Our Leading Picks for Back to School & Work: Yup, the Face Mask

Occasionally you may catch yourself having a conversation with someone while wearing a mask. It doesn’t feel right in every sense. Our mothers cringe and not just because we are in a pandemic. Masks alter rules instilled from a proper upbringing, restructuring etiquette in the spirit of being safe and respectful in a broader sense–saving lives.

Face masks are now available in every style trend. These light cotton Indian block print versions by Pacific Rose have a colorful boho vibe.

This fall, spiral notebooks and insulated coffee mugs aren’t the only needs on the back to school and work list, face masks are this year’s metal straw. My son’s elementary school is currently considering a fall return with the requirement that all kids bring two masks. From the amount of gloves we’ve lost through the years I can see why.

We’ve now lived with face masks long enough to move beyond the gauzy hospital versions, where coordinating your mask to an outfit is the emerging trend of the year.