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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate the idea of masks as a fashion accessory

186 replies

Ghostlyglow · 31/08/2020 19:05

I'm not anti-mask - just thought I should say that. Just no, though to masks that match outfits and "designer" masks - I saw some on a jewellery website for £35!

OP posts:
Laaalaaaa · 31/08/2020 20:46

Maybe the government should have ordered us all to wear the exact same mask from a list of authorised suppliers?

FlyingPandas · 31/08/2020 20:50

Just because it is "legally and medically mandatory" doesn't mean people shouldn't try and find ways to make the situation slightly more enjoyable.

It's a bit like the eye patches children have to wear to correct eye issues such as astigmatism etc. Back in the 70s you got a big skin coloured patch. These days children get the option of choosing different funky patterns for their patches - they do the same job but it just makes life that bit more enjoyable and interesting.

It's the same with masks, surely. It's not about turning them into a fashion accessory, it's about making a difficult situation slightly more bearable. Spending £35 on one is madness, admittedly, but I bought my pretty floral cotton mask for a fiver from a small business seller on Ebay and it's light, comfortable, makes me feel vaguely attractive, means I am compliant with COVID regulations AND my purchase supports a small business so it's win:win in my book.

I've also bought computer game character themed ones for the DC and they are now excited about wearing them rather than stressing and whingeing about the fact that they have to.

Masks are our new normal, it's not a normal anyone would have chosen but we are where we are. We might as well get used to it and enjoy a bit of individuality IMO.

mbosnz · 31/08/2020 20:51

It's not going to add to masks permanence to individualise them.

Some of us aren't born Cromwellians, I guess. . .

Noodledoodledoo · 31/08/2020 20:52

Ive just ordered some Maths themed fabric for me to wear at school if needed - I am a Maths teacher.

But then I also have Maths themed shoes for school....!

steff13 · 31/08/2020 20:56

It's really just making the best of a bad situation, isn't it? My daughter and I tie-dyed some, and bought some others from Old Navy. They're cute, but I still can't wait until I don't have to wear them anymore.

eaglejulesk · 31/08/2020 20:56

Why doesn't it seem right? There is nothing wrong with trying to make something more fun. Clothing manufacturers here (not UK) are making masks out of leftover fabric, and also there are a lot of merino ones in different colours. I purchased one for $30, but as the cheapest disposable ones I found were $13 for 10 I think mines a better option - not that we have to wear masks other than on public transport, but that could change.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 31/08/2020 20:57

There were competitions for the coolest masks run by national newspapers where my family is😁

It's nice to have something nice in not so nice times.

Tinyleaf · 31/08/2020 20:58

Can't for the life of me understand why people go out of their way to have different colour masks at rather than worry about a mask that can actually filter properly

bettsbattenburg · 31/08/2020 21:02

£35 is ridiculous but if people want to match them to their outfits then that's up to them. I've got a few blue and black ones but I've also got some off the wall patterns with cartoons and things on because I work with children with SEND and they will find them funny rather than intimidating. I won't be wearing those in Tesco though!

Dededa · 31/08/2020 21:08

It’s insane money, but the principle of pretty ones is nice. I little bit of cheer and fun in a dismal time.

RufustheSniggeringReindeer · 31/08/2020 21:26

@FuzzyPenguin

My mum delivered me some grinch masks today ready for Christmas. I agree if we have to wear them then I will have fun with it.
Oh my god i want one
DappledThings · 31/08/2020 21:34

Everything we have to wear we make into a fashion accessory simply because we have to wear it.

May as well make it look decent.

Or do you carry your things around in an old Tesco shopping bag?

As it goes I carry things in my pockets or in the plain black cheapo backpack I bought years ago to function as an change bag. But I think a closer analogy is the Tesco carrier bag itself. I have a variety of bags for life for the shopping, all of which are standard patterns provided by various supermarkets. I'm sure I could get one covered with diamante, flowers, pandas or that colour coordinated with my outfit but I would find it pretty odd so to do.

itsgettingweird · 31/08/2020 21:34

I'm thinking I'll need about 10 Christmas ones for when the time comes.

Grinch is a good start!

I'd also like Christmas trees, snowmen, snow!

That's so true as well about crutches and wheelchairs.

My ds has plain silver crutches from hospital as he has to use them sometimes due to having something called HSP.

He has asked about getting coloured ones and I'm happy to buy them if he wants them. HSP won't go away (it's degenerative) - but whatever helps him deal with it's fine with me!

itsgettingweird · 31/08/2020 21:35

Dappled you certainly don't want to look through my collection of bags for life then! I have all sorts because I liked the bag or it's pink Grin

im5050 · 31/08/2020 21:45

😂well I have loads & loads
glitter type ones with glitter but I don’t like these as the filter transfer off 😂
Several in different colours with Swarovski style crystals
Sequin ones in various colours
Animal print type ones in different colours
Plain ones in red &black & blue

I have little pouches on my phone & keys and my handbag so that I can always have a mask with me
I don’t think they do much personally but I’m am happy to comply with them & if I’m going to look like a twat wearing one then I will be a sparkly twat
I’m debating to get one for my dog so we can go out in matching mask 😂

But I think that anything that encourages people to wear them and stop the spread of Covid do we really care if it’s a plain black one or a bright pink one with real diamonds on them

Yesterdayforgotten · 31/08/2020 21:47

YABU as long as the mask is approved nothing wrong with it having a nice design on and people making the best of it as afterall we are going to be wearing them for a long time! Why be boring op?

itsgettingweird · 31/08/2020 21:50

Sparkly twat Grin I like your attitude and style!

SoupDragon · 31/08/2020 21:51

I make them myself out of sackcloth and ashes.

DuchessMinnie · 31/08/2020 21:59

I have to wear a sodding surgical mask all day so my cloth masks for commuting are much nicer! I have silver sparkly, pink floral, plain green, skulls and floral, roses... I follow the rules so am certainly taking it seriously, it's nice to show a bit of individuality though.

randomchap · 31/08/2020 22:01

I have a few, so that I can match them to my outfit. It also helps normalise them for the DC.

foxtiger · 31/08/2020 22:08

I have made several of my own from all sorts of different fabrics, and I have 2 that came from shops, but neither cost more than £5. I enjoy choosing them to go well with an outfit, and I don't think there's any harm in that. On the whole I think most of us should be wearing them more often, and people are more likely to do so if they like the look of them.

Having said that, I can't imagine ever spending more than £5 a time, and I definitely wouldn't want a bejewelled one. They say the pandemic might be completely over by the end of next year - who wants to spend a fortune on something that might be obsolete by then?

CastleCrasher · 31/08/2020 22:10

"Turning something that you are only wearing for medical/legally mandated reasons into a fashion accessory is quite odd. And it makes it seem like we are all enthusiastically making them a permanent feature of our lives by making them fashionable." Confused

While pregnant I could only walk with a stick. So I bought/ decorated the prettiest, brightest, and daftest sticks I could. In no way did that mean I was enthusiastic about them, nor wanted them to be permanent. It was my way of making the best of a shitty, but thankfully temporary situation. Same with masks!

NiceGerbil · 31/08/2020 22:10

Oh another you're not doing Corona properly if you have any joy in your life.

Fucking hell. A purple face mask is Corona heresy.

The thing about why not just have a cheap backpack and reusable shopping bags... You may have noticed the massive array of bags of all prices available for men women and children op.

Seems like you aren't a person who takes pleasure in things that are fun/ beautifully made/ colourful/ unusual etc etc. That's ok but I'm sorry to say a large number of humans do and have done forever probs. Gorgeous jewellery, tapestry, ornaments, clothing etc etc from cultures across the world and history.

NiceGerbil · 31/08/2020 22:11

So I would say this is more to do with you than anyone else.

im5050 · 31/08/2020 22:14

It’sgettingweird oh I’m definitely a sparkly twat
😂 I just counted my masks

In my bedroom I have 17 😂😂😂 all neatly in a little 3 tier jewellery box
But I have to add number 3 that I have in my bag & attached to my phone and keys
Then there are a pack of 10 plain black stretchy ones downstairs that will probably never get used and not to mention a few spare ones in my car in case of emergency .

And then there are another 4 that I have ordered that should arrive this week.
And I have some more little pouch’s on the way to match 😂
I have my eye on some gorgeous ones from Jet Mask but they are expensive so might get them for Xmas present 😂

My husband has one plain black one 😂😂 says it all really