Challenges with wearing masks - YouLookFab Forum

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Challenges with wearing masks

Marlene

Veteran

Now that we are pretty much in 100% mask wearing at (almost) all times, I’m finding it’s one more way to mess with our wardrobe! I have some questions:

1) is anyone else finding it challenging to wear earrings now? I’ve lost several favorites and out of frustration, I stopped wearing earrings. I’ve asked the spouse for a pair of simple huggy style hoops. I’m hoping that since they are nice and compact to the lobe and clasp firmly that I may be able to overcome this challenge. Has anyone else figured this out?

2) does anyone have any tips for coordinating their masks to their outfits? I’m always feeling like my mask isn’t really adding to my overall look....more like a practical afterthought.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from always trying

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m content to let the mask be a practical afterthought, as a way of saying that this isn’t permanent. But for great examples of matching mask to outfit, check out MsMary’s posts. Also, there was quite a bit of discussion on the forum about masks earlier this year; you might want to search it for that term, if you haven’t already done so.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I miss wearing my fun earrings, but I agree — they get tangled in the masks too easily. I wear the diamond studs my husband gave me, or some other small, ear-hugging style. A small closed loop style works too. Open loops are the worst for getting tangled.

I like for my mask to at least not clash with my outfit, but my best (safest, most effective one) is a navy blue utilitarian one from Cambridge Mask Company, and I’ll wear that when I’m going indoors for any period of time (a good grocery shop, for example). For quick stops I’ll choose one of my colored or patterned masks depending on what goes with my outfit and what’s clean.

Echo

Veteran

As a corollary to the mask issue, I haven't been to a salon in months, so I pretty much only wear my hair up or back right now. That makes earrings a must for me, but I stick to studs or small huggies, as larger or dangly earrings are definitely a disaster with masks!

And while I love the idea of matching masks to one's outfit, I have found that Thompson Tees masks, made of a double layer of cotton t-shirt material, are the most comfortable for me. I have dozens of them, all in black, so I am definitely not fashionable as far as masks go! But they're soft, breathable, and they stay put over my nose and mouth without needing adjusting, so they're winners for me.

Marlene

Veteran

Janet - do your studs have posts? Do the posts get caught on the mask loops? I will look into Cambridge Mask Co. I’ve found Gap masks fit me well. But the ones I have have pineapples on them so they feel wrong-seasonal.

Echo - I’ll look at Thompson’s as well.

I’m a little happy that others are also noticing earring issues. I wasn’t sure if I was the only one! I imagine jewelry designers will be coming up with mask-friendly options soon

I suspect I’ll be finding some sort of seasonally appropriate style, get multiples and wear the same thing everyday, like I did with my warm weather version. Probably gray so it at least “goes” with all my outfits. I shouldn’t over-think it

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

There isn’t much fashion-y about these, but I’m getting them for our family. https://livinguard.com/revolut.....s/?lang=us

Anonymous

I used to get all twisted up wearing just the right mask for the outfit I had on that day . But after trying many diff kinds , the only ones that work comfortably for me are the disposable white paperish ones . I can bend and expand those enough so that they don’t touch my mouth or much of my cheeks . I do wear big or long earrings still - and I’m not taking my mask on and off a lot at work unless I’m on the phone - ( and even then I guess I should be leaving it on ) so once my earrings are in place , they’re fine . Doesn’t bother me at all .

slim cat

Veteran

I wear smaller earrings now - ear crawlers, small hoops, small hooks with back safety rubbers ( a must with a mask ). I do once in a while bigger statement style earrings but not sure it's that interesting now - the mask takes more attention and covers a lot of my face .
I like the idea of coordinating masks but haven't found the most comfortable style for myself ( still looking ).

slim cat

Veteran

The most recent find - black does goes with almost everything!

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Slim cat, check out the ones I linked to. They come in black, and in blue, green and (I believe) red. Can be washed and used repeatedly for half a year, so much less wasteful. Give KN-95/PPE 2 level of filtration.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hoop earrings and masks are not really compatible unless you want to make the extra effort. I have a black and white mask, a bright blue and white mask and a dark blue mask and that covers my coordination needs pretty well.

Runcarla

Veteran

My earrings of choice are very small continuous loops, or a small, low profile stud earring with a ‘sleeper’ back (locks on.) Once in, I keep them in for months at a time. I just recently switched from the loops to a diamond stud - and experienced what you described. The ear loop of my mask caught on the back of the stud, and I had to fiddle a bit to get things sorted. Made me think I should go back to the loops. Masks were easier when my hair was shorter, and when I’m not wearing hats. I have to deal with glasses, too! I find masks easier if I put my hair up and away from my ears.

Since I make masks (for charities or anyone having trouble sourcing them) I’ve developed a stash and can co-ordinate with my outfits. Co-ordinating with eye colour is effective. I like brights and novelty fabrics as well. Since March I’ve refined the style and methods. The origami masks (#1, #3, and #5) are the most popular. They seal well, but stand away from the nose and mouth. The pleated mask style (#2) has a more universal fit and is a favourite with (big) bearded men! I don’t make the style in #4 anymore, but the fabric is one of my favourites!

Someone (MsMary?) wrote that masks are the new scarves!

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em

My biggest mask challenge is that it makes my much-favored red lipsticks a total mess.

Irina

Veteran

I’m afraid of loosing my earnings, so I only wear something small with a clasp. All my masks are black, I’m not fond of patterned masks and coordinating a mask with an outfit is not my cup of tea. I actually don’t see it much where I live.

Echo

Veteran

Ha, em! I completely agree. For some reason, perhaps the safety and anonymity of wearing masks, I have take to experimenting with lipsticks during this time. I figure if I can find a combination that stands up to mask-wearing, then it will be a stay-put winner when and if we ever go back to not wearing them. Plus, since other members of my family wear the same kind of masks, I can always tell which one is mine (it has the red marks on the inside)!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

em, your masks mess up your lipstick? My lipstick messes up my masks, lol. I really don’t care, because I’m not precious about the lipstick, wear it mostly as a moisturizer anyway.

For the earring/mask tangles, wouldn’t masks that tie behind the head be easy resolution? Just wondering—doesn’t matter to me, because I don’t wear earrings.

nemosmom

Veteran

My earrings are small studs with a screw-on back, so I have not had any trouble with the earrings coming off, but the mask loops do get caught on the back of the posts.

As for coordinating, I consider myself so incredibly fortunate to have a small stash made by the lovely Runcarla who provided masks in my palette - so they ALL work seamlessly with my wardrobe.

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always trying

Veteran

Earrings glasses and mask don't work for me. I wear earrings for our google classroom and zoom meetings.