WEARING a face mask is currently compulsory in Britain when you're travelling on public transport or visiting shops, unless you're exempt.

And since buying box after box of disposable masks is bad for the environment as well as your purse strings – plus, they're a whole lot less stylish than their fabric counterparts – we've picked out some of the best reusable face mask designs you can buy right now.

What are the new face mask rules since November 2021?

From 30 November 2021 face masks became mandatory on public transport, in stations and indoor public places like shops, libraries, post offices and hairdressers.

This was previously the case from 15 June 2020 until 19 July 2021, and in November these rules came back into force.

The only difference now is that face masks are not compulsory when visiting hospitality locations including restaurants, bars and pubs, gyms, theatres and cinemas, although the government recommends wearing masks in all crowded settings.

For a comprehensive list of face mask rules, check out the latest government guidance.

Where do I have to wear a face mask?

Since a change in the law on November 30th, face coverings are now mandatory on public transport in England. They should be worn on buses, trains and taxis and inside transport hubs like airports and railway stations. Face masks were already mandatory in Wales and Northern Ireland on public transport and many indoor areas.

Face masks now must also be worn in shops and supermarkets and in many other indoor public places including post offices, pharmacies, takeaways, taxis, hairdressers, nail bars and many others.

For the latest government guidance on staying safe outside your home, including details about the risk of fines for not wearing a face covering, visit the official government website here.

How should I care for my reusable face mask?

Be sure to visit the WHO website for the latest guidance on how to wear your face mask, including washing it after each use.

Are reusable face masks better than disposable ones?

Both masks offer the same level of protection, and will trap droplets that are released when you talk, cough or sneeze, so strictly speaking neither is better.

However, it's definitely more economical and environmentally friendly to choose a reusable mask.

That's because rather than throwing it away after each use, as with a disposable mask, reusable face masks can be washed and reused.

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We tested: ISKO Vital's Supreme Face Cover

• Supreme Face Cover Shibori Grey Three Pack, from £12.95, from Amazon – buy here

As the world's largest producer of denim, ISKO has been developing innovative fabrics and textiles for over 100 years, so we were intrigued to hear about the company launching its own range of eco-friendly, washable face covers.

The masks, which come in a range of ten colours and three sizes, can be reused for up to 30 washes and feature the trademarked sanitized antimicrobial material protection—a technology that delivers silver ions to the face mask surface and is claimed to be able to kill 99% of micro-organisms.

It's approved as non-toxic (plus the masks are made from organic cotton with latex-free straps), but one thing we noticed with these masks is that they do tend to be quite strong-smelling upon first opening—so you might prefer to wash yours before the first use.

Aside from that, we found the masks to be super comfortable and breathable, and we definitely felt less claustrophobic wearing them, compared to other masks we've tried.

We tested: Casetify Reusable Cloth Mask

• Reusable Cloth Mask, £11, from CASETiFY – buy here

Made from cotton and in a choice of blue or pink, these reusable cloth masks by tech accessory brand Casetify include a donation of an FDA-approved surgical mask to a health worker in need.

So far they've donated 40,000 masks to Direct Relief and will continue to do so for every one of these masks sold. One for you, one for health workers: what could be better?

We tried them out to see if they're comfortable, breathable and worth the price paid.

First off, we have to mention how soft the cloth really is, it's lightweight and stretchy, making for a really comfortable day-in-day-out mask for running errands.

As the fabric is quite thin, you can slightly see the outline of your nose when wearing it, but not enough for that to be an issue.

We were surprised just how breathable they are, as each mask rises up high enough to properly cover your nose, and low enough to cover your chin too.

Pacamask Printed Masks

• Pacamask Doughnuts Print Face Mask, now £2.99, from Pacamask – buy here 

UK-based brand Pacamask has one of the best ranges of patterned masks we've seen – from the sugary doughnuts pictured here, to bananas, dinosaurs, monkeys and sunglasses.

There's also a good choice of block colours and everything comes in either adult or child sizes.

Each mask is made from Silver Ion treated material too, which, although won't necessarily offer additional protection against Covid, is scientifically proven to kill 99% of bacteria for up to 50 washes.

Handmade Face Masks from Etsy

1. Top left: GoldenxHour Silk Face Mask, £6.37, from Etsy – buy here
2. Top right: hannahschoice Triple Layer Face Mask With Nose Wire, from £4.49, from Etsy – buy here
3. Bottom left: EmerBarryShop Adjustable Organic Cotton Face Mask, £6, from Etsy – buy here
4. Bottom right: AnaLondon Soft Face Mask With Nose Wire and Filter Pocket, £4.49, from Etsy – buy here

For masks that are not only reusable but also support independent sellers, Etsy is a great place to shop.

Want to make a statement with your mask? These cotton floral print masks are sure to stand out, while the AnaLondon face mask has a fun pattern, plus space for a filter pocket.

Who says wearing a face mask can't be chic? The GoldenxHour Face Mask is made from slinky silk and looks effortlessly cool.

Or for something more plain and discreet, the plain and simple style in the top right is the one, plus it's designed with a nose wire to shape perfectly around your face.

Oliver Bonas Chambray and Striped Face Coverings

• Chambray & Striped Face Coverings Set of Three, £16, from Oliver Bonas – buy here

Oliver Bonas's filter-pocket face masks come in a selection of colourways, with fabric loops to go over your ears.

Machine washable and in packs of three, these sets are ideal for wearing throughout the week, making it super-easy to wear a fresh mask after each use.

You'll also be doing good as you follow the rules: £4 from each sale goes to the charity UK Youth, which helps young people access a range of youth services.

Vistaprint Patterned Masks

• Geometric mask, £17, from Vistaprint – buy here
• Sunrise mask, £17, from Vistaprint – buy here
• Flames mask, £17, from Vistaprint – buy here
• Sketched mask, £17, from Vistaprint – buy here

Designed with a replaceable filter system, Vistaprint's face masks promise a breathable and stretchy fit, with materials that wick away moisture.

The printing company will donate to local communities impacted by coronavirus for every sale of these masks, and there's also a range available for kids aged four and up.

Plus, not only do they look great but they're latex-free and machine washable.

ASOS Design Unisex Face Coverings

1. ASOS Design Unisex Five Pack Face Coverings with Adjustable Straps and Nose Clip in Bandana Prints, now £9.80, from ASOS – buy here

You can always rely on ASOS Design to deliver trend-led pieces, so it's no surprise their face mask offering is so eye-catching.

This pack of five masks features a series of fashion-forward bandana prints and they're unisex.

With a double-layer construction and adjustable fit, every purchase of ASOS Design masks also includes a £1 donation to Oxfam’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Appeal.

Hype Exclusive Adjustable Face Coverings

• Hype Exclusive Two Pack Face Covering with Adjustable Straps, £6.75, from ASOS – buy here

Calling all print lovers: this Hype two pack of face masks includes a space-age starry design and an on-trend colour block version.

Both masks have a pure cotton lining and linen-polyester blend outer. They're also washable and adjustable – and Hype has a good selection of kids' masks, too.

Ally Face Masks

• Ally Face Masks Core Collection, £14.99, from Ally – buy here 

Ally's face coverings have nanofiber filters sewn into each mask, which blocks up to 95 per cent of airborne particles— compared to the 30 to 40 per cent offered by standard cotton masks. They're also effective for up to 20 washes and come with a handy resealable ziplock back to store your mask away when you don't need it.

Available in adults and kids sizes, these simple masks come in a choice of plain block colours, or limited edition 'heroes' designs if you want to show your solidarity with NHS workers.

100 per cent of profits from the latter will be donated to the NHS worker's charity, HEROES: an organisation that is providing a lifeline to NHS workers at a time of cuts and underfunding.

Falke Face Masks

• Falke Two Pack Face mask, available in a range of colours, £7.50, from Falke – buy here

Sport, hosiery and fashion brand, Falke, is a go-to for premium accessories, so naturally, you can expect its face masks to be of high-quality and construction.

The German brand claims the masks are especially suitable for glasses wearers, while the quick-drying material makes them ideal for quick reuse.

Crafted from a two-layer fabric, the outside of the mask is moisture-repellent, while the inside is moisture-absorbing. It's also washable at 95°C and comes in an array of bright hues and classic shades.

Outerknown Recycled Cotton Masks

• Outerknown Recycled Cotton Masks Three Pack, £28, from Outerknown – buy here

Surfer Kelly Slater's brand, Outerknown, is brilliant for its quality, sustainable fabrics and is now producing face masks in cool blue hues and stripy patterns.

They're made from 100 per cent cotton by The New Denim Project, which takes pre-consumer textile waste from spinning mills and turns it into a fresh fibre, so they're an ultra-eco option.

The masks are machine washable and the pleats and elastic ear straps offer a comfy, snug fit.

Liberty London Assorted Upcycled Tana Lawn Cotton Face Coverings

•  Liberty London Assorted Upcycled Tana Lawn Cotton Face Coverings Pack of Five, £45, from Liberty London – buy here

Liberty London is famed worldwide for its highly sought after prints and these eye-catching face masks are made from some of their most classic fabrics.

The masks have a three-layer construction and they're made from the brand's Tana Lawn cotton.

Each pack of five masks comes in randomly assorted patterns, so it's a wonderful surprise when they arrive on your doorstep.

Brora's Cotton Face Mask in Liberty Fabric

• Cotton Face Mask in Liberty Fabric, £19, from Brora – buy here

Another British brand giving back, Brora has raised over £300,000 for NHS Charities Together through the sales of their pretty face masks.

Now they've hit their target, they're donating £10 from every mask sold to other charities supporting those affected by Covid-19.

Made using Liberty print fabric, each mask has elastic ear straps, an adjustable nose clip and comes in various patterns.

Amazon's Face Mask Store

• Top left: Sanetta Face Mask in white (lips), £4.80, from Amazon – buy here
• Top right: Urban Classics Skull Face Mask, £12.72, from Amazon – buy here
• Bottom left: Sanetta Unisex Face Mask (teeth), £8.94, from Amazon – buy here
• Bottom right: Sanetta Face Mask in white (faces), £16.92, from Amazon – buy here

Struggling to wade through the many choices of face masks out there? Amazon's nifty Face Mask Store is handily organised, allowing you to shop by mask type (reusable, disposable, medical certified, PPE) and pack size.

We're particularly loving the Sanetta range of fashion masks, which come in a range of playful designs including the lips graphic — perfect for adding a touch of humour.

Habac Studio Mulberry Silk Face Masks

• Habac Studio Mulberry Silk Face Masks, £13.99, from Amazon – buy here

Comfort may not be the first thing you associate with face masks, but if you shop around and check reviews you'll be surprised at how comfy some are in comparison to others.

Habac masks have been rated by reviewers for their quality and breathability, with one shopper praising the fit: 'comfy for ears with glasses, gentle on my nose which has been suffering with paper masks. So soft.'

They're made from 100 per cent mulberry silk, which feels lightweight and cool on the skin, they offer two layers of protection and have an ergonomic shape to fit around your face.

There's also a huge array of block colours and a few patterns to choose from, so you can have a matching face mask for every outfit.

Alice and Olivia Abbi Structured Face Mask

• Alice and Olivia Abbi Structured Face Mask, £12.07, from Alice and Olivia – buy here

New York clothing company Alice and Olivia are another brand doing something positive through the sale of face masks.

They've been donating $1 from every purchase of their striking coverings to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, which provides meals to children in need.

Available in 14 colourways, we're particularly loving this bright yellow print, which is perfect for showing off quirky style.

Mimi & Lula Polka Dot Kids Face Covering

• Mimi & Lula Polka Dot Print Face Covering Ages Three to 12 by Mimi & Lula, £5, from Selfridges – buy here

This cute face mask by Mimi & Lula is suitable for ages three to 12 and features elasticated adjustable ear straps and an inner pocket to place your own optional filter.

The striking monochrome polka dot print will please even the most stylish of kids and pre-teens.

Crafted from cotton, it's fitted with a 3D nose and chin structure for a good fit and is water-resistant on the outside.

Style Cheat Animal Print Face Covering Pack

• Style Cheat 5 Pack Animal Print, now £27.99, from Style Cheat – buy here

Style Cheat has a large range of washable face masks to choose from.

Whether you're after plain, floral, animal print or polka dot prints, they have them all.

Choose an individual mask, or purchase one of their value-for-money packs. We love this set of five masks, which feature an array of animal prints – perfect for a style-conscious wearer.

Trtl Protect Face Mask in Leopard

• Trtl Protect Face Mask, £218.74, from Trtl – buy here

There are three different ways to wear the Trtl Protect Mask, which comes in two sizes.

We suggest opting for a plus size one if you have a large beard, or simply want to use it as a fashion scarf (one of its wearable modes).

The mask features a magnetised fold design which comes in handy when you want to adjust the mask on the move.

You can simply wash it and re-use it, and you can find more information about the fitting here.

Paisie Adjustable Face Mask

• Paisie Adjustable Face Mask, £6, from Paisie – buy here 

London-based womenswear brand, Paisie, has created a stylish line of face masks at cost price.

Available in a range of low-key tones and stripe designs, they're designed using the company's offcuts of cotton to make production as sustainable as possible.

Each mask features wiring around the nose, elastic loops and a two-layer fabric to allow you to insert your own filter.

More from Sun Selects fashion

Enjoyed our guide for the best reusable face masks? You may enjoy our selection of the best maternity coats to buy right now.

We've also rounded up the best cashmere socks to keep your toes toasty this winter.

And check out more fashion tips from Sun Selects fashion here.

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