As fabric face masks become a part of our “new normal,” dozens of retailers have made them available in a variety of prints, sizes and designs to encourage us to wear them. There are even Disney-inspired masks for children.
As these masks become a daily essential, they are becoming just as much of a fashion item as your favorite pair of sandals. With this in mind, it makes sense that the latest style trend taking over Instagram is face mask accessories.
You read that right.
From influencers to jewelry designers, people are looking for more unique ways to make wearing a mask work for them by adding chains, embellishments, strings and even personal touches to their fabric masks.
Face mask chains and lanyards seem to be the most popular take on the trend, but they are made to be more than just a decorative statement, according to one Etsy shop owner, whose face mask chains are current bestsellers.
“I started to make the chains after noticing that people don’t know where to put their masks when they take it off, to eat or drink, to breathe out in the open, when they get in their cars, et cetera,” Rocio Biosca, owner of Etsy shop FireflyFeelingBright, told Shop TODAY. “Some people would just hang their face mask on their ear, but that is very uncomfortable, and if you place it on a table or on any surface, it could easily become contaminated.”