a list of places to buy fabric face masks
We know masks aren’t supposed to be a fashion accessory, but it certainly doesn’t hurt if they look a bit cute. If you lack the crafty skills to whip up your own and are hunting around for some reusable face coverings, the local businesses below should be able to help you out. We've categorised brands according to where they're based so you can drop by their store if you prefer, but almost all deliver nationally.
VICTORIA
Aarli – two-layer masks made by an Indigenous-owned company, currently available for pre-order, rrp $29
A.BCH – these organic cotton, moisture-repelling masks are available for pre-order every Sunday, rrp $33
Al Ele – take your pick from straps that go around your ears or whole head, rrp $10
Alperstein Designs – these 100% cotton masks feature beautiful Indigenous designs and a filter pocket inside, rrp $12.95
Anna Cordell – pleated three-layer masks with a nose wire. Made in Melbourne from deadstock fabrics, from $29
The Ark – the Melbourne brand is selling packs of five double-layer cotton masks for $50
Arnsdorf – simple black and white organic cotton masks, rrp $25
Articles of Clothing – pleated cotton masks in neutral colours, rrp $37
Bhumi – two-layer masks made from organic cotton, rrp $39 for a pack of 2
Big Dreams – beautiful cotton masks with adjustable ear loops, for both children and adults, rrp $15.95
Bitter Sports – Bitter Sports' masks come with double-layer lining and punchy colours, rrp $28
By Kinsman – usually this local brand makes fancy couture dresses, but now they're making face masks to order, rrp $30
Captain Robbo – close-fit masks with space for an extra filter, rrp $20
Celine Martine – a range of sleek styles made in Melbourne, rrp $29
CGR Sportswear – the fabrics of these three-layer designs have been chosen to filter out as many nasties as possible, rrp $20
CJO masks – made in Geelong with loads of fun fabrics, rrp $15
Cloth Mask Me – a range of printed masks and snoods made in Melbourne, starting from $12.95
EAT.ME.DO – cute-as-can-be reversible face masks from the Melbourne maker, rrp $30
E Nolan – adjustable masks made from cotton, rrp $23
Farn – natural fabrics with botanical prints, rrp $20. Check @farndesigns for stock updates.
Fitzroy Stitch – printed cotton masks with a filter pocket, rrp $25
Ge. Label – these fun printed face masks come with long fabric ties, rrp $29.95
HB Archive – these cotton masks come in two sizes and feature a nose wire, rrp $28
Hew – lots of vibrant prints in cotton and linen here, rrp $24
High Dye – Melbourne-made, tie-dyed cotton masks, rrp $20
Honest Studios – three-layer masks made from 100% natural scrap fabrics, rrp $25
iole – simple black styles available in three sizes, rrp $30
Kangaroo Jack – three-layer cotton masks featuring Indigenous art prints. Ten per cent of online mask sales are donated to the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Victoria, rrp $35
KITX – hemp, silk and linen masks in available single, double or triple-layer varieties, rrp $25
Kloke – minimal designs made with three layers cotton, linen and polyster, rrp $28
Kuwaii – three-layer masks up for pre-order from July 18th, rrp $19
Lady Petrova – if striking masks with decorative ties float your boat, these are for you, rrp $49
Lau Lau – $5 from every purchase is donated to the Safe Steps charity, rrp $15
Leonard Street – cute koala-printed masks with two layers, rrp $18
Limb – reversible, two-layer masks, rrp $27
Livia Arena – a range of three-layer masks in three different sizes. Made in Melbourne, rrp $30
Masks for Change – three-layer masks with a filter pocket. $1 from each sale goes to ReachOut, a mental health organisation for young people and their parents. rrp $22.95
Mask Jeeves – choose from a range of eclectic prints from this small Melbourne biz, rrp $20
The Masque Club – reversible masks available in three sizes, with customisable elastic lengths. $1 from every mask sold goes to PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia), rrp $15
McIntyre Merino – knitted masks made from two outer layers of merino wool and one inner layer of elastane, rrp $29.95
Meg Parry Studio – gingham three-layer masks available in adult and children's sizes, rrp $15
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – support the MSO while keeping safe with these vibrant three-layer masks. Each one comes with a carbon filter, too, rrp $25
Mosey Me – three-layer masks featuring abstract prints, rrp $25
Muse the Label – three-layer linen and cotton masks available in pretty gingham and earthy colours, rrp $30
Nya – double-layer hemp and cotton blend masks with a filter pouch, rrp $25
Ownsit! – bright and poppy styles in both adult and child size, rrp $26
Otto & Spike – 100% cotton knitted masks made in Melbourne, $9 each or 6 for $45
Par-Moi – flowers, gingham and more pretty prints from this Melbourne label, rrp $25
Pazadz – these masks have soft, breathable inner layers and sleek velvet outsides, rrp $34
Permanent Vacation – super-cute floral and tartan masks with scrunchie ear ties, rrp $30
Perple – pleated cotton masks with nose wire and space for a filter, rrp $29
Placard + Pose – printed styles in various sizes, also available as a pack of three, rrp $18
Pleated – breathable, washable and available in a large range of patterns, from $18
PRiNTINK studio – masks made from soft jersey fabric. Available for kids and adults, rrp $19
Remuse – Remuse's shibori styles include an inner pocket for a filter. Individual masks are $19 or $25 with a pack of four carbon filters.
Retrobub – not only do these masks feature May Gibbs prints (!), they come in child and adult size and donations will be made to Beyond Blue, rrp $25
Second Stitch – each mask is made by refugees and migrants who are trained by the social enterprise, rrp $18
SisterWorks – SisterWorks similarly empowers women refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, rrp $18
Sour Puss Designs – washable cotton masks available in a range of fun patterns, rrp $18
Sprinkle Emporium – these masks are made from two layers of quilters cotton and feature a wire at the nose to help prevent foggy glasses, rrp $25
Stay Cool Masks – Melbourne maker Momay Assawapoom makes masks in a wide range of sizes. She has temporarily closed her shop to catch up on orders, but keep an eye out for when she reopens.
Stitched by Megan – $5 from each purchase goes to Food Bank or the Smith Family, rrp $15
Suki McMaster – lots of colourful designs for kids and adults starting at $12
The Social Studio – these three-layer cotton masks come in two sizes. Plus, your dollars go towards training and supporting migrants and refugees, rrp $12
The Twenty20 Store – handmade, reversible styles with adjustable nose wires and a huge range of patterns, rrp $15
Theo the Label – three-layer linen/cotton masks based on the dimensions of disposable hospital-grade versions
Think Thornbury – these come in child and adult sizes and are made from two layers of cotton, from $21
Tirion – lots of eclectic prints, with sizes for children, teens and adults, from rrp $18
Vanessa Gullone – this Melbourne manufacturing studio is making masks in earthy tones, rrp $18
Wilkins and Kent – lots of floral print options here, rrp $24
Wolf & Mishka – Melbourne-made three-layer masks using two prints from past collections, rrp $30-$50
Yarli Creative – an Indigenous-owned company making triple-layer, washable masks, from $35
NEW SOUTH WALES
Annie Hamilton – silk masks made in Sydney, rrp $30
Big Bite Eco – available individually for $9 or as a set of four for $35
Bilboa – colour-happy printed masks made from a cotton, linen and hemp, rrp $15
Calico & Fern – these three-layer masks are made in Sydney from lovely Japanese-style floral fabrics, rrp $15-$18
Dead Pretty – choose from checks or plain colours from this Bondi brand. All masks are three layers, rrp $20
Ford Millinery – for every mask sold, Ford Millinery will donate a mask to the Salvation Army, rrp $24.95
Gary Bigeni – it's all about poppy colours and polka dots for this Sydney-made brand, rrp $25
Good Cloth – machine-washable cotton masks made in Sydney, rrp $11
Kurly Wurly Bar – want to sport some poppy prints? Kurly Wurly's chiko roll and galah masks should do the job, rrp $30
Saving Face Co – two-layer masks featuring eclectic prints made in collaboration with artists. Plus, $3 from each sale goes to the Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown, Sydney, rrp $28.
ULO Australia – you'll find masks made from African wax prints here. Plus, 10 per cent of all online sales will be donated to Beyond Blue, rrp $25
Utopia Goods – this Sydney brand will use as many fabrics as they have available, rrp $19
Worktones – simple, three-layer cotton masks in blue, rrp $15
QUEENSLAND
Alice Nightingale – small batches made from lovely hand-dyed fabrics. Currently sold out, but keep an eye out on Instagram for restocks. rrp $25
Goldn – luxe masks available in an array of soft colours, rrp $42.95.
Merino Country – featuring three layers of merino-wool knit, rrp $30
Mint Mask by Ailyn – a range of different sizes are available to ensure the right fit, rrp $8
Ollie Bean Designs – bright patterns in three different sizes, rrp $10 or 3 for $25
Reusable Mask Co – lots of pleated four-layer masks in plain colours and prints, rrp $29
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Closet Mod – this triple-layer mask comes in a retro floral print and is made in Adelaide, rrp $25
Jem Designs – these masks have an inner cotton layer and nylon outer. Bulk orders available, rrp $9
Made by Chrissy – printed designs with three layers and a nose wire, made in South Australia, from $11.50
Naomi Murrell – cotton and silk masks with soft lingerie elastic straps, rrp $30
The Patchwork Pear – pleated cotton masks with a filter pocket, rrp $18
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Corner Store – triple-layer masks made in Fremantle using lovely Liberty cottons, rrp $26.95
TASMANIA
Katie Parrot – reversible cloth masks (with a lovely pay-it-forward option), rrp $18, $23 with nose wire added
NATIONAL
Baggu – Baggu masks are made overseas, but stocked in a few stores around Australia, around $46
Fella Hamilton – pleated masks available in double and triple layers, rrp $9.95
Gorman – lots of colourful gingham over at Gorman, rrp $15
Mask Makery – 40 per cent of the revenue from these masks goes to Aussie makers who've lost their income due to COVID-19 (you can even register to make masks for the group!), rrp $17.50, or five for $70
Monster Threads (AUS site, NZ site) – these styles feature some lovely prints by local artists, rrp $12.95
Princess Highway – plain and gingham masks made from two layers of cotton. Each one includes filters and are available individually for $15 or in packs of three for $45.
S/W/F – colourful pleated masks available to purchase individually or in packs of two and or 10, rrp $25
INTERNATIONAL
Face It – these double layer cotton masks are made in Wellington, New Zealand and ship to Australia. Click the link in bio for an order form, around $13
George Bouy – NZ-made masks designed to sit high on the nose and tight under the chin for solid coverage, around $15 to $18
The Minimal Co – this New Zealand brand makes double-layer masks that come with your choice of fastenings (elastic, short ties or long ties), starting from around $18
Pioneers – this UK brand makes beautiful masks that ship to Australia, around $45
Rixo – another UK brand with floral masks that ship internationally, around $52