Forget About The Beard: Grow A Moustache!

I would love to know when society arrived at the mutual understanding that moustaches are “creepy.” Something so archaic, goofy, and “improper” that the only time it is ever acceptable to sport one is for one month of the year as a fundraiser.

Now do not get me wrong here: Movemeber is a super important movement. Men’s health is no joke, and many of us shy away from opening up on our best days. If the moustache can be used to create a space where we can have those difficult but essential conversations, that is a great thing.

Unfortunately, for all the good that Movemeber brings in terms of awareness and fundraising for men’s health, it comes at the moustaches expense.

Wait How?

By encouraging men to grow out a moustache for one month of the year, we utilize society’s perception of the moustache ( hypersexual, macho, pretentious, creepy, etc.) and thus reinforce it. If you, like many, sport a moustache for just that one month, you are inadvertently saying: “This thing is so ridiculous but let’s all look ridiculous together for a good cause.”

It is a worthy cause… but moustaches are not ridiculous: they are fantastic. So you should trade in that beard, or upgrade your baby face, to rock one for more than just one month of the year.

Sadly

With some bitterness, I have resigned myself to the fact that moustaches will probably never be on par with beards or a simple clean-shaven look in terms of popularity. But, in the same way that rock music is kept alive by a select few, the moustache will never entirely disappear. There will always be Movemeber, hipsters, and bartenders to keep the look afloat.

Yet the more men choose to keep a sweater on their upper lip, the better because the mustache has magnetism and boldness that no beard can ever match. To wear a mustache, you need to embrace its polarizing nature. If you’re up to the task, you have yourself a shameless attention grab, conversation starter, and a testament to your boldness. Why restrict limit yourself to just one month’s worth of moustache power when you can use its greatness year-round? That’s the way I see it. Plus.. there are so many styles to choose from!!

The first time I began flirting with a moustache was in February of 2020. I am blessed with quick-growing facial hair genetics, so I had something quite formidable before too long. After the initial wave of “that’s creepy” or “nice pedo-stache” comments, I was able to appreciate standing out. I loved knowing that I had what very few men are bold enough to try. I stood out like a sore thumb, but I loved it. I do not wear a moustache year-round, probably half the time, but when I sport that upper lip sweater, I always notice some things.

– People are more likely to approach me
– Lots of looks
– Fewer boring conversations
– I feel more willing to stand out in other ways
– More confidence
– I run faster (I’m superstitious so let me have this one)

Inspiration

The first moustache I saw that had an impression on me was my father’s. He didn’t have one at the time, nor has he ever so long as I’ve been around, but I came across his RCMP depot photo. I remember thinking how cool he looked in an offbeat sort of way. The chevron shape, the Mountie uniform, it all just worked. The man in this photo was clearly my dad, but he had a particular “it” factor that the middle-aged, greying dude I knew just didn’t.

I encourage you to start looking and find a style that speaks to you. Here are some moustaches that inspired and shaped my devotion to the look to get you started. As you will see: I have a clear preference for the “Chevron” style.

Frank Shorter – (U.S Marathon Runner)