Masks for all day - YouLookFab Forum

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Masks for all day

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've made some of my own masks and bought some others - Universal Standard, Madewell, and Boden, among others. But I haven't found one that feels right yet, especially for long periods. I know masks are always going to be a bit annoying, but has anyone found one that they don't mind wearing all day long? I have to wear one at my retail job and would be willing to spend a little more if it stayed put and didn't need adjusting.

I wear glasses (and a walkie earpiece in one ear when I'm working) and have a fairly big face/head. Until recently it's been really humid here and thicker and knit fabrics don't seem to work well with the weather. Any suggestions happily welcomed.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

kellygirl

Veteran

IKWYM. I get annoyed wearing them for short periods of time. My current favorite is the Old Navy adjustable ones that MaryK recommended. They don't work great with glasses though unless you put the nosepiece on top of the mask--and even then, it's not 100%. I like the adjustable part because it doesn't put dents in my face when worn for long periods.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Have you tried the disposable paper masks yet? We got a box of 50 to try them out and I'm finding them easy to wear. They're a lot lighter than my fabric masks, and talking feels easier. (They don't muffle my voice as much as the fabric masks.) I still wear both.

AndiB

Veteran

Pixie masks on etsy are amazing. I’ve tried various masks, including Johnny Was (ok in a pinch, lovely patterns, but big and gappy, not a snug fit. The pixi are so well fitting! Made of almost a canvas, but light, two layer, filter pocket, adjustable elastic ear straps. I got solids, leopard (!!!), and florals. Because of the way they are designed they just really stay on your face, don’t slip. Not cheap at $10 each I think but so worth it. Let me look for link

ETA link. https://www.etsy.com/listing/7.....#038;pro=1

Runcarla

Veteran

The shape AndiB links to is super, duper easy to make. Sews up in 10 minutes - no lie! It’s also called the origami or 3-D mask. (Lots of tutorials online.). When the local quilting store ran out of muslin (what I was using as backing) I ended up using a high quality men’s shirt out of the donate bag. The fabric was so much nicer against the face, that I’m recycling fine cotton shirts from thrift. The most I’ve worn a mask is 4 hours straight. I’m making masks for DS#2 for when he goes from remote to on campus in November. I’m making 18 so that he can have 2-3 per day without a laundry bottleneck. He likes the pleated masks, as does DS#1 (who wears home made pleated masks or paper masks at work.) I like the 3-D mask. DH likes the Marfy version rachylou posted 6 months ago.

#1 Marfy Style

#2 pleated style

#3-4 3-D (origami) mask

*FWIW, no mask is really comfortable, but with the weather turning cooler, I’m finding they are easier to wear.

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rachylou

Veteran

So far I like the Marfy best for 8+ hours. Have not tried the origami. Glasses are tricky tho - my only success in preventing fogging is to put them over the cloth. One guy I know swears a mask and kerchief takes care of the fogging problem.

lisaflex

Veteran

light weight - anthropologie - sanctuary brand masks.
also got a cute comfy medium weight from a local store that is selling online - Knuth's- got the camp print and love it.

the Karen Kane masks were not so good - odd shapes, etc.

the universal thread from target masks are ok. not the best quality but fine, - dont think an all day wear would work for those imho.

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I really like the Karen Kane masks - I teach in them, and they are very breathable and comfy for me. I have a wider face and they fit me well.

Anonymous

I wear a mask for the majority of an 8 hour shift , 4 days a week . I have found the lightweight neoprene versions with a centre front vertical seam and self/ cut out ear pieces work best for me . Odor free ( my own breath ) and moisture- free . Doesn’t get sucked into my mouth and nose while talking . Here’s me at my desk right now

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cindysmith

Veteran

I found some headwrap things at Walmart, a 2 pack for $3.88, that were very similar to those neck gaiters things. Very breathable, knit so it stretches, and fairly neutral color combinations
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tim.....ected=true

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Echo

Veteran

Every person will be different as far as what they find comfortable. My daughter likes the ones that are a stiffer material and stitched down the center so they stand away from her face a bit. My son likes the ones with straps that go around his head instead of his ears.

Personally, I haven't found anything more comfortable than the masks from Thompson Tees. The white ones look like underwear, so I would avoid those, but the other colors are great. They're a soft t-shirt material, double layered for safety (there's questionable research on the safety of the thin neck gators, for example), and the ear loops are the same soft cotton and not a rough elastic.

I wear a mask all day, every day for 8 or 9 hours at a time.

https://thompsontee.com/face-m.....-face-mask

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mask comfort is a tricky business! Lots of varied preferences, and horses for courses.

I wear a mask with a filter that can be inserted and removed. More protection. The Karen Kane masks that I altered myself fit the best and are the most comfortable. They were very big, but after altering fit well. They have ear loops and the pleats keep them close but a little away from my mouth and nostrils. Excellent coverage. The least claustrophobic, and stay put with specs and rain.

Or a medical mask.

I’ve worn them for no longer than 3 hrs in one stretch yet. But wear them many times a day.

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CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have been wearing masks regularly since April. Usually 4-8 hours with some breaks here and there. I wear three kinds: 1) lightweight medical/disposable blue masks (easy to breathe in), 2) stretchy black masks pictured below, the exact same kind as Lisa P wears with the vertical seam, and 3) the Karen Kane masks which are my grocery store/leave in my car masks. The Karen Kane masks are big on me so I can't see that well in them, so I don't work in them.

The stretchy black masks are available on Amazon from different sellers, I buy them in multi-packs.

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RobinF

Veteran

So interesting how different styles work for different people - makes sense of course! I had some knit polyester ones early on that are soft but suck in when I breathe, drove me crazy, and were kind of hot as the weather warmed up. I made some cotton ones with the center seam that are much better and want to try to make some of the 3-D or pleated ones.

Roberta

Veteran

I bought a pack of Johnny Was masks back in April (!!!) and am still wearing them, alternated with disposables. I am finding that the newer disposable masks shed fluff on the blue side, so I wear them inside out.

But I really appreciate all the recommendations from trusted voices! I want to try the style that has a seam down the front because they look like they will fit my face better.

unfrumped

Veteran

Some of the so-called duckface type masks - these are paper/ disposable-that stick out in front are favored by some of my former colleagues— more room for talking also , if that’s In your day. Probably somewhat like the 3-D masks.
Neck gaiters are not allowed by our Healrh Dept.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

RobinF, the Boden ones are knit jersey and they get sucked into my mouth. Basically unwearable if you have to do a lot of talking. Too bad since the prints are cute. I forgot to mention the Gymwrap ones which were the most airy this summer, but the straps are a little thicker and aren’t great with my earpiece for work.

I ordered one of the Pixie masks and it’s already shipped, so I’ll report back. I’ve sewn the pleated style and the center seam style but not the origami style yet, although I have a link to a pattern to try. I got a little burnt out on making masks after I sewed 100+ in March/April for friends and donations.

I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and hope others have found this conversation useful too.

Anonymous

I think the origami style will be the most comfortable for all day, and they don't fog glasses.

Staysfit

Veteran

Get a face mask frame to hold the mask away from your face. It keeps them cooler and also dryer since your breath adds moisture....

Cee

Veteran

I go old school.

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