Sneaking peeks at each other's face coverings has become part of our everyday, and choosing the one for you can be as important as picking a new hair colour. Plain or patterned? Bright or dark?
There are more options out there than ever, from simple ones in aid of charity to vintage handmade versions. Luxury brands can never stay out of new trends for long, though.
Burberry has become the first major designer brand to launch a collection of face coverings, in the brand's iconic nude check print and a blue shade.
Burberry face mask in signature check made from "antimicrobial" fabric https://t.co/G791vwxD2c pic.twitter.com/sF4y3m6vwk
— urbanbike (@urbanbike) August 21, 2020
Mindful of the fact that face coverings are a public health necessity in many countries rather than the hottest fashion accessory, few major brands and retailers have been quick to launch their own designs.
The British Fashion Council led the charge early on in the pandemic when it rallied together labels like Rixo, Halpern, Mulberry, Julien Macdonald and more who designed masks for charity.
However, Burberry's collection comes with the added plus of being sustainable, as the masks are made from leftover material from designs. According to the brand's website, 20% of the sale of the masks will go to the Burberry Foundation Covid-19 Community Fund, which is operated by The Burberry Foundation.
Featuring the brand's timeless Nova Check print, the masks come in two different colours: classic tan and a pale, dusty blue. With intricate stitching along the seams, Burberry are clearing bringing their tailoring acumen to their face coverings as the pieces look like the most luxurious ones we've seen yet.
They're functional as well as striking, made with antimicrobial technology and provide Particle Filtration Efficiency (PFE).
At £90 a pop, though, – roughly €110 – it's still an impossible indulgence for most of us.
While the face masks aren't for sale yet, they are "coming soon", so if you know someone who takes pride in their mask collection, this might be an option for them.
