Let's not pretend. Wearing a mask feels weird and looks even odder. Those black nylon structured masks remind us of Bane in Batman blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises.
The ones with the metal clips are pure Hannibal Lecter. And the ‘industrial construction site’ sort, with the plastic stopper in the front (Paul McCartney was wearing one of these out and about in LA the other day), are just plain ugly.
Then there are the ubiquitous paper sani-masks with the ear hooks. They do no one any favours, and have tarnished the colour turquoise for ever. Which is a shame.
But masks are mandatory on public transport in both the Republic and Britain as well as being encouraged in other environments such as shops. From next month you’ll need a mask to visit the hairdresser, or the nail bar, or the beautician, when they hopefully reopen.
The fact is, we’ve got to get our heads around masks (or the other way around) and find a way to wear them, if not with pride, then with a sense of humour and style.
This is just the next small challenge: how to look good in a mask when you’re out there in the new world.
There are a couple of ways to make the most of the mask rule. One is to think of your mask like a scarf – pick the type of scarf you usually like to wear, and find the mask equivalent. There are masks out there in every fabric you’ve ever imagined and, as with scarves, they can clash or complement or blend in tonally.
For instance, if you are Nancy Shevell (Mrs Paul McCartney) – who was pictured wearing one in slate-blue linen – your mask will be as subtle and minimal as your wardrobe, but certainly not surgical white.
If you are Heidi Klum you like a white-and-black print which picks out the trim on the sleeve of your sporty jacket.
And if you are the woman in the ‘Coronavirus: Wear a face covering on the bus’ advertisement, your mask is a pretty pale lilac print that complements your top and jumble of gold necklaces.
Oddly enough, that was the image that first gave us hope that you could look pretty in a mask, so well done to them.
The message that came across loud and clear is that a mask can be part of your look, not an alien surgical accessory. It can even almost add something.
Here are a few of the more stylish masks now on the market:
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