WITH a week to go before face coverings are compulsory while shopping, it is time to get yours.

But which is best for your needs? Whether you want to stand out in the crowd, twin with your family or put comfort and safety over style, there is a mask for you.

Here, Clemmie Fieldsend looks at ten of the best from the High Street, rating them out of five.

Most practical

Wolford plain black, £20, wolfordshop.co.uk

AT the higher end of the price scale but it is treated with a UV light to kill bacteria, viruses and germs.

It comes up high on the bridge of the nose, low under the chin and covers full cheeks. Made with soft, bra-like material for comfort. Waterproof and breathable, too. Wash at 60 degrees.

My favourite mask.

RATING: 5/5

Most trendy

Bandana-style floral and space print, £12 for two asos.com

MADE with double-layered fabric, with an adjustable fit around the ears.

Doesn’t hug your chin, but this makes it feel like you have room to breathe.

Disclaimer states it’s not a medical device, but it will tick the box for wearing a mask.

Wash at 40 degrees.

RATING: 3/5

Most dressy

Pink diamante, £10, nastygal.com

WANT to add some bling to your one-metre-aparty in the park? This is the one for you. Baby pink and covered in diamantes, it has ruched sides and adjustable ties for your ears.

But brand states it “is for accessory purposes only and should not be used as personal protection equipment.”

No washing guidance.   

RATING: 2/5

Most breathable

Black with vent, £5 prettylittlething.com

MASKS with filters make you feel like you’re getting a more medical mask, but not always.

This “filter” is essentially a ­breathing valve so you feel less smothered but it is not a filter to catch particles.

Brand states that it “is not PPE equipment” and does not claim any medical benefits of using this product.

RATING: 4/5

Most family friendly

Multi-coloured printed, £12.95 for three, gap.co.uk

STRETCHY over-the-ear straps and an adjustable wire at the nose mean comfort and a good fit, as well as fully covering the mouth and nose.

The mask comes with triple-layered cotton, which the World Health Organisation requires.

But Gap does state that the masks are not “medical grade”.

RATING: 5/5

Most value

George at Asda, £2.50 for two, direct.asda.com

GEORGE at Asda’s unisex masks come in black or white.

They have elasticated straps for comfort and a secure fit, can be machine washed and their elastic polyamide material means they dry quickly.

They are great value but the brand states the masks are not a “medical device”.

RATING: 4/5

Most eco-friendly

Pack of 5 multi-coloured, £30, boden.co.uk

END of fabric rolls have been put to good use with these.

The ear straps have elastic inside them for comfort and fit, plus they all have an internal wire in the top for a snug fit on the bridge of your nose.

Made from two layers of jersey fabrics with a non- woven filter bonded in between. Machine washable.

RATING: 5/5

Most disposable

Boots, £30 for pack of 50

THIS pack is a bargain. But unlike fabric masks these cannot be washed or re-used.

Made from three layers of “skin-friendly” fabrics, with an adjustable nose bridge.

They offer 95 per cent ­bacterial filtration efficiency and state that while they will not prevent Covid-19 they “will minimise the risk of ­transition”.

RATING: 4/5

Most natural

Lavender Hill Clothing, £25 for pack of three, lavenderhillclothing.com

THESE are 100 per cent cotton, which is gentle on skin and lets it breathe.

The masks are double layered and have an “antibacterial finish”, which means they apply a spray to the fabric to deter bacterial growth.

The brand states they are “non-medical masks”.

RATING: 5/5

Most tech-savvy

Everyday 95, £19.99, breathe-happy.com

WHAT these white and blue silicone masks lack in style they make up for in substance.

They claim to be the world’s first reusable masks to have 95 per cent filtration.

Price includes the mask itself and five replaceable ­filters.

The brand advises a filter switch every seven days.

RATING: 5/5

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