Maddie Moore ’22
Fashion Columnist
Our return to campus meant donning a new, mandatory accessory:
“In Los Angeles County, individuals two years of age and older must wear a mask in all indoor places (including indoor classrooms), whether they have been vaccinated or not” read the Aug. 12 email sent by Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dean di Bartolo-Beckman.
Upon hearing this news, about one thing I was absolutely positive: I needed to up my mask game. Over the past year and a half the only people who had seen my masked face were In-N-Out employees–either the ones on my shift or the ones who handed me my Neopolitan shake every Saturday. But I knew the two massive black masks I used to hide my face so acquaintances from high school wouldn’t notice me at Target were just not going to cut it — literally, because I could not hygienically survive off of only two masks if I wanted to avoid The Novel Coronavirus. So my quest to achieve the COVID-avoider assortment of my dreams began.
What do I look for in a mask? My 50 pack of disposable pink surgicals and the handful of pink KN95s my mom mysteriously dropped in my room one day indicate that I welcome any opportunity to pink-ify an outfit. A colorful mask can ensure a more cohesive fit by bringing out an accent color or print, and are great for hiding your face from an accidental Tinder Super-Like. I also appreciate that, like stickers on a laptop or posters on a dorm wall, masks can be tools to proudly trumpet your nerdy obsessions to the world.
I met with resident mask fashion aficionado Isabella Melsheimer ‘22 to get their take. Melsheimer is a Scripps fashion icon, with pink hair and a pink fashion sense that I am incredibly jealous of. Every time I see them in Seal Court, it is as if my Pinterest “fashion inspo <3” board has come to life. According to my sources, they also started making the SICKEST masks over quarantine, so I knew I simply had to get their take. Today Melsheimer was sporting a hot pink cloth mask with lace trimming that they had made themselves. To match the vibe of the mask, they also donned a Twilight baby tee layered on top of a neon pink long sleeve with light wash jeans, planet earrings, and a bejeweled belt that spelled out “BITCH.” Most of their outfit was thrifted, with the exception of the Twilight tee, which they got off of the Etsy store mustardyardpress (as a third grade Twihead, it was absolutely mandatory that I flirted with buying it after our interview). Melsheimer’s two favorite types of masks are homemade dense-weave cotton ones and the Athleta packs — which they sport when working out (apparently they are quite breathable and washable). They started making masks last September, and sold them online for over a year. However, they are currently on hiatus due to being separated from their sewing machine. “What I was making were reversible masks… because they create more fashion options,” said Melsheimer. When planning their outfit (on a super fancy app called LookScope), their mask is a key component. “I usually match by color or by accent color,” said Melsheimer. “I like having another thing to match colors to, because a lot of little accessories, you don’t get like big pops of color with. So I like having something where I can put a big pop of color that ties together my whole outfit.” For Melsheimer, their daily mask is “the finishing touch” to an outfit. “Generally, my masks say that I’m a fashionista. That I like to be coordinated.” Then suddenly, they produce an adorable frog mask from their purse, pronouncing that this one “[lets] people know that I’m not like other girls.” We both conclude that this is an incredibly important thing for the world to know. Our meeting left me wondering, what did my masks say about me? With the end of mask wearing not at all on the horizon, I have plenty of time to find out. XOXO, That One Pink Girl (AKA your new fashion columnist. Surprise!) Need more masks? You can find free disposable masks at SHS COVID-19 testing sites. If purchasing reusable masks is a financial hardship, reach out to your primary contact dean. Image Source: Maddie Moore
