Bikini, tankini…facekini?

Stylegodis babes, get a load of this. A new (and definitely unusual) accessory has just graced the pages of top fashion magazines alike. No, it’s not a bikini, much different than a tankini, but actually a facemask known as the Facekini. Originally donned by Chinese women, this mysterious mask served to protect fair complexions from the sun. Popular in the Chinese coastal city, Qingdao, these facial garbs closely resemble ski masks— with only the mouth, eyes, and nose uncovered. So the question (we hope) you’d be thinking is…why? Where our culture collectively promotes a look that’s sun kissed, Asian society considers fair skin to be the most chic. Fashion powerhouses like Alexander Wang, Emporio Armani, and Gucci have recently paired their own interpretations of the Facekinis with swimsuits. We don’t know how we feel about this…is the facial accessory here to stay, and if so, would it be worth that aweful neck tan?

Written by Kelsey Starner