#propercloth

I’ve gone through a few cloth face mask designs over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early on, I wore a mask lovingly handmade by a close friend. The design featured two sets of ties, and even included a moldable metal nose bridge. While I appreciated the care that went into the mask, the double tie closure was a bit of hassle for running errands, and the nose bridge slipped out of position after the mask went through the wash.

Looking for an alternative, I picked up a few denim face masks from Brave Star Selvage. I quickly grew to appreciate the convenience of elastic around-the-ear straps, as you can see on my Instagram. I wore these for a few months, but as the pandemic dragged on and the masks went through repeated washes, they started to smell musty.

My wife had earlier switched from Brave Star Selvage masks to Proper Cloth Over-the-Head Every Day Masks. She’d wanted something that fit more securely and covered more of her face, and I suggested Proper Cloth after seeing a few recommendations. They worked out great.

Needing a replacement for my denim masks, I was pleased to discover that Proper Cloth has an around-the-ear version Everyday mask. I picked up a 3-pack, and after wearing them for two months, I can say that I’ll probably be sticking with these as long as wearing face masks is a thing. The fit is great, comfortably covering most of my face, with a moldable metal nose bridge that stays in place. They come with an air filter that’s washable and reusable. And, of course, there’s the around-the-ear elastic bands—as soon as my wife saw how convenient they were, she switched to them, too.

The masks are available for $25 a piece or $50 for a 3-pack.

BUY: Proper Cloth Around-the-Ear Everyday Mask, $25