Masks: From Protection to Statement Pieces

The coronavirus pandemic took the world by surprise in 2020. The rapid progression of this virus made everyone opt for face masks, making it a must-have wardrobe staple this year. As the pandemic is still ongoing, the masses across the world continue to wear masks in 2021. Just because face masks offer protection from the virus and help its prevention, it doesn’t mean they have to look ugly or stick out like a sore thumb.

Many designers, including the American made clothing brands, continue to design face masks that complement one's attire beautifully. It helped change the public’s opinion and people accepted that they need to wear face masks.

Why Masks Became So Important?

Face masks played a crucial role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus. However, it worked well with two key aspects-practicing social distancing and frequent hand-washing. In the early days of the pandemic, experts did not have much information to work with. Therefore, it was not compulsory for everyone to wear a face mask.

Later on, The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found out that there were cases where people carried the virus without showing symptoms and spread it causing others to get sick. Then the public was alerted to wear masks whether or not they were sick. The CDC recommends different types of masks for different people.

#1. Surgical/Medical Masks

Surgical or medical masks are disposable masks that are typically loose-fitting ones. These masks protect your nose and mouth from sudden splashes, contact with droplets, sprays, etc. This mask is also effective in filtering out large airborne particles. These masks offer effective protection from others’ saliva and droplets resulting from sneezing and coughing.

These masks have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for providing specific protection against the Coronavirus. However, they may provide some protection in the absence of the N95/KN95 masks.

#2. The N95/KN95 Masks

The N95/KN95 mask is actually a type of respirator. It offers better protection than a surgical mask. This mask has the capacity to filter out small and large particles. It is designed to filter 95% of very small particles. These masks are also disposable. But many researchers are looking for ways to disinfect and reuse these masks.

The N95/KN95 masks are different as they have a small built-in valve. This valve makes it easier for the wearer to breathe through the mask. Since the valve releases unfiltered air as the wearer breathes out, it doesn’t prevent the virus from spreading. That is why many places have banned the use of this mask.

#3. Cloth/Plain Masks

The plain cloth masks are simply intended to trap the droplets that get released when the wearer sneezes, coughs, or talks. Everyone is supposed to wear this mask to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The cloth masks are considered more effective in preventing this virus from spreading. The countries that implemented the combination of wearing face masks with social distancing and handwashing were able to control the spread of this virus.

These masks are more economical and user-friendly as they can be disinfected, washed, and reused. The material of cloth masks can also be customized. The CDC suggests masks with multiple layers of a fabric that can catch droplets.

Masks As Statement Pieces

Everyone strives to stand out from the crowd and flaunt their own personality. It shouldn’t be a surprise that fashion didn’t sway because of the pandemic. Fashion lovers always find unique ways to thrive and communicate even in the harshest of times such as the ongoing pandemic. That is how the face mask – a mere functional accessory – evolved into so much more.

The masks became more significant once the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began recommending that all Americans must wear one while interacting with other people. By April 2020, many good Samaritans in the fashion industry were making masks for the first responders. At that time the masks were generic and it didn’t matter who crafted them. From Louis Vuitton to factories to small stores all over the US, everyone made masks that bore no logos or designs.

All of that changed soon after. Fashion brands, designers, and even the general public began crafting masks that looked aesthetically pleasing. That helped ease a lot of gender divide as men were reluctant in wearing masks. The fashion industry was fully committed to making a meaningful effort. Many mesmerizing masks made it to several fashion events accompanied by popular celebrities. Masks also took a political turn. From famous Hollywood stars to social media influencers, people wore masks to make bold statements. New York governor Andrew Cuomo, famous Singer Justin Bieber, famed actor Colin Farrell, renowned star Matt Damon, and revered actor Jon Hamm, etc. are some of many men who helped others feel that wearing a mask is not un-American.

Many menswear brands that are famous for crafting men’s pants made in America, participated in mask donating campaigns. Buck Mason, the LA-based brand, was one of the very first menswear brands to being an initiative of donating masks in the early days of the pandemic. By April 2020, the co-founders Erik Allen Ford and Sasha Koehn their own initiatives under the banner One-for-One Masks for America. Approx. 6 million face masks were donated to essential and medical workers under this campaign.