The new must-have – a matchy-matchy mask

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, as of last Monday, are mandatory on the train, Tube, bus, ferry or plane, and in an Uber, and encouraged in the office and in certain shops. Meanwhile, from next month you’ll need a mask to visit the hairdresser, or the nail bar, or the beautician, when they hopefully reopen (roll on July).

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.

I happen to love Indian cotton block prints, so that will be my everyday choice, and it couldn’t be easier: you can buy a set of three prints in pink or blue from Aspiga (£14, aspiga.com). The British sustainable brand also does them in kikoy fabrics in jewel colours. If you prefer Liberty floral designs, Etsy does sets of four masks in the pretty prints (£8.50, etsy.com), as well as luxe, super-soft cotton pleated versions (£12).

Six British designers — Michael Halpern, Julien Macdonald, Liam Hodges, Christopher Raeburn, and Rixo’s Orlagh McCloskey and Henrietta Rix — as well as British brand Mulberry have designed stylish masks for a charity initiative spearheaded by the British Fashion Council and Bags Of Ethics (£15 for three, johnlewis.com).

Boden, meanwhile, does packs of three vibrant summery prints (£20, boden.co.uk, far left) which use ends of fabric rolls, so they’re planet friendly, too.

If you like polka dots, try Taiwanese designer Johan Ku (second from left), or if it’s leopard print you’re after then Marc Cain has the mask for you (third from left).

As with scarves you’ll want a few safe, go-with-everything choices, a couple of ‘colour pop’ wild cards, and maybe one that’s a little unexpected and striking: the mask equivalent of your favourite pink tie-dye shawl.

The other way to wear a mask is to match it with your outfit. Wearing red, go with red; wearing green and pink go with green and pink. This makes sense but, personally, I’d be wary of the super co-ordinated option.

We’ve long moved on from matching your shoes and bag to your outfit, and while colour-blocking is one thing, mask co-ordinating is likely a step too far. You could end up looking like you’re in a uniform, and masks are already restricting our freedom to express ourselves.

A better bet is to have some fun. Take a look at what you’re wearing and ask yourself: ‘What would make people smile?’ Not that you’ll be able to see the result of your efforts. But every little helps.