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
Maud London
Creating “Face coverings for the new normal”, I love these soft lil’ neoprene masks by Maud London. They some in a huge range of tones, with or without a filter pocket.
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.
Tal Drori
Back with new prints for the Autumn, these visually stunning masks are cut from silk scarves (meaning each one is different). I’ve worn my blue Ciao print mask all summer and it is extremely light and comfortable on le visage.
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)
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
Baggu Organic
These Baggu Organic masks come in Mesa, Earth, Succulent and Fig colour ways, with straps that tie behind the head and neck, to save your poor ears.
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
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
Lily & Giraffe
I love these Rainbow Flamingo and Nautical Whale themed print masks by childrenswear brand Lily & Giraffe.
Website / £14 for a set of 2
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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