You may not know what day it is, but you do know that we’re in the new normal, aka the actual Upside Down. Venturing out from our four walls into the open air means you gotta mask up to protect yourself, but more importantly to protect others. We can’t overstate the importance of good hygiene and social distancing in conjunction with covering your nose and mouth with some kind of cloth. It may not be up to the lofty medical standards of the N95 mask, but it’s actually (a lot) better than nothing.
The pandemic has sprung a field of mask options from big box stores, independent brands and an army of home sewers. So, while we’re not exactly thrilled that we’re in this situation, there are a plenty of stylish masks on the market. At the end of the day, a mask is utilitarian and it shouldn’t matter whether the one you have is a simple black mask, but why not find a mask with a bit more expression. It’s your new face now, after all.
Knitted Legs Face Mask
Some of the most stylish masks come from Etsy. This one, from Knitted Legs, is reversible and includes two types of leather cords so you can wear them around your head or your ears.
Homesite Toile Face Mask
Made in Greece, Homesite’s set of toile face masks are made to order and you can choose your preferred head support.
Buck Mason Washable Prevention Face Mask
Buck Mason’s face masks are, per its website, not a fashion piece. But that doesn’t mean we don’t like how they look. They come with an inner layer that has an anti-microbial coating, and feature a classic striped pattern or a plain solid black.
Kiriko Face Masks
Based in Portland, Oregon, Kiriko has made a grip of face masks using traditional vintage Japanese fabrics which come in a variety of patterns, all in a rich indigo blue.
Winter Session Tie Face Mask
Winter Session's Tie Face Mask is for those that want something plain, but not too plain. It's simple solid color and contrasting tie sets itself apart from the boring black face masks, but will still pair well with any outfit.
Dr. Collectors Farmer Mask
Made in Hollywood, Dr. Collectors' range of face masks utilize a range of flannel fabrics which are fully reversible with a contrasting pattern on the other side. They are finished with selvedge denim and are secured via a contrasting cord.
Alex + Nova Patterned Face Mask
Alex + Nova's three-pack of face masks uses the same fabrics as its line of adorable kids' clothes. They're light, fun and perfect for the summer weather.
Garrett Leight Face Mask
Garret Leight practically has your whole face covered with its range of luxury sunglasses in tandem with its palm tree-laden face mask.
Re/Done Upcycled Mask
We admire Re/Done's entire stock of face masks which use upcycled fabrics. But we are somewhat partial to this denim version which is made with vintage Levi's denim.
Found My Animal Wisteria Tie Dye Mask
Found My Animal’s face mask is not, per its usual clientele, for humans. And it’s supremely stylish, too. Triple-layered, adjustable ties, form-fitting brass nose piece and a lowkey tie-dye job.
5M VP2 Mask
Born from avant-garde designer Zam Barrett, 5M’s range of masks leans more technical than most masks out there. This one includes a polypropylene lining for filtration and includes a filter pocket for extra protection. Each one is made in Brooklyn and the variety of fabrics goes from linen to denim to leather and neoprene, and they’re designed to extend all the way to the throat for better coverage.
Ahluwalia Cotton Mask
In her signature upcycled patchwork style, Ahluwalia’s Cotton Face Masks are made in a variety of collages using the same fabrics seen throughout her collection.
ImaniLia Face Mask
Harlem-based ImaniLia’s colorful spectrum of face masks are just as eye-catching as the rest of the collection. Using a range of kente cloth fabrics, each one is reversible.
Ijji Face Mask
Made from deadstock Japanese twill fabric, Ijji’s pleat-style face mask is for the earthy minimalist in all of us.
Runabout Goods Defender Mask
Made in Los Angeles, the Defender Mask uses the triple-pleat design with a robust Japanese blanket fabric.
Farewell Frances Quilted Face Mask
Vintage American quilts go into Farewell Frances’ masks, which makes each one completely unique from the next.
Free & Easy Tie Dye Face Masks
Hip SoCal brand Free & Easy makes its mask sets upcycles fabrics from its t-shirt samples. As such, each mask set is like a box of chocolates.
Será Fine Silk Face Mask
The sartorial among us will appreciate Será’s silk face masks. They’re made in Italy using the same luxurious silk fabrics Será uses for its range of neck ties and include a filter pocket.
Custom Collaborative Reusable Face Mask
Made in New York via Custom Collaborative’s network of artisan women sewers, these masks use upcycled fabrics obtained from the fashion industry.
Clare V. Bisous Masks
Clare V.’s face masks use the same vivid fabrics for which the brand is known. The contrasting binding and ties is a fun sort of patchwork which sets these apart from the rest.
Baggu Fabric Face Mask
If patchwork is not quite your think, maybe colorblock is. Baggu’s assorted set of face masks come in a handful of great colorways to brighten up your ‘fit.
Camp Collection Camp Mask 6-Pack
Though the flower children didn’t have masks to take with them to Woodstock, they might’ve really dug these groovy masks from Camp Collection. Made in San Francisco, these are constructed of four layers of organic cotton and include a filter pocket.
Lisa Says Gah Knit Masks
Most of the time, Lisa Says Gah’s knitted masks sell out and what you have left is the mask and scrunchie set. I have no use for a scrunchie. But the mask looks so good that I might have to find a use for it.
Rowing Blazers Face Masks
Your favorite oxford cloth button-up shirt is now your favorite face mask, thanks to Rowing Blazers. Not only that, the preppy fave makes a handful of masks using the same high-quality shirting and suiting fabrics from its collection.
Outerknown Indigo Tie-Dye Mask
Made from 2-ply organic cotton jersey, these masks are hand-dyed with indigo and each one is different. The style features over-the-head and neck elastic straps that can be tightened with a knot to offer a secure fit.
Birdwell Birdie Reversible Face Mask
Birdwell’s mask uses the same high-quality SurfStretch and SurfNyl fabric that goes into its storied board shorts. This one, in a military-inspired woodland camo, is reversible and comes with free-flowing ties that tie around the head for a more comfortable fit.
J. Augur Vintage Applique Star US Flag Face Mask
Better-known for its line of bags and accessories made from upcycled leather and fabric, J. Augur has applied the same ethos to its one-of-one masks.
Lotuff Handmade Face Cover
It’s easy enough to tie together a bandana, but artisan leather brand Lotuff has taken it a step further by using vintage bandanas and crafting them into well-fitting mask that’s multi-layered and comes with extra-durable straps.
MINNA Grids + Stripes Masks
When Minna isn’t making beautiful home goods, they’re making these spring-toned face masks using the same fabric they use for their lovely napkins, pot holders and other kitchen accessories.
Mystery Ranch Street Mask
Co-signed by John Mayer, the Mystery Ranch Street Mask is as tough as its mil-spec bags.
Railcar Fine Goods Wabash Mask Type 1
If you’re a workwear enthusiast, you’ll want to cover up with Railcar’s wabash stripe mask which will fade beautifully over time.
69 Denim Mask
While 69 is known for it’s all-out avant-garde approach to denim, these masks are a bit more low-key. Utilizing an 8-ounce denim, it’s simple and gets the job done.
Zipporah Reshel
If you’re into a more earthy aesthetic, Zipporah Reshel’s linen masks are worth a look. They’re made from organic linen and come in a range of colors.
Diop Face Mask
Diop’s lineup of masks feature a range of beautiful wax printed cotton fabrics in traditional African patterns.
Profound Floral Painting Mask
Profound’s double-layered mask combines a painterly floral print with a streetwear edge.
Revolve Face Mask
Featuring an adjustable nose bridge for a precise fit, Revolve’s USA-made mask comes in a subtle tie-dye print that will brighten up your day.
The CDC updates its guidelines and recommendations on masks regularly. To read the latest guidelines, click here.
