Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.
Regardless of whether your state has or has not put in place a requirement to wear a face covering while out in public, the CDC recommends the general public wear cloth masks (or something of the like) to help curb the spread of the virus. There’s no excuse for you not to be wearing one, whether you’re running to the grocery or taking a solitary stroll around the neighborhood, especially considering the number of designers and brands crafting their own non-medical-grade masks for purchase. Remember: medical grade masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health workers, since they’re in short supply and high demand. A cloth mask will serve your purpose just fine.
Sure, you’ll feel a little ridiculous at first, but wouldn’t rather feel and look like an idiot than actually be one? In the grand scheme of things, it’s a small sacrifice, a minor inconvenience. You’ll get over it.
And no, shopping for a face mask will not be the most fulfilling retail experience you’ll ever have, but they do range in style and fabric, so you can probably find one well-suited to your sartorial preferences.
Below you’ll find 26 face masks, all with some charitable aspect to them, whether it be donating a mask to a health care worker on the frontlines for every one sold, or donating proceeds to organizations in need.
Todd Snyder Cotton Jersey Bold Stripe Face Mask
It’s rare to find a face mask that comes in a range of sizes, but this striped cotton jersey mask from Todd Snyder is available in small, medium and large, meaning you can finally find a face mask that fits. For every mask purchased, the brand will be donating to Good360, an organization that works to donate everything from hygiene products to toys and books to people and communities most in need of their services.
House of Waris Hand-Dyed Natural Indigo Mask
Masks may have slightly hindered our ability to speak, but let this House of Waris tie-dye mask do the talking for you. People could use all the cheering up they can get these days, and wearing this in public is bound to make someone’s day all the more better. Keeping in line with the message ‘Love Conquers All,’ House of Waris will be donating a mask to The Bowery Mission for every one sold.
Gap Family Unisex Face Masks (8-Pack)
Kids needs face masks, too, and this 8-pack of unisex face masks from Gap is perfect for households with children to consider. Each pack comes with four adult and four kid size masks, all made from 100% cotton and featuring comfortable over-the-ear straps, so the complaints from the little ones should be minimal. Gap has already donated 50,000 masks to the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, both of which still have operations open in order to service children and families in underserved communities during this time.
Levi’s Reusable Printed Face Mask (3 Pack)
Levi’s makes good jeans and as it turns out, they also make good face masks. If you like the classic Americana look of a bandana, but don’t want to look too much like a bandit from the Wild West, Levi’s pack of 3 reusable face masks in an assortment of bandana prints is a happy compromise. The brand has also provided a $75,000 donation to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), a donation which will help provide workers with personal protective equipment as they continue to respond to COVID-19.
Steele Canvas x Food52 Cloth Face Mask
Maker of industrial-size canvas products Steele Canvas have pivoted from producing their usual laundry bins and totes in favor of cotton-denim masks. In order to help further spread the word, Food52 has partnered with the brand to sell the masks, sales from them going towards the Steele Canvas staff (of about 60 employees) as well as members of the Food52 team. You have the option to buy one mask and in turn donate one to hospitals and medical centers personally connected to Steele Canvas, or you can buy two masks and donate two in return. Either way, it’s a win-win.
Rails Non-Medical Masks (5 Pack)
While the design of the non-medical masks remain a mystery on Rails’ website, a little digging through their Instagram turns up this post featuring an assortment of solid and plaid masks in summery hues, all crafted from custom assorted Rails’ fabrics. For every purchase of the 100% cotton masks the brand will be donating a pack to essential workers and businesses in their local community.
Madewell Three-Pack Non-Medical Face Masks
Each Madewell mask is crafted from leftover scraps of fabric, meaning each design is limited edition (and therefore highly desirable). The mask features a three-layered construction that includes a filter, which can easily be removed and replaced. Buy a pack and feel good knowing the brand (and J.Crew) donated 75,000 single-use face masks to the Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
Phlemuns Lemons Mask
Support a young Black designer and pick up this ‘Lemons Mask’ from unisex brand Phlemuns. The interior of the mask is made from 100% cotton, making it ideal for summer, and the lemon print is arguably one of the most (if not the) coolest masks we have yet to see. Because when life gives you lemons, you put them on a face mask.
Paige The Mask 4 Pack
Although currently sold out, it’s worth keeping an eye out for the next time clothing brand Paige’s pack of 4 masks are re-stocked. For every pack sold, a pack will be donated to those working on the frontlines of the pandemic. The brand has already been able to donate 5,000 masks (and counting).
Huckberry Merino Wool Face Mask 2-Pack
Don’t be dissuaded by the merino wool of these Huckberry masks, as it was chosen for its ability to wick moisture, keep odor at bay, be breathable and regulate temperature. In other words, walking around on a warm day will be a breeze, and it won’t give one the sensation of choking on their own breath. For every mask sold Huckberry will be donating $5 to the Opportunity Fund’s “Small Relief Business Fund,” a program that works to help small businesses experiencing the negative economic impact of COVID-19, especially businesses run by women, immigrants and people of color.
adidas Face Covers M/L 3-Pack
Working out while wearing a face mask can be a struggle, but adidas is making it easier to practice ‘healthy habits’ with their new Face Covers, breathable “sports” masks that lend themselves well to exercise and other physical activity. The brand will be donating $2 from every pack sold to the Save the Children’s Global Coronavirus Response Fund.
Buck Mason Anti-Microbial Prevention Face Mask 5-Pack
Buck Mason’s Anti-Microbial Prevention masks are reusable and treated with an anti-microbial coating on the inner layer which will last up to 30 washes. For every mask sold the company will in turn donate one, and already have more than 400,000 masks set to donate.
Caraa Mask Pack Purchase
Many companies making face masks have been crafting them out of repurposed material, accessory brand Caraa included. You’ll get five of these colorful masks made from materials found on their production line and your purchase will be matched with a donation to New York’s relief efforts.
St. John Grenadine Pique Milano Knit Care Mask
If you want something that feels a little more substantial than a cloth mask, this one from St. John (made from their surplus knit pique fabric) is like a sweater for your face. For each mask sold, three non-surgical anti-microbial masks will be donated to those in need.
Vida Protective Mask
Each of Vida’s Protective Masks is outfitted with a PM2.5 Filter featuring 2 layers of Meltblown Filter and 1 layer of Carbon Activated Fabric, meaning it can filter out particles in the air that cause pollution. The filter should be replaced every seven days, but you can purchase more here. 10% off proceeds from the masks will go to local COVID efforts.
KES Sustainable Washable Face Mask
Another brand donating a mask for one purchased, KES’s sustainable, washable masks are available in both cotton and silk charmeuse, as well as sizes fit for kids.
Re/Done Upcycled Bandana Mask
Retire that bandana you’ve been tying around your face in favor of Re/Done’s Upcycled Bandana Mask, which has the same effect, just more practical. The brand will donate five masks to health care workers on the frontlines for every one purchased.
Sanctuary 5 Pack Fashion PPE Masks
Maybe you’re looking to make the best of the situation and you’re looking for a little variety when it comes to your face masks, switching it up depending on your mood. Sanctuary is offering packs of five masks of varying patterns, and with each purchase of a mask, masks will be donated to organizations in need.
Parachute Face Masks
If you’re a fan of Parachute’s sheets, you might as well get their face mask made from the same 100% cotton. Available for pre-order, the masks will come in varying colors and patterns (so you won’t know what you’re getting until you get it) and for every set sold a set will be donated to those in need.
CAMP Collection Camp Mask 6 Pack – Rainbow
CAMP Collection’s rainbow-hued masks feature a pouch for inserting microfiber cloth or other material to aid in infiltration, and their cotton material makes them ideal for rewashing and rewearing. Your purchase of the masks will result in one being donated to an essential worker.
BAGGU Fabric Mask Set
Leave it to BAGGU to make some of the most aesthetically pleasing masks we have yet to see. Their mask packs (each comes with a set of three) are offered in the colorways Meadow, Brown and Forest, and features three different masks in each pack. The masks are made from 100% Kona’s Quilter Cotton, a thicker material that features a tighter weave so as to block respiratory droplets, while still remaining breathable. For every pack sold, a pack will be donated to healthcare workers.
Everlane The 100% Human Face Mask Three-Pack
It was only a matter of time before Everlane began making their own face masks and their three-pack 100% Human Face Masks have finally hit the market. The masks are made from double-layer cotton and feature cotton-Lycra ear loops so they’re easily adjustable. Ten percent of all sales from the masks will be donated to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund.
Araks Protective Face Mask
While the lady in your life might be more familiar with swimwear/sleepwear/lingerie brand Araks, their face masks will look good (and more importantly work) on anyone. Twenty percent of proceeds from each mask will be donated to the non-profit grassroots coalition GetUsPPE, which works to address the shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment).
Uncommon Goods Rainbow Face Coverings – Set of 2
It’s hard to take joy in having to wear a mask, we challenge you not to feel joyful (and hopeful) at the sight of these rainbow-adorned face masks from Uncommon Goods. What’s even cuter is that the rainbows were drawn by twelve kids and each mask comes with a label that includes uplifting reminders such as ‘keep smiling’ (cue the awws). All proceeds from the masks will go to NYC Health + Hospitals.
Rag & Bone Stealth Mask
This black-and-white gingham mask from Rag & Bone (made from upcycled ready-to-wear fabrics) will result in the donation of a mask to those most affected by COVID-19. In addition, each individual purpose allows the brand to donate $5 to City Harvest, a food rescue organization that helps to deliver meals to those most in need.
Collina Strada x Lipoelastic Face Mask
Each of these Collina Strada masks, made in collaboration with Lipoelastic, are hand-dyed, meaning no two masks will be alike. A portion of the proceeds from each mask will be donated to the Northeast Nurses Association. You can also reach out to the brand directly if you or someone close to you is sick, but the mask is out of your price range.
Rowing Blazers Face Mask
Rowing Blazers arguably makes the most enviable face masks, seeing as they’re crafted from leftover scraps of fabric used for the brand’s blazers, suiting and shirting. In addition to being handsome, the masks go towards a good cause — for every one sold, a mask will be donated to the NYC Food Bank, and the brand is continuing to donate 10% of all sales sitewide to Direct Relief until June 1st. Unsurprisingly, these masks go fast, so pick one up before they’re gone.
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