The Dictator | Where to find stylish anti-pollution face masks in Hong Kong
Face masks – ever so popular in Hong Kong – needn’t be boring. Find out where you can buy some fashion-forward ones
The air pollution in Hong Kong is really getting to me. I want to wear a mask when I’m outside, but they all look sort of dorky. Are there any that are even close to having a nice design?
Mask Appeal, Causeway Bay
The Dictator rules: That’s your solution? Buy more stuff? Please tell me you’re also consulting environmental experts on how to improve our air. We won’t profess to having such credentials. We have, however, read that particulate matter is of special concern, especially PM2.5 (with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres, about 30 times smaller in diameter than a human hair). Make sure you choose a mask that can filter all that out.
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Basic surgical masks are useless. At minimum, use an N95 mask, which will filter out 95 per cent of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. 3M makes good disposable ones (about HK$20 each; available from most local hardware stores). N99 is even better, and if you don’t understand why by now, then God help you.
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I keep seeing completely transparent, unlined dresses in shops. Is it now fashionable to show that much of one’s undies? How am I expected to wear such a thing?
Sheer Delights, Tai Hang
The Dictator: Well, it might help if you left the sex shop first. Just kidding. We’ve seen them in chic boutiques, too. The difference is we haven’t felt compelled to wear sheer clothing simply because it is there. While copying runway styling might lead to embarrassment, following the designer’s lead in their lookbook or seeing how a retailer has styled it could be helpful.
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Take, for example, Simone Rocha, whose collection includes see-through, ruched and ruffled black tulle and silk-organza tops and skirts (HK$3,320 to HK$4,975) shown over camisoles and leggings at Net-a-Porter. Let us repeat: these are layering items. Do wear a slim-fitting or patterned item below.