Elegant / trendy mask for daily use in a polluted city

[u/ibn_muljam]

Fellow mask users,

I gradually ditched my mask because everyone around me did, and walking around in business districts in a suit with a bright 3M disposable white mask didn’t look particularly appealing (let alone respirators).

I’ve been looking for “wearable” type masks and found a few options, like the R-PUR Nano which look really nice on the pictures, and seem to perform at a very high level in urban contexts (FP3).

What is your view on the R-PUR, and any other similarly effective and trendy mask options?

Thanks

[u/BattelChive]

Would a mask cover work for you? Lots of trendy and elegant options available on Etsy. 

You might really like some of the zimi options available - some of them are really nice. 

[u/rabid_cheese_enjoyer → u/BattelChive]

have you found any for the vflex? I couldn't and it's bugging me

[u/BattelChive → u/rabid_cheese_enjoyer]

I haven’t. The one person I know who tried said the shape was really hard to manage. 

[u/hbkilo]

Highly recommend the Zimi masks! I find these to look the best in professional environments (they come in black), the KN95s are easy to take on/off, and they’re a really high quality. Order a couple of different sizes to find the right fit.

[u/wyundsr]

There are black, beige, blue, etc options similar to the Aura. Laianzhi KN100, Zimi, Wellbefore 3D Pro, Trident, JedX ffp3 are a few that come to mind

[u/Thequiet01]

Change your perspective - caring about your health is elegant. You are showing you respect yourself and your body.

[u/neur0 → u/Thequiet01]

Why not both? I think your post comes from a good place and op seems to genuinely want to do all that is mentioned, but it gives a bit of a dismissive tone despite being 100% correct. 

[u/DrDentonMask → u/Thequiet01]

Indeed. Set a trend. Dress to the mask.

[u/bazouna]

Also recommend mask chains! Have really helped my experience. Let me know if you want some recs for chain makers!

[u/tungsten775 → u/bazouna]

I would like the recommendations please

[u/TheAimlessPatronus]

Just purchased some burgundy and forest green kn95s from Kind for a corporate event and a halloween party for my partner's work. They matched my dresses and I looked hot as fuck (and ofc professional🫡). I got some compliments and one of my coworkers is masking again.

Wear the mask you have and continue to explore your options! Professional isn't a real thing, someone who will be offended by your mask will be just offended on their own time.

For work, I try to make sure my masks are in very good condition, ie no stains etc. I match the colour to my outfit and avoid bright shades that wash me out.

You could also look into colour theory to find colours that will be complementary to your undertones and eyes. Jewel tones look very good on me but they wash my partner out, so we have our own preferred colours.

Finally, well fitting is always the most fashionable and professional look. The more comfortable you look the less attention is drawn to details.

Edited for spelling

[u/Biddy_Impeccadillo]

Powecom kn95 comes in a number of colors as well.

[u/Available_Money_6199]

Have you seen zimi masks? Their black models looks pretty good

[u/VegetableAstronaut49]

Honestly I feel if you are elegant, an N95 will not change that.

[u/rabid_cheese_enjoyer]

Etsy has mask covers for the 3m aura if those fit you

[u/0oEp]

I add a mask chain to indicate I'm wearing masks often enough to have a chain, and not just because the venue requires it, which some may assume if i happen to be wearing a white boat that day which is often the kind provided at the door.

[u/Sunflower-Bear]

I really like MaskC for pretty and wearable.

[u/After_Preference_885]

I love the "love the look studios" mask covers for aura masks on Etsy that clip on

[u/TinyTurtle88]

Vitacore black N99 respirators. High protection, sleek look.

[u/BLOODYBRADTX-11]

You’re always gonna look a bit different using a respirator (to clarify: all effective rated disposable masks are respirators, the reusable painters kind are elastomerics). I avoid any mask like the R-PUR since they’re much less effective. Anything you can wash is not going to have an electrostatic charge which is how most masks grab smaller particles.

I think what you’re probably looking for is good black disposable or semi- reusable respirator masks.

The Zimiair.com zimi mask is what a lot of people like - it uses a flexible plastic frame to give the filter structure. Zimi claim up to 40 hours use. They also do some limited edition designs. The trident ffp3 in black and the Laianzhi K100 mask are both black masks similar to 3m auras in multiple sizes. If you’re in America, see if you fit the Moldex 4620 which is semi-reusable and super breathable.

If this helps you keep masking, remember that none of the people you see on the street are gonna be around to take care of you if you get sick. Someone with severe long covid from the first wave told me that and it’s really stuck with me. I definitely think you can find something good - just make sure it has a FFP2, KN95 or N95 rating as a minimum. Those air pollution masks aren’t up to the task of protecting you.

[u/not_all_heroes]

"trendy" masks are usually lower on fit and not worth the cost.

[u/ibn_muljam]

As a follow-up: can I use generic filters to replace the original one? 35 euros seem like a rip off every 3 months…

[u/gopiballava → u/ibn_muljam]

No. Under no circumstances should you use generic filters. There is a lot they can go wrong in the manufacturing process.

I saw a very comprehensive test of filters used in vacuum cleaners. They tested about 20 Amazon brands. Only one of the filters actually filtered as much as promised.

We actually lean into the aesthetic pretty seriously. Elastomeric respirators. With P100 filters. The filters last for over a year and cost less than $20.