How to Wear a Moustache Like a Star (And Not Like an Idiot)

Sharp November 19, 2014

There are many reasons to attempt to grow a moustache: fashion, rebellion, being stranded on a desert island. But the most valiant attempts happen at a certain time of year, for a certain cause. Say what you will about the ‘stache, Movember is an unstoppable good-cause machine.

Most will attempt the full-blown Mo at some point or another, be it for the benefit of the cause or otherwise—but only a few will succeed. In honor of raising awareness for men’s health for Movember, here’s a list of some famous movie staches’ to aspire to, and a few to avoid.

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Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat

Sacha Baron Cohen’s breakout role consisted of a heavy accent, heavy humour and a heavy moustache. The facial fur was the most Kazakhstani thing about Borat and it helped viewers believe the character that launched Baron’s career. Very nice!

Charlie Chaplin in City Lights

The words moustache and Charlie Chaplin are almost synonymous. The iconic actor donned this signature short and bristly moustache in the majority of his classic films in the 1930s. It was a great look until a certain over-ambitious German commander came along. Not even Michael Jordan could bring it back.

Daniel Day Lewis in Gangs of New York

Daniel Day Lewis’ acting chops don’t need any follicles to keep us watching, but G-Dang if they don’t help! There’s something about his hefty upper lip that completely dominates over Leonardo DiCaprio’s barely-there scruff.

Dustin Hoffman in Hook

One of the most infamous villains in storybook lore needs to have the very definition of a villainous moustache. Captain Hook’s is long, curved and thin—and has a mind of its own. Definitely suitable for the evilest of all pirates in Neverland.

George Clooney in O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Clooney has made a few questionable decisions over the years—remember that one time he played Batman? But there’s nothing questionable about the man’s facial hair. The actor has demonstrated several ways to wear a moustache in movies like Oceans 13 and Monuments Men over the years. Our favorite however, is his trimmed-to-perfection moustache in O Brother, Where Art Thou.

Groucho Marx in Duck Soup

With eyebrows as thick as his moustache, it’s impossible to ignore Groucho Marx in Duck Soup for this list. The actor created a trademark look for himself in the 1930s, and although he once opted to paste on his moustache, he eventually grew it himself. You can buy the look for yourself (or for your 8-year-old) at your local dollar store.

Matt Dillon in There’s Something About Mary

A thin moustache can be sophisticated, just so long as it’s not accompanied by a propensity for stalking pretty women. If you’re going to sport this look, you’d better have the confidence—and some pretty thick skin.

Clark Gabel in Gone With The Wind

Thanks to weirdos like Matt Dillon’s character in the previous slide, all the work (effortless though it seemed) that Clark Gable went into making his thin moustache seem dapper was practically lost. Which means he put up with Scarlett O’Hara for nothing! Maybe he should give a damn.

Sam Elliott in The Big Lebowski

Gentlemen, take note. This is a moustache. Playing a mysterious cowboy with some serious insight on everyone, Sam Elliott left men everywhere jealous of his silver, bristly, manly moustache that completely engulfed his mouth. With a feather duster like that, you don’t ask for respect—you just get it.

Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction

Samuel L. Jackson’s character in Pulp Fiction, Jules Winnfield, needs no introduction. That ‘stache (an impressive handlebar, complete with soul patch and kicking, hockey-stick sideburns) was as slick as his dialogue and even slicker than the Jheri curl.

Tom Selleck in Three Men and a Baby

You can thank Tom Selleck for those awesome vintage photos of your mustachioed uncles. The actor wore his facial hair in the 80’s with the utmost confidence in movies like Mr.Baseball and Three Men and a Baby.

Will Ferrell in Anchorman

Sometime between the 1970s and today, moustaches like this (which is to say, bushy as hell!) fell out of fashion and into comedy. Ferrell provides the case study as the delusional TV personality in the comedy classic Anchorman.