The sad and curious exile of the American mustache

Boston Globe ^ | October 11, 2009 | Wesley Morris

[GQuagmire]

...What happened? For the past 20 years, a parade of facial hair has taken root on the faces of movie stars and American men - sideburns, the three-day beard, the chinstrap, the soul patch. The goatee returned from the 19th century and seemingly brought eight cousins with it. But the mustache? As far as pop culture is concerned, the mustache remains trapped in the land of porn and irony.

[GQuagmire]

I'm a proud wearer of a goatee for the last fifteen years. Recently I went a mustache only.. for about 5 minutes. It looked ridiculous. Shaved everything and three days later...goatee was back.

[Borges]

[Yossarian]

Once it was done by Tom Selleck, it just couldn't be topped.

It was kind of like being the first to reach the North Pole. After it's been done, what's the point in following up?

[clintonh8r]

Goatees were great back when you started yours...the sign of a non-conformist, and slightly dangerous. Now every other guy seems to have one.

[jessduntno]

A REAL mustache. Remember?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b389/johnnybluejeans500/FINGERS85LEAF.jpg

[GQuagmire]

Not to mention that it has more grey than brown in it....

[grey_whiskers]

I believe *thud* is the appropriate comment from female FReepers in this case?

I know my wife still reacts this way to him.

Cheers!

[buccaneer81]

I hear they're making a comeback...

[clintonh8r]

I have a dear old friend (for more than 50 years!) who is the leading indicator of the death of a fashion trend. He’s always been the last to adopt.....Italian horn necklace, gold chain, sideburns, mullett, tattoo, etc....and about six months ago: shaved head and goatee. Over! (I hope he starts wearing mansandals soon!)

[Clemenza]

THIS is a mustache!:

[clintonh8r]

I forgot to mention his ponytail...

[GQuagmire]

I hope that’s not a photo of you.....

[Clemenza]

I had a 'stache a la Father Guido Sarducci when I was 18, which I grew into a full goatee a year later.

I have always had a leather jacket, but never went all the way with the eagle cap...

[GQuagmire]

Hey, I like the mansandals. Keeps the feet aired out.

[Squantos]

Wow !!!

There’s a nightmare....

[Clemenza]

I haven’t seen a “guinea horn” outside of the Sicillian-American mileau.

[Mmogamer]

I’ve had a mustache since highschool.. shaved it off twice.
Look really odd without it so..

[EricT.]

I’ve switched between a full beard and a goatee on and off for the last 10 years, but only because I hate shaving— especially upper lip and chin.

[I see my hands]

[GeorgiaDawg32]

I’ve had a mustache since I was 18..cut it off once when I was 20, immediately grew it back and it’s been with me ever since..

I tried a goatee, but the growth pattern on the right side of my face means half of it grows straight down (left), the other half makes an immediate right turn towards my ear (right). Unless I keep it super short, it looks ridiculous..