Face Masks for Autumn and Winter
Read on friends for something a bit cooler than this…
Winter is Coming…
While things have been getting a bit aesthetically desperate out there.. I’ve found myself investing in a few new masks for the season to come - earthy, warm tones and heavier fabrics to match my cosier garms.
After putting together my original list of beautiful fabric face masks in June, so many small brands and makers have emerged into the brave new world of mask-making that I thought it was high time for an update.
Masks are getting smarter too, like these brilliant functional masks by Victoria Ann Studio with a clear window to help with lip reading and general human connection ie smiling at strangers (an all but distant memory).
While we may not have found a solution for the foggy glasses dilemma (answers on a postcard pls before I fall down a manhole), we have solved the ever present quandary of how to drink without lowering our masks an inch. Enter stage left these cosy Black Watch tartan masks by Slanj, complete with ingenious hatch for a drinking straw.
I’ve noticed more and more “pretty” masks as we head into (the time formerly known as) party season. Favourites include this range of styles by Maud London, the green velvet mask by Plümo, this Winter-Ball worthy Polka Dot Evening Mask and all the decadent ruffles of The Vampire’s Wife. Leigh Elizabeth Studio’s embellished face coverings come in dreamy pastels with the most intricate headbands and earrings to match too.
Anything to make the mask a little more appealing day to day, I found a selection of pretty mask chains, to keep your mask close at hand without needing to reach into a bag or pocket with sticky hand gel hands (dilemmas we never knew we’d have). I love these detailed chains by Dear Soho and The Darling Corner (both USA-based), and MTLKatie in Canada. Loop & Boogie have a lovely range here in the Uk too.
So whatever your vibe, here are my favourite masks for Autumn and Winter 2020. Looking for masks for kids? Skip ahead for the wee ones. xoxo
Rejean Denim
Rejean is a zero waste fashion brand based in Galasgow, reclaiming denim to make the most beautiful jackets and accessories. Founder Siobhan has launched face coverings in a range of colours with a cotton bound trim. I love these super limited edition corduroy styles (get em while ya can).
Rosana Exposito
Rosana is a Scottish/Spanish Fashion designer based in Glasgow. Her Linen masks are currently available in Mustard, Burnt Orange and Cream. Rosana and all profits will go towards supporting the Glasgow Night Shelter for destitute asylum seekers. Rosana has also create a matching mask & scrunchie set.
Website / £15 / £22 for matching mask & scrunchie set
MuMu
MuMu is a Uk-based family business founded by two siblings. After spending most of their days in dreary scrubs, they created these fun, practical masks to help make their uniforms less uniform. Each of their cotton prints comes in a matching doggy bandana. A percentage of each bandana sold will be donated to dog rescue non-profit Sidewalk Specials in South Africa. I own their orange-print mask and have worn it lots (though the sizing comes up pretty small).
Emily Millichip
Edinburgh-based Emily Millichip is the queen of print. An award-winning fashion and accessories designer, she is making bright, bold zero waste masks from her fabric offcuts (in the most beautiful tropical and animal print designs). With a shaped nose and face for added comfort and style, each of her masks are made-to-order by hand.
Mooch
Made from 100% stone washed linen for optimum softness, these Mooch masks come with pretty embroidered detailing in dusky pink and other neutral shades. Matching mask pouches are also available.
Website / £10
MASQ by Amber
I love these pretty gingham cotton and coloured denim masks, now in earthier Autumnal shades and cool Wintry colours. The fabric elastic ear loops were designed to be as comfortable as possible. Each MASQ is handmade to order, with a 100% pure cotton lining and pocket to add a filter if you would like. Amber also makes matchy matchy scrunchies.
Plümo
Luxury womenswear label, Plumo, has created a range of beautiful organic linen masks in 19 different colours and prints. Due to Linen’s naturally antibacterial properties, it makes an ideal material for protective masks. Each one is sewn with four individual layers and can be washed at 90 degrees (germies be gone)! They also sell huge bundles of masks for kitting out your whole family or even office. I’ve got them in a few colours and while they size quite big on, they’re really comfortable.
Website / Insta / £10 (Mention my full name at checkout for 15% off)
Law Design Studio
LAW Design Studio is a slow fashion brand based in Glasgow by Scottish fashion designer and freelance illustrator Gillian McNeill. Their masks are ethically handmade with deadstock surplus fabric offcuts. Available in 100% linen (black, light grey, white and oatmeal)
Website / £13
Minus Cloud 9
All Minus Cloud 9 garments are eco-friendly and printed by hand, 10% of all mask sales will continue to go to mind charity and a further 10% to @londonscrubshub to keep funding their materials to provide PPE for the NHS! Designs come in Black, White and Grey with different cloud designs.
Millie Scott Studio
Millie Scott is an independent designer empowered by the slow fashion movement, reusing remnants of pre-existing fabrics to create luxurious pieces that remain affordable. Millie’s masks are made to order and come in a range of colours and prints, with matching versions for little ones too (see below).
Anna Hepburn Studio
Anna Hepburn Studio’s beautiful designs include these minimalist canvas masks with coloured stitching and soft jersey cotton ties. Other styles include a collaboration with artist Alice Dansey-Wright who hand paints each design.
Website / from £15 to £25
Francis + Louise
I am a big fan of accessories brand Francis + Louise. Handmade in small quantities in their East London Studio from original prints and artwork. £1 from every sale will be donated to NHS charities together and Stephen Lawrence charitable trust.
Rock n Rose
These Rock n Rose masks have a cotton lining and an in-built filter pocket. £5 from the sale of each set of face masks will be donated to The Trussell Trust and Black Minds Matter.
Website / £24 for a set of three
ROOP
Recently stocked in Selfridges, ROOP is the most amazing Manchester-based accessories brand selling Japanese-inspired Furoshiki bags and matching scrunchies. Made from 100% cotton with an internal nose clip, the masks have been relaunched in these super soft Autumn colours. 10% of profits from each mask will be donated to Southall black sisters charity.
Website / £23
VICON
Geneva-based VICON (Victoria Boissonnas) is a multidisciplinary artist known for her unique line drawings and illustration work as well as painting, photography, performance art and a recently launched fashion collaboration. These masks feature her signature style of drawing and come in L as a standard size and M for smaller faces. To order, DM Victoria on Instagram with the size, your full name and address.
Oitoi Style
Handmade in East London by freelance milliner and mama of 2. I love the range of prints and styles in super soft cotton muslin, with various ear loop and tie styles. They also offer a really beautiful range of kids masks (see below)!
Etsy / from £10
By ELN
ELN is a NI based streetwear brand by Ellen Mooney. These lovely soft masks are made from remnant double gauze cotton and finished with scrunchie ear loops for extra comfort. Each mask matches one of their gorgeous scrunchies too.
Website / £10
Follow Me Handmade
More lovely linen face masks with soft ear loops, in a rainbow of colours to match any outerwear this Autumn.
Website / £11
Lacklustre Embroidery
Lacklustre Embroidery makes these sustainably embroidered masks with playful designs like The Fry Up (perfect for wearing to brunch) & The Salad on gingham cotton with scrunchie ear loops. She has also just released a Halloween Edition for safe Trick or Treating. I love them!
Website / £15
Wires
Super cool zero-waste glasses brand Wires have designed something a little different - a universal mask which hangs from your glasses rather than your ears (comfier & less likely to fog up - hallelujah). Their masks fit any glasses with arms up to 1.5cm wide and are handmade in the Uk using ethical fabrics. Proceeds support the brand’s charity partners and they’ve collabed with the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Simone Rocha.
Peonies by Amelia
These pretty linen face masks are hand embroidered and come in a range of styles and colours. Handmade in the Uk, I love these pretty face mask pouches too, for keeping everything nice and safe.
If Floral Prints are your thing..
Other brands making masks in luxurious liberty print fabrics with a seasonal update include Pearl Lowe (handmade by local seamstresses in Somerset), womenswear brand AEIBE, and Brora Cashmere.
Wee Masks
Oitoi Style
Handmade in East London by a freelance milliner and mama of 2. I love the range of prints and styles in super soft cotton muslin.
Website / from £6.50
Emily Millichip
Emily has launched these super cool camouflage print face masks for little ones in a medium / heavyweight cotton similar to denim. They also come in a pretty paradise print.
What Mother Made
Hackney-based children’s clothing brand What Mother Made have launched their beautiful fabric masks in kids sizes from 2-12 years old. In range of bold prints, masks come in grown-up sizes too. 10% of the profits will go to Choose Love - a fantastic charity helping refugees and their families.
Pango Productions!
Pango face masks are designed to fit girls and boys aged 4-10, with lots of different original prints to choose from.
Website / £8.50
Wild Things
Creative, colourful children’s brand Wild Things have launched a beautiful range of face masks for kids aged 3 to 10. These fun masks come in six different character designs: Rainbow Lion, shark, cat, bunny , dog, tiger and superhero. A really fun way to make mask-wearing feel like fancy dress, many of the styles have a matching headband with bunny / tiger or dog ears.
Jenny Wren Clothing
Liberty print face masks by Jenny Wren Clothing to keep special Bear Friends safe too. Matching childen’s masks are available too.
Website / £5
Vogue Mask
These handmade linen face masks are individually crafted with love and care. Each mask is embroidered with loved character or animals in a 3D effect and comes with a free ear extender strap to help fit various face sizes.
Whatever You Do Friends, Don’t Forget..
At this point in the game we’ve all encountered our fair share of COVIDIOTS, and it’s hard to believe that so many months later, wearing a mask to keep others safe is still contentious for some. For more in-depth reading, see this insightful and popular urine analogy.
NB: Wearing a mask shouldn’t give you a false sense of complacency or substitute social distancing. It has been reiterated across the board that wearing a mask alone will not protect you from Coronavirus but will prevent you from spreading germs of your own (ya germy beasts!)
Always follow the advice of your local government and for goodness sake tuck yo nose in*! ⚡️
*Please see this most accurate of memes.
Read more of my latest articles on the blog including How To Write a Novel, The Collective: A Year in Review, an Interior Design Trend Report and some escapist Armchair Travel to the South of France.
For more COVID content (woo..) see my Life-in-Lockdown Series.
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