Let them wear Hermès
The mask or no mask debate rages on.
The global consensus now seems to be that masks are a good idea to avoid passing on C-19 droplets should one be an asymptomatic spreader. But while the UK is still suffering a shortage of adequate PPA for its health workers and there’s no official word in favour of masks*, we’re kind of left to our own devices.
An interesting development has emerged from the fashion ranks. Even though I joked about it in my recent post, GQ reports that Hermès silk squares are enjoying an unexpected uptick on The RealReal.The designer resale site revealed an increase of 400% on scarf searches, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance, with searches for Hermès scarves in particular doubling on the previous week. (The CDC’s make your own mask how-to is here.)
Of course, luxury silk scarves are far from practical. The best face coverings are tightly woven cotton ones and they should be washed and tumble-dried regularly. Hermès silks, not so much. That said, I do think the Hermès-esque scarves have their place. It seems horribly shallow but we’ve become accustomed to expressing ourselves through style and wearing a mask is no different. At the end of the day, a scarf-mask that looks nice is an incentive to put the thing on! And you can always wear a scarf over your bog standard mask (if you can find one) if you’d rather. This Hermès ‘A La Plume’ scarf by Florence Manlik for AW15 is a longstanding favourite.
Bonus tip, those jazzy printed scarves also serve a non-mask need. I’m predicting a rise in above-the-neck Zoom-friendly accessories, and silk scarves accompany statement earrings and neckwear in that regard. Plus they’re also super-handy for disguising grown-out hair-dos, adorning uncoifed ponytails and covering desperate-for-a-touch-up roots…
[UPDATED June 4th 2020: The UK transport secretary has announced that face coverings will be mandatory on public transport from June 15th. While the jury is still out on how effective masks and coverings are in stopping the coronavirus spreading (they mainly help stop the wearer unwittingly transmitting it if they’re an asymptomatic carrier), I think they’re better on than off.]
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Unknown; Hermès scarf by Florence Manlik
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here
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