Macho for Mustaches - The Imperial

The Imperial

There’s something to be said about pulling out all the stops when you’re setting out to grow facial hair. A lot of people consider going with the Fu Manchu, which can be handsome but also aggressive. For those looking to take perhaps a more subtle approach to the stache - there's the Imperial. This style of mustache is characterized by whiskers that grow on the cheeks and upper lips, with the cheek whiskers pointed upward at their ends. By learning more about this mustache, you may find out that it's the perfect stache for you. It is a style that simply belongs on our Top 10 Movember Mustaches list.

Origin and Examples in History
While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Imperial mustache first came to prominence, the similarities between it and the English style mustache point to its origin being sometime during the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, it began to take hold in America and quickly became the mustache of choice. The imperial has been worn by celebrities such as Frank Zappa and Geraldo Rivera.

The Look
The most important thing to keep in mind when embracing the imperial mustache is to keep all aspects of your face clean-shaven except for the body of the stache. This way, you can control its growth and appearance without allowing things to get out of hand. You’ll also want to use a combination of wax and a comb in order to curl the ends of the stache upwards. This can be tricky, but stick with it because practice makes perfect.

Incorporating it Into an Ensemble
Wearing an Imperial is all about looking and feeling your dapper best. Embrace the power and panache of this facial hair and wear well-tailored blazers and shirts. With the right Imperial and a dose of good old-fashioned confidence, you’ll look sharp no matter what.