I'll show you my mask if you show me yours...

HALLIE EPHRON: Accessories speak volumes. Or at least they used to. The handbag or shoes or scarf or jewelry a stranger wore could telegraph who they were. (Think: Cher's chandelier earrings; Madonna's eye patch.)

These days, the signifier is often the mask.
When it comes to leaders in mask fashion, CNN reports:

Perhaps the most notable and influential mask fashionista to emerge in the pandemic has been House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the majority of whose color-coordinated masks come from Donna Lewis, a small boutique in Northern Virginia.
The shop's owner, Chris Lewis, told CNN that due to Pelosi's on-camera appearances wearing her masks, many of which feature chic designs and flamboyant hues, demand for masks has increased at a rate he can barely keep up with. Lewis says Pelosi's trendiness has resulted in the sale of at least 6,000 masks, and at $22 each, the income has been a lifeline while foot traffic at the store was halted due to Covid-19.

For the record, I want to BE Nancy Pelosi when I grow up. Guessing her masks (and beads) will end up in the Smithsonian along with Madeleine Albright's pins.

My fashionista grandchildren wear tube masks called “face gaiters” -- colorfully emblazoned with dinosaurs or superheroes. They’re like long turtleneck-necks made out of a breathable synthetic, probably defeating the purpose of filtering out microscopic particles. But they’re easy raise and lower so they’re less likely to get lost. Easy to rinse out and dry. Beats the alternatives for active kids.

I’ve struggled to find masks that work for me because I seem to have… defective ears. I can’t get most masks to stay on. My husband hooks a chain of paperclips to connect the ear elastics.
Here’s a mask my sister sent me from Los Angeles, made with Liberty of London fabric. It's cute but it's main virtues are that it stays on and can be washed and dried in a jiffy. Even during a pandemic I hate a use-once-and-throw-away anything.

 
What’s your chosen mask, and what does it say about you?


LUCY BURDETTE: We started out with those buffs too, Hallie, but then my gym trainer made me this one. It’s so Key West and I love it.

I also have one made of leopard spot fabric which I love as well. But if I have to go to a doctor, I wear the plain surgical mask and throw it out as soon as I leave!

RHYS BOWEN: I’ve been amusing myself by making masks from various old T shirts, bits of fabric around the house. Also John’s favorite Batik shirt ripped so I’m making him his own masks with the fabric.

I also made a mask from an old bra (but I don’t think I’ll share a picture of that. I do have some dignity left. And besides, it didn’t let me breathe through it.)

However, since we now have a hundred surgical masks, I prefer to wear them. It’s easier to breathe through them.

JENN MCKINLAY: Jenn McKinlay: Way back in October when I was in Paris doing researcha for Paris is Always a Good Idea, I was told by the fashion folk that I spoke with that animal print was trending for 2020.

Fast forward to March when I needed a mask for the pandemic from hell, I found this one. It was the only one on the rack but when I saw the leopard print, I knew my fashion minded people in Paris would nod in approval. Well, at least I hope they would.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: May I be contrarian and cranky?
I refuse to make this cute. I see designer masks for fifty dollars each, how insane. And team masks, and funny masks, and all that.

I hate the stupid masks. I would never go out without one, a plain blue one or a plain white one. The kind with pleats. But I refuse to make it fun. (Don't yell at me.)

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I’m sorry I’m not at home (y’all, I’m on a TRIP! To Pennsylvania! Where I’m staying inside with my college roommate who’s been sheltering alone at home for four months, so it’s maybe not as exciting as those two exclamation marks would indicate.) The Maine Millennial has been buying amusing masks, including one made - for no reason I can discern - from fabric covered with pictures of Ron Weasley/Rupert Grinch. I would definitely show you that, as well as the fat squares of Lilly Pulitzer fabric I’m going to use to make masks for me and the girls. Like Hallie, I apparently have an abnormally large face or weirdly spread-out ears, because most pre-made masks don’t fit well. This is my favorite one currently - I have three identical to it - which was made by a generous friend of mine. They all have ties instead of elastic, which makes it look rather more like I’ve stepped out of a surgical ward, but they’re very convenient when running errands. I tie the lower ties in place around my neck and let the mask dangle until I reach my destination.

Do I like wearing masks? No. Do I wear one whenever I enter the grocery store or pump gas? Yes.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I have yet to buy a "statement" mask, although I've been tempted by some! Hallie, I am totally jealous of your Liberty mask. My first two a seamstress friend made for me. they have long, cloth ties. Then Rick ordered us some very efficient ones that have stretchy ties and a pocket for a filter.

But this one in the photo is my fave, made by my friend the potter. It's the only one that loops over the ears, and I find that so much more comfortable than tangling things in my (now longish!) hair! I don't think, however, that the little print exactly expresses my personality. I think I need one with the London Underground map!

HALLIE: So are you cranky that we're even discussing this... or taking the mask mandate as an opportunity to not wear lipstick and make a fashion statement at the same time? And raise your hand if you want Deb's glasses and Jenn's hair.