hi. surgical mask and textile mask are effective for the same reason: they make it hard to breathe.
there might be some benefits of the surgical mask in absorption of fluids but some textile masks have a pocket to put in a single use paper filter (maybe a sheet of toilet paper) to help absorb fluids.

the reason its so bad to be able to breathe well is because when you project your breath u project aerosol particles, while with mask the speed of the air is limited and the aerosol cloud remains near you. Hence the mask is effective in stopping you infect others around you.

Masks can also stop your self from getting infected by corona virus as a hong kong study showed that sprayed hamster cages with corona virus, and 75% less hamsters were infected in cages with a textile covering over their cage.

ofcourse its not as affective as single use N95 masks but these are scarce and hence should be reserved to medical workers. im also not so happy about disposing "single use" surgical masks as currently we have a global mask shortage. also the prices of such masks have skyrocketed.

masks can be a fashion statement. ive seen masks being sold with clothing in a way that they match. ive seen trikinis, masks that match your bikini. but can be a political statement, by having them display ur political view point. meanwhile they also keep u safe.