'Interesting concept': Retailer's bonkers fishnet 'face mask' slammed
Online fashion retailer Pretty Little Thing have come under fire over their face mask collection after shoppers slammed an item sold as a ‘face mask’ that seemed to be made of fishnets.
The Black Diamante Fishnet Mask which retailed for £10 ($18) featured an ear to ear coverage, sadly let down by the gaping holes in its titular fishnet material choice.
The product caused uproar online once it was spotted by astute bargain hunters looking for a cheap buy on the website.
“Looks like a really effective face mask,” one woman sarcastically wrote alongside a snap of the ineffective item.
Looks like a really effective face mask, @OfficialPLT 😳 pic.twitter.com/pqcZdlDcTO
— Emma Gillies (@Emma_Gillies_) July 14, 2020
“Not sure this is quite the point of a face mask,” another pointed out.
Not sure this is quite the point of a face mask @OfficialPLT 🤔😂 pic.twitter.com/Of23oQAgye
— Hannah Lock (@_HannahJayne_) July 15, 2020
“Surely PLT haven’t got this in their protective face mask section,” a gobsmacked onlooker wondered. “Interesting concept.”
surely PLT haven’t got this in their protective face mask section ... interesting concept pic.twitter.com/rkGMT5t9Tt
— mol (@mollymolx) July 6, 2020
The product is no longer visible or presumably available on the label’s website, though plenty of other, more covering options are available.
All masks ‘not personal protective equipment’
It turns out however, it may be the less obviously offensive options that pose a greater risk to consumers.
Each of the site’s masks is sold with a warning label: “Please note that this mask is not personal protective equipment, PrettyLittleThing do not claim any medical benefits of using this product. Therefore please still follow and practice all relevant social distancing guidelines. This product cannot be returned due to hygiene reasons.”
In the UK where the brand began, protective face masks will become mandatory for anyone entering public shops by the end of July.
The brand’s facemask offerings, which sprung up after the pandemic struck, do not include any models that qualify as PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), as shoppers noted online.
Anyone thinking about buying a face mask from plt PLEASE read the small print as they have literally no medical benefits whatsoever and will NOT protect you from coronavirus 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/UiuKv7YGtS
— el (@elliencook) June 17, 2020
Others wrote that they had purchased the masks to be used as covers over more clinical-looking, but sterile masks, but even then they were left unimpressed.
Apart from the lack of medical benefit, the fit of some masks left much to be desired.
Two women gave a lilac facemask a go with hysterical results.
PAHAHAHAH brought a face mask from PLT and all I can say it’s just not a vibe and it gives me buck teeth??? pic.twitter.com/Md8ql3MtwY
— Courtney (@courtswheeler) June 10, 2020
Do Not buy masks from @OfficialPLT we bought this lilac face mask and I cannot believe how bad this mask is. The material is so thin that it won’t do anything. It wouldn’t even fit on the face properly. So disappointed and especially for how much we paid for it. pic.twitter.com/Ay6Uv92pHc
— Megan (@megmackenziex) June 11, 2020
“Absolutely appalling,” one person wrote.
Others pointed out however that anyone expecting to buy certified medical equipment from a fashion retailer is more to blame than the brand.
if youre going to PLT for a medical mask i think you’ve missed the point https://t.co/4XMQaUyNxD
— TS🦠 (@1905TS_) July 14, 2020
The brand is also donating profits of the masks to the UK’s National Health Service.
It comes after the brand suffered an embarrassing gaffe on a sizzling bikini post earlier in the month.
They are no strangers to an ‘expectation vs reality’ fail either, with one hysterical underboob dress going viral for its very obscure sizing.
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