In 1990, in the small town of Hofen, Germany, something happened that would change the grooming world forever. It was here that the first official World Beard and Mustache Championship would be held.
While most of us are unlikely to ever reach a world championship level moustache, that doesn't mean we shouldn't grow one. You can still pull off a pretty great moustache, even if you can't go the full Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain.
When it comes to moustache styles, you have a lot of great options, even if you don't have much facial hair to work with. We'll discuss some popular moustache styles in this article.
1. The Chevron
Also called the Selleck, after its most famous wearer, the Chevron is the moustache that defined the moustache for the last few generations.
The chevron can be difficult to grow, and often takes time. It's also best suited to those with thicker hair. It also helps to have straight hair, as the simplicity of the chevron is one of its hallmarks.
If you do have thick, straight hair, chevron moustaches are an excellent choice. In addition to looking great, they're also easy to maintain.
Like most hair, moustaches should be washed regularly, but you can do this while you're in the shower. You'll need to shave every once in a while to keep its shape, and you should comb it so it doesn't get too unruly, but that's it.
2. The Pencil
Some of us can't grow much facial hair, but you don't need to for a pencil moustache. Unlike the chevron, a pencil moustache rests just above the top lip and is only about the thickness of a pencil.
Much like the Chevron, the pencil moustache is a homage to the past. While the chevron has its roots in the 1970s and 80s, the pencil goes back to the 40s.
The most famous wearer of the pencil moustache was the quintessential romantic lead, Clarke Gable. Gable may have popularized the pencil moustache during his performance as Rhett Butler in 1939's Gone with the Wind.
Pencil moustaches require a fair bit of grooming. They need to be trimmed daily to maintain their thin shape.
3. The Walrus
The walrus is another iconic moustache that's made a name for itself in Hollywood. It often shows up in westerns, adorning the face of the gruff old sheriff or the leader of the outlaw gang.
The walrus traces its origins to the 1800s and has since seen a lot of use. One of the most extravagant walrus moustaches was worn by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
The walrus is ideal for those who can grow long, thick facial hair. It's supposed to expand past the top lip and look somewhat unkempt. The look works best when all other facial hair is kept trimmed.
Moustache Styles to Know
People have come up with many different moustache styles over the years, and for every hair type imaginable. We've talked about some of the most popular styles in this article.
If you want to know more about style and grooming for the modern man, please visit our site. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.