From left, the chevron moustache on Tom Selleck; David Niven with his pencil moustache and the walrus style of Otto von Bismarck.

“Modern grooming has introduced a new wave of interest in moustaches, especially among young men experimenting with vintage or ‘new fashion’ looks,” writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS.

“I love a man with a moustache. And luckily for me, I’ve found a man who loves a woman with one.” –Barbara Pike.

I once tried growing a moustache but ended up looking like blackmarket spiv Private Joe Walker in Dad’s Army, so shaved it off.

Moustaches have largely been confined to males and have for centuries been a symbol of masculinity, fashion, status, rebellion and cultural identity. They have varied widely in style, popularity, and meaning across different times and societies.

The moustache dates back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence shows that warriors in ancient Iran, Egypt and India often wore moustaches as part of their grooming.

In 300 BC, Alexander the Great reportedly ordered his soldiers to shave their beards to avoid enemies grabbing them in battle but told them they could keep their moustaches.

In European history, moustaches were often seen as a sign of nobility and sophistication. During the 19th century, especially in the British and Austro-Hungarian empires, elaborate moustaches were worn by army officers and symbolised discipline and rank.

In contrast, in some Asian cultures, such as Imperial China, a moustache was associated with age and wisdom.

By the 20th century, moustaches had taken on more varied meanings. In the early 1900s, they were fashionable among the elite.

Later, in the ’40s and ’50s, many men shaved them off in favour of a clean cut look. The ’60s and ’70s saw a resurgence of moustaches as part of the counterculture and sexual liberation movements. Icons such as Tom Selleck and Burt Reynolds made the moustache a symbol of rugged masculinity in the ’80s.

There are many distinct moustache styles, each with its own flair. Popular ones include:

• Handlebar: Curved upward at the ends, requiring waxing and grooming.
• Chevron: Thick and wide, covering the upper lip, famously worn by Tom Selleck.
• Pencil: Thin and neatly trimmed, associated with mid-20th-century elegance – as with David Niven (and spivs).
• Horseshoe: A bold, biker-associated style extending down the sides of the mouth.
• Walrus: Bushy and full, covering much of the mouth, as with Otto von Bismarck and John Bolton.

Modern grooming has introduced a new wave of interest in moustaches, especially among young men experimenting with vintage or “new fashion” looks.

Growing a moustache requires patience, care and upkeep. Trimming tools, moustache wax, and specialised combs help maintain its shape. Hygiene is important – an unkempt moustache can trap mucus, food and bacteria. Proper grooming enhances not just appearance but comfort.

Moustaches also carry symbolic weight. For instance, Movember, held each November, encourages men to grow moustaches to raise awareness for men’s health problems such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. This global movement has revitalised the moustache as a socially engaged style choice.

At times, moustaches have also been politicised. Adolf Hitler’s distinctive “toothbrush” moustache made that style largely taboo in the West. In contrast, revolutionary figures such as Fidel Castro or Che Guevara used moustache-and-beard combinations to project ideological defiance.

In summary, the moustache is more than just facial hair – it’s a cultural artifact and a fashion statement that continues to evolve, shaped by modern trends and individual expression.

On a lighter note: Jake the hillbilly takes his girlfriend Lulu-Ann out in his new convertible to show off the car and drive around the downtown area. 

After a while they stop at Maccas for a thick shake, where Jake forgetfully locks the keys in the car. Lulu-Ann says helpfully she will go look for a coat hanger or something to use to force the door open. Jake says, “You’re one in a million Lulu-Ann. Most gals would have been mad at me and wouldn’t have known what to do. But you’d better hurry, there’s a storm building and I left the top down.”

And: An elderly man is driving to Goulburn along the highway when his wife calls on his mobile phone. He knows he shouldn’t answer but can see it’s his wife calling so picks up the phone. 

She says: “I’m so worried John. You need to be careful – there’s a report on the news of a car driving the wrong way on the highway to Goulburn.

John replies: “Typical of the media – they’ve got it all wrong, it’s not just one car, it’s hundreds of them.”

Clive Williams is a Canberra columnist