One of the most annoying aspects of wearing a cloth face mask is how frequently I find myself taking it on and off with nowhere convenient to put it. Whether I want a breath of fresh air or a quick drink, I end up holding the sweat-soaked mask in my hand, letting it dangle from one ear, or—more often—throwing it nearby or into my bag, undoubtedly contaminating everything. For a while, I used a string to secure the mask around my head, but constantly retying and transferring it between masks was a hassle, and ultimately I wound up not wearing my masks as much as I knew I should. Luckily, I found the perfect solution to my problems: face mask chains.
I bought this stylish gold chain, and my God, where has it been this entire pandemic? This game-changing invention looks like a necklace and functions like an eyeglass chain (and as a bonus, most of them actually do convert into a necklace or eyewear chain). There’s a range of available options, from stylish metal and beaded chains to washable fabric lanyards. You’ll also find a variety of fasteners, including clasps, clips, and snaps. Slip each end around your mask loops, and voilà, your mask rests on your chest like a pair of sunglasses. No more hassling about where to put it.
This chain makes my life far easier and adds some flair to my outfits, and since my mask is now attached to my body, I end up wearing it more and touching it less—a win for us all. Below, we rounded up a selection of cute mask chains in a variety of styles so you can find one of your own.