MASKING THE ISSUE

WHILE I’m in no way making light or denying the magnitude of the situation we are living through, I believe a sense of humour is imperative when facing the reality of our “new normal”.

If someone had told you a year ago, how we would be living now, you would have dismissed it as the plot of some dark, dystopian movie.

Yet here we are, in a world where face masks are the norm and hand sanitiser is the new black.

So where is the humour in all of this?

The humble face mask/face covering – a functional item worn to protect others from any potential airborne nasties escaping when we speak/cough/sneeze, has been elevated to a fashion accessory.

We began our face mask journey with bog-standard blue clinical-looking disposable masks. Early on I spotted a few decorators’ masks,

‘A’ for effort and resourcefulness.

Things evolved quickly with more aesthetically pleasing reusable masks becoming easily available, in neutral colours.

Then it happened.

Prints came first, floral, snakeskin, zig-zag. Then the flood gates opened.

Monogrammed, novelty, sports branded – my Instagram feed is littered with masks to match your outfit.

My favourite has to be the influencer I spotted in a pom-pom trimmed bikini with matching pom-pom trimmed face covering. That, my friend, is dedication to the cause.

Ever the trend setter, Sienna Miller showed off her face-covering prowess in New York by opting for a pretty scarf worn as a facial bandana, while the Duchess of Cambridge made headlines when she donned a pretty floral one, of course.

I’m sure ‘Guess The Celebrity By Their Eyes’ will be a parlour game by Christmas.

Websites such as Etsy and Not on the High Street are filled with face masks that bring a little humour. Bearded guy and radiant smile are two of my favourites.

Prize for stupidest face covering has to go to the big fast-fashion e-tailer who launched a crystal embellished mesh mask which could only be described as neither use nor ornament.

Flower power: The Duchess of Cambridge in her face mask