The unexpected and affordable face mask trend sweeping Hollywood
It’s plain, simple and pretty underwhelming. But among the A-listers, this particular style of mask is taking off.
Not even face masks are immune to the arbitrary pull of a fashion trend. First, it was a matter of whatever you could get your hands on: bandannas and scarfs were popular choices, but snoods also did the trick.
Then, when the world stopped panic buying and mask stockpiles were replenished, it was all about wearing the most colourful mask possible, as if enveloping our gobs in floral fabric and even crystals would somehow detract from the grim realities of the pandemic.
But lately, certain trendsetters have been taking a more refined approach to their mask-wearing. Instead of stepping out in gaudy prints or a classic N95, celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Timothée Chalamet, Katie Holmes, LeBron James and Justin Bieber have been opting for something with way less bells and whistles: a surgical face mask in all black.
Surgical in style yet black in colour, these celebrities have shunned the traditional blue colour for this sleek addition.
We know what you’re thinking: boring. But this is exactly the point. Because when you’ve taken the time to choose an outfit you love, the last thing you want is for a mismatched mask to throw it all off balance. But by limiting your collection of cloth coverings to black, you’re actively reducing the chance of a mask-outfit faux pas. It can be traced back to a rule of thumb the fashion set has always practised: when in doubt, take the colour out.
Another benefit to the plain black mask is that it doesn’t look as surgical as its blue and white counterparts, while delivering the same preventive effects. For those who’re required to wear disposable white masks at work throughout the week, a black mask can help separate your on and off-duty wardrobes — a huge perk if you’re struggling to separate work from play.
The best thing about the black-on-black mask trend, though, is that you don’t need to be a Jenner or a Bieber to afford it. While we’re typically priced out of whatever designer handbag or limited-edition sneakers a celeb steps out in, this is a rare example of a highly accessible trend.
Uniqlo sells three-packs of its popular AIRism masks in black for $19.90. The Iconic has more black options — including this silk one — than a face could need. If you’d prefer your purchase to support a small business, Melbourne-based social enterprise Sisterworks make their reusable breathable face masks in black. So does streetwear brand HoMie and ethically-made FTC Masks, which are made with a linen-cotton blend that’s perfect for sensitive skin types.
It’s worth acknowledging that the black mask could be just another passing ship in the world of ephemeral fashion trends. But black is timeless. The shade has been cool since Coco Chanel turned the ‘LBD’ into a cult item in the 1920s, and it continues to be a thread connecting collections by Zeitgeist designers like Rick Owens and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen of The Row today.
So even if it meets the fate of the floral mask (so July 2020), it will never really go out of style. It’s why the black face mask is a celebrity trend we can all get behind.