We are now living in the Age of the Mask. Seven states—Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island—are requiring residents to wear masks out in public and while patronizing essential businesses, and even in the other 43, the mask is becoming as common as, say, a baseball cap. And we’re no longer in the portion of the pandemic where, unable to find something sufficient, your only option is to tie on a bandana. That is to say: there are now enough companies making face masks that you’ll almost certainly be able to grab one that is designed for that purpose—and that you might not even mind wearing. (That, of course, is a secondary concern. If a bandana’s what you’ve got, a bandana’s what you’ve got.)
We’ll remind you that N95 respirators and surgical face masks, both of which are in critically short supply, should be reserved for health-care workers. So if you’re going to wear a mask—and you should; just listen to these experts—what are your options? Here is a running list of designers and manufacturers who are creating non-medical-grade masks—we’ll update as more information becomes available.
Rose Tattoo
We’ve been all over the animal-print shirt wave. Why not add a mask?
Sebastian Acuna
Neon plaid? Sure!
Ministry of Supply
Ministry of Supply’s reusable mask ships with 10 single-use filter inserts.
Giftgowns
I mean, same.
Nala Craft
Tie-dye: still kicking!
Bravado
As a music merch-making empire, Bravado usually makes band tees. Now, naturally, they’re making masks for the likes of the Rolling Stones.
Maskd
Leave it to an enterprising college student to find a way to produce an antimicrobial-finished mask you can buy for less than two bucks.
DSPTCH
The tech-y folks behind DSPTCH went with a single adjustable strap for comfort.
Madewell
Exactly the kind of sturdy, homey mask you’d expect from Madewell. (Sold out for now, so check back for a restock.)
10 Grove
If you order any sheet set from 10 Grove, the company behind some of our favorite sheets, the company will send you a washable face mask made by its Texas-based artisans. The company is also donating masks to hospitals and shelters in Houston.
Face Mask Aid
Face Mask Aid is a collective of fashion industry volunteers making face masks in Brooklyn for essential workers. Each order includes 5 face masks and two laundry bags—you do know you’re supposed to be washing these, right? Each purchase funds a 1-for-1 donation.
Rowing Blazers
The preppy upstarts’ first run of masks—like this blackwatch number—have sold out, but keep it locked here for a restock.
Jaanuu
Jaanuu typically makes scrubs out of its antimicrobial-finished fabric, so it made plenty of sense for them to shift over to masks.
Every Mask Counts
This’ll come in handy if we’re still locked down come July 4th.
Ari Jogiel
When you buy a mask from the LA-based brand, you can decide where the brand will donate another, from a city hospital to the Postal Service.
Phlemuns
Honestly, we might keep wearing this one long after coronavirus has subsided.
Vapor95
For your favorite Zoomer.
Tylmen
In case you’re still wearing a suit these days, Tylmen’s mask folds up into a pocket square.
The Well
The Well promises its face masks will ship at the end of the month. Proceeds from the sales go to Baby2Baby, an organization working to get things like diapers and formula to children impacted by COVID-19 in cities across the country.
Vida
You’re probably not going to a picnic any time soon—so maybe grab a gingham mask?
Debrief Me
Debrief Me has been making masks for years—not a bad time to look for a veteran, right?
Shein
A stretchy, cozy-looking option.
Radian
Radian’s cloth mask seems a good option for the sweatpants lover in your life.
Diop
Diop, an upstart, African diaspora-inspired streetwear brand based in Detroit, is making masks inspired by mudcloth from Mali.
Abacaxi
Abacaxi launched its first full collection this spring—and almost immediately shifted to turning its fabric scraps into masks.
Theramasks
The advanced-textile folks behind Nufabrx have brought their know-how to mask-making.
USA Sewn Masks
Self-described “engineer by day and mom/sewing hobbyist by night” Ruth Grace Wong is putting that hobby to good use while we’re all at home.
Ms Shape
You might not need plus-size tights, which Ms Shape usually makes. You definitely need a mask, which Ms Shape now makes too.
Inkerman
Shoe company Inkerman has pivoted its resources to mask-making—you can buy for yourself, or buy a donation of masks for essential workers.
Lotuff
Luckily for you, a Lotuff designer is digging into their bandanna collection to turn out masks.
MaskClub
MaskClub lets you grab a NASA mask like this one—or subscribe for a monthly re-up at a 30% discount.
Kenny Flowers
Because even in isolation, we all have flamingo days.
StringKing
Call it the Covid Pivot: One day StringKing made lacrosse gear, the next, masks.
Profound
Like the bandanna you’ve been using as a mask, only…actually a mask.
Stephen Kenn
Kenn’s day job is furniture designer, which might explain the unusually sharp shape and construction here.
Birdwell Beach Britches
The longtime producer of swim trunks is turning its bathing-suit material into face coverings.
Love Your Melon
The folks at Love Your Melon are able to produce this style in larger numbers and at higher speeds than their typical face masks.
Akings
Hard to find a better deal than a dollar for a disposable mask.
Modern American x Fidelity Denim
In tandem with Fidelity Denim, Modern American is producing six-packs of masks—and donating another six to health-care workers for every pack sold.
Matteo
Textile company Matteo—think crispy duvet covers—is applying its know-how to masks.
Jack + Mulligan
We dig the black trim on these Jack + Mulligan masks, a portion of the sales of which goes to the CDC Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund.
Standard Issue
We love Standard Issue’s heavy-duty cotton goods, and now they’re getting into the mask game.
New Republic
For each mask you buy, New Republic’s sending one to a community partner: the West L.A. VA and neighborhood senior centers.
Ball and Buck
For the masked sportsman. Ball and Buck’s camo mask will keep you safe(r) on a trip to the grocery store, and also well camouflaged in the deer blind.
Maison Modulare
Can a face mask be…sexy? Check out Maison Modulare’s French lace version and tell us we’re wrong.
Alabama Chanin
Natalie Chanin is a longtime practitioner of “slow design,” making hand-sewn and machine-made womenswear garments in her factory in Florence, Alabama. All her pieces are made from 100 percent organic cotton sourced from the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative in Lubbock, Texas. Her non-medical-grade masks are made from tight-weave cotton that is less permeable than standard cottons, and are washable and reusable.
Daniel Patrick
Because if you’ve gotta wear a mask, you might as well get one in a colorway no one else has. If you order at least two of them, the company will send you another one for free.
NxTSTOP
A brand that usually makes gear for world travel pivots to masks you can wear for short-haul grocery-store trips.
Swaddle Designs
A baby-blanket maker pivots to pandemic protection.
Caraa mask pack (5-pack)
Bag company Caraa is taking its excess fabric cuttings and turning them into masks.
More Love, Love More “Love Bird” mask
Because covering your face doesn’t have to mean giving up on self-expression.
Naomi Nomi
Recently, Naomi Mishkin explained the troubles she was facing in shifting her Naomi Nomi line to mask production. The first handful of obstacles has been overcome—civilian masks are being made, and every purchase means one is donated to a health-care worker. They’re sold out for now, but join the waitlist and check back over the weekend for increased stock.
American Blanket Company
Denser than a standard cotton or paper mask, these are made from polyester fleece. It’s like wearing a blanket on your face, but more breathable. (The world’s coziest mask?) American Blanket Company will donate a mask with every purchase.
Citizens of Humanity
The denimheads at Citizens of Humanity have turned their jeans expertise to mask-making. $25 gets you a pack of five in assorted washes—just right if you want to match to your favorite jeans.
Collina Strada
New York upstart Collina Strada was one of the breakouts at New York Fashion Week back in February, some 37 years ago. Now, designer Hillary Taymour is sending along a free mask with every purchase. If you’ve been jonesing for a T-shirt with nipple piercings, now’s the time.
Buck Mason
You might know Buck Mason as a direct-to-consumer brand well-liked for its T-shirts. Now they’re turning that tasty cotton into masks.
Los Angeles Apparel
Los Angeles Apparel, the company founded by American Apparel founder Dov Charney, is selling three-packs of masks in several different colors. It says mask purchases will fund its ability to donate masks, and to cover costs at its factories.
Everybody.world
Everybody.world is also selling Los Angeles Apparel’s black face masks. In this case, though, proceeds go directly to the Everybody.world’s employee-relief Rainy Day Fund, which it says it set up to offer more paid time off for factory workers during the pandemic.
Classic Sofa
New York–based furniture company Classic Sofa has a ton of face masks available in three different sizes and several different colors.
Take Care
Canada-based company Take Care Supply was founded specifically to make masks in response to the coronavirus epidemic. The company says its masks will ship in two to seven business days.
Peri
Peri is using deadstock fabric to make its face masks, which it still has available in three different colors. Good luck finding a croc-print mask anywhere else!
Swimspot
A 10-pack of Swimspot’s basic black masks will ship in five to seven days.
Reformation
Reformation’s five-pack of face masks is out of stock, but the company says they might ship in a week or two. You can join the waitlist now.
Goodfight
Goodfight promises its mask will ship by April 15. It also says that for each purchase, they’ll donate one to an L.A. institution in need of personal protection equipment.
EllieFunDay
EllieFunDay’s face masks won’t ship for another two to three weeks. But if you buy one, the company will donate another to a local hospital.
CustomInk
CustomInk’s masks are set to ship April 15.
Christine Shirley
Christine Shirley’s owner, Paige Sullivan, is making masks out of the fabric she has lying around in her Pennsylvania studio. If you have colors you prefer, you can say as much in the order notes, but there aren’t any guarantees. You should be able to get your mask in 10–14 days.
The Oula Company
Oula says its masks will ship in one to two weeks. They feature a random fabric—likely one that’s super colorful.
Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row’s face masks are currently out of stock, but you can join the waitlist to be notified when they come back in stock. For each one you buy, the company will donate one to an institution in L.A., such as Union Rescue Mission.
