the money to afford it, good for them.” However, Fleming said that “masks should be affordable for all because, while it has become a fashion trend, it is still for health and safety precautions.”
Just like all fashion trends, mask wearing has evolved over the pandemic. Everyone who wears a mask during this time is protecting people around them while also making a fashion statement. Some opt for the classic disposable mask, while others take time to choose their favorite pattern for the day. This is a trend that has been created out of necessity for public health, so it likely won’t follow the typical year-long lifespan of trends from the past like legwarmers and crimped hair. If people do not mask up, the mask fashion trend may last longer than that.
Photo by Marisa Fields-Williams
