Over the years, men have been fascinated with unique and archaic facial hair styles. Whether it be leaders in the 17th or 19th century to today's boy bands, we have a list of beard styles that are too outdated to exist today.
How do we make them popular beard styles again?
In this blog, we will share the top five most ancient facial hairs and show you how we can turn them into the hottest styles today. Let's dive right in!
Mutton chops
Mutton chops made their debut in the early 1800s, predominantly among the upper echelons of society. This distinct style, marked by a lack of facial hair in the goatee region, complemented the starched collars, scarves, and ties that were the fashionable attire of the era.
Over the years, mutton chops underwent transformations, with a notable shift occurring in the late 1870s when men began connecting their mutton chops to their mustaches, igniting a trend of growing both mutton chops and mustaches to impressive lengths.
By the 1900s, mutton chops temporarily faded into obscurity, but thanks to the resurgence of interest among millennials, this facial hairstyle made a triumphant return.
Sure, it serves as a throwback to regal-retro styles. But it's not worth looking like you're about to join the war.
Better beard style: Chin strap beard
If you still want to look retro with the added factor of emphasizing your jawline, we recommend the Chinstrap. Mind you, it's flattering for oval-shaped faces or men with an angular jawline.
French fork beard
The term "French Fork" might evoke images of a two-pronged utensil, but it takes on a unique meaning in the realm of facial hair. A French Fork Beard is a Full Beard meticulously trimmed or styled into two distinct "prongs" at the bottom.
Interestingly, the name "French Fork" is somewhat misleading, as this style of beard finds its roots not in France but in the Middle East. The origin of this beard style can be traced back to the Persian Empire, where it first appeared. From there, it embarked on a fascinating journey through history, experiencing periods of popularity in various eras.
From the Viking Empire in ancient times to the Renaissance of the 14th century and even among the German aristocracy of the 19th century, the French Fork Beard has graced the faces of men across diverse cultures and epochs.
Today, the French Fork Beard is considered a rather sophisticated and rarely seen style, with good reason. It's definitely not for most men.
Better beard style: Any full beard
A beard is supposed to lengthen or shape your face, especially if your face is round. But sporting a French Fork beard says otherwise.
We recommend sticking with a well-groomed full beard like a Garibaldi beard.
Fu Manchu
The Fu Manchu mustache, known for its distinctive downward-pointing ends, boasts a rich and intriguing history from ancient times. Its origin can be traced to the Mongol invaders from China, harkening back to the era of the Yellow Emperor, who reigned from 2696 to 2598 BC. This facial hair style has truly stood the test of time, with roots that reach back millennia.
In modern popular culture, the Fu Manchu mustache gained prominence during the 1920s. Its moniker is derived from the fictional character Fu Manchu, a central figure in the British series "The Mystery of Fu Manchu." This character, created by author Sax Rohmer, sported the iconic mustache that would become synonymous with his name.
Since its introduction to the world through fiction, the Fu Manchu mustache has been embraced by a diverse array of well-known individuals. Notably, it found its way onto the upper lip of Joe Namath, the legendary American football quarterback.
Better beard style: Goatee
Like our first two outdated beard styles, this enduring facial hair style continues to captivate and leave its mark on history, a testament to its timeless appeal. However, if you want to emphasize your chin area, we suggest you stick with classic beards like the circle beard or horseshoe beard.
The toothbrush
The toothbrush beard enjoys a measure of fame owing to its historical association with none other than the renowned British humorist Charlie Chaplin. His visage, adorned with this distinctive form of facial hair, played an indispensable role in crafting his iconic and unmistakable appearance. Nonetheless, in the contemporary tapestry of facial hair trends, the toothbrush beard is somewhat marginalized, overshadowed by alternative hirsute styles.
Better beard style: The pencil
Making a bold statement is rather the sole purpose of the toothbrush stache. But if you are one of the men who just want a mustache, go for a pencil or a handlebar mustache instead.
Dyed beard
For many years, people have dyed their hair in their natural color to look young. But we're not talking about these people but rather the people who go extraordinary ways to color their bushy beards in bright, contrasting hues. This was a popular beard back in the 80s— the disco era.
Better beard style: Natural beard color
But is it worth getting all the attention today? Not unless you're an Instagram influencer.
We recommend that you stick with natural hair colors.
Read our how-to blog: The ultimate guide to dyeing your beard at home like a pro
The modern beard care for modern men
We're not done recommending modern beard trends. You can overlook our fashion advice but not our expert advice on beard care.
Remember the three important steps to make your facial hair healthy, smooth, and well-groomed.
- Wash your beard regularly using a mild beard cleanser.
- With your beard slightly damp, apply beard oil thoroughly until it reaches the skin underneath.
- Brush your beard to detangle and even distribute the oils. We highly recommend using a beard straightening brush for medium to long beards.
Odenson beard straightener beard + hair
Final thoughts
A lot of the 17th or 20th Century beards made a comeback, but not every style is meant for everyone. That's why we give you a short list of alternatives to sway your judgment. Nevertheless, as long as you have the confidence to show off your beard, who cares?
One thing we absolutely abide by is to have a beard care regimen. So visit Odenson for your beard kit today.
