Uniqlo now among retailers making face masks for the general public
Japanese clothing retailer Uniqlo, known for its comfortable casual wear at hard-to-beat prices, is now selling face masks made from its signature, breathable fabric.
Uniqlo on Monday announced it is selling three-packs of protective face masks using its "Airism" fabric technology online and in stores. The fast-fashion retailer's mask is constructed of three layers of fabric and wicks moisture, filters air and blocks 90% of UV rays, according to the manufacturer. The masks are available in three colors and three sizes. A three-pack costs $14.90.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has for months now recommended that all Americans wear some kind of cloth face covering in public to avoid transmitting the coronavirus to others. More recent studies show that widespread mask-wearing could be the key to preventing more waves of the coronavirus.
The virus is mainly spread from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks in close proximity to others, according to the CDC. The agency offers instructions on how to fashion masks out of household materials like t-shirts, bandanas and coffee filters, even for those without sewing skills.
A World Health Organization-funded analysis published in The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, found that without masks, the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is 17.4%. That drops to 3.1% with a face covering. This research begs the question: Where do I get a face mask if I'm not a medical worker?
The good news is that fashion designers and apparel companies have risen to the occasion and are fabricating masks for general use. The bad news is that masks are in such high demand that if you order now, it could be a few weeks before they arrives at your doorstep. See below for a list of some of the most popular options.
Apolis
Canvas tote-bag maker Apolis, known for its chic, sustainable market bags, is selling customizable cotton face masks for $19 each. Mask sewers in Mexico receive certified fair wages, and purchases benefit non-profit Baby2Baby, a national network that donates essential goods to children living in poverty. Masks ship in 14 days and are returnable for 30 days.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic is selling a microfiber face mask for $20. It features an adjustable wire at the nose for a secure fit. It is machine washable and ships right away.
Birdwell
Birdwell, a California surfwear brand, has pivoted from making board shorts to sewing masks. It's selling reusable masks made from a stretchy swimwear material for general use, and also donating masks to front-line workers through actor Sean Penn's non-profit CORE. Masks cost $19.95 and ship within three to five business days.
Buck Mason
Classic menswear retailer Buck Mason is selling a 5-pack of nonmedical, reusable cotton face masks with antimicrobial properties. While its design isn't a replacement for medical grade personal protective equipment, the company is donating 100,000 washable masks to essential workers in California.
"The transition from a manufacturing standpoint was quite seamless, as we're sewing cotton with single-needle stitching, a technique that is very common in apparel production," Buck Mason co-founder Sasha Koehn told CBS MoneyWatch.
Making masks has also helped the manufacturer keep its workforce employed even as many fashion brands scale back, Koehn said.
Custom Ink
Online custom T-shirt maker Custom Ink has recently begun selling cloth masks made from a soft jersey fabric for use by the general public outside of the home. The online retailer is selling 12-piece family packs for $30 each and 120-unit packs for $240. Masks come in black and are machine cut from a single piece of fabric. They are estimated to ship on August 25.
Etsy
Online marketplace Etsy, which features homemade wares from thousands of sellers, said it has seen demand for fabric face coverings spike since the CDC made its recommendation. It has sold hundreds of thousands of masks, with more than 10,000 sellers making a mask sale in the last week, CEO Josh Silverman wrote in a recent blog post. The company is encouraging those who possess the skills and materials to consider creating and selling masks on Etsy.
Evolve Together
Black and white disposable masks that provide 95% filtration are available for purchase at Evolvetogether.com.
Faherty Brand
Family-owned, sustainable surf and lifestyle clothing company Faherty is making soft cloth masks in patterns inspired by indigenous artists. They cost $10 each. The company is donating 100% of the proceeds from sales to UnitedNatives.org, a nonprofit that provides mentorship programs to Native youth. The masks are machine-washable and can be worn over and over again.
GIR
Silicone kitchen tool company GIR, which usually makes spatulas, spoons, straws and baking mats, has added a reusable face mask to its repertoire of products. The $15 silicone mask comes in seven colors and includes five disposable filters. New orders ship within two to three weeks of their order date.
Graf Lantz
Felt-trivet maker Graf Lantz is now making two styles of organic cotton face masks — one with ear loops and the other with over-the-head straps — in a variety of earthy tones. A single mask costs $19 and is available for delivery in two weeks. Three packs cost $57.
Hedley & Bennett
Chef wear company Hedley & Bennett has retooled its factory in Vernon, California, to produce masks designed in tandem with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. The company says that while the masks are neither FDA-approved nor substitutes for surgical masks or N95 respirators, they are suitable for the general public. Masks cost $22 each and ship within 1-3 days.
Jane
Boutique marketplace Jane, known for selling women's and children's clothing, is selling washable, adjustable face masks from its thousands of sellers of varying price points.
Johnny Was
Womenswear clothing brand Johnny Was, known for its vintage-inspired styles, is repurposing fabric to sell nonmedical grade, pleated masks with an interior pocket for a filter. A pack of five masks in floral patterns costs $25. They ship in two to three weeks from the order date.
Kenny Flowers
Fashion brand Kenny Flowers, known for its tropical print bathing suits and shirts, is making nonmedical "lifestyle masks" out of unused fabric scraps. They come in whimsical patterns and are machine washable. A two-pack of masks retails for $16, and a three pack sells for $24. They ship within two weeks.
Los Angeles Apparel
Clothing maker Los Angeles Apparel is selling a pack of three cotton face masks for $30 on its website. They are in stock and ready to ship immediately.
Ministry of Supply
MIT-founded apparel brand Ministry of Supply is selling a 3D-printed knit mask, developed alongside medical professionals. The masks are washable and contain a pocket for a filter. Each mask comes with 10 filters and costs $50. Masks ship in three weeks.
Rafi Nova
Bag maker Rafi Nova is now selling a variety of face-mask styles, including its "Smile Mask," which features a clear cutout to reveal wearers' expressions. The masks were originally designed for members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The smile mask has tie-back straps and costs $30 for a pack of two.
Rag & Bone
Popular apparel brand Rag & Bone is selling its own nonmedical "stealth mask" made in the Garment District of New York and Los Angeles to serve its loyal customers and also keep its business healthy. One mask costs $30, or can be bought in multiples for $5 less per mask. Masks are available for pre-order and are expected to ship by mid June.
REI
A variety of bandanas and balaclavas are immediately available through outdoor retailer REI's website.
Sanctuary
Los Angeles-based womenswear company Sanctuary is selling a five-pack of fashion masks in an assortment of prints that will ship April 19. The masks are available for pre-order through the company's website for $28.
Stitchroom
Brooklyn-based upholstery company Stitchroom is making masks for children and adults in a variety of sizes. Adult fabric masks cost $27 and ship in 1-2 weeks.
Threadless
Face masks from clothing site Threadless are made in the U.S. and can be washed and reused. They are also reversible and unisex, and are made with a 2-ply cotton poly blend. Manhattan-based Rocks Off's line of masks cost $17 with $3 from each mask sold going to Medshare to help provide medical supplies and equipment to people in need all over the world.
Vida
Vida, a global platform that connects designers and manufacturers, is selling a variety of protective masks, including the style pictured below, which is made in California. The masks are reusable and feature a soft 100% ringspun cotton interior. A single mask costs $12, a 4-pack sells for $46 and a 6-pack costs $66.
West Point Home
Home decor company West Point is keeping up with the times by making antibacterial, anti-odor masks. Masks are available in a variety of sizes and ship immediately.