Men's Grooming

The Top 5 Mustaches in History and Why They Rock

Exclusively masculine, the mustache is the epitome of manliness. Sometimes the mustache is so amazing that it defines the man. Here we count down the top five mustaches in history and tell you how the men who wore them wouldn’t have been the same with a bare lip.

#5. Errol Flynn

The original Robin Hood, Errol Flynn was an Australian actor known for his swashbuckling style and his mustache. Given that his acting career lasted only as long as his good looks did, it’s a safe bet that his mustache had more than a little to do with his fame. Thanks to Flynn, it’s hard to imagine a dashing swordsman without a mustache.

#4. Mark Twain

The American author Mark Twain is famous for writing dozens of short stories, novels, and essays, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and for his thick, bushy mustache. Note that Twain’s first literary success came in 1867 with The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County— prior to that time, photographs of Twain show a naked upper lip; after, the successful author is shown with a mustache. Coincidence? Probably not.

#3. Rollie Fingers

Rollie Fingers was a relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, the San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers. Although he has been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, he is best known for his carefully waxed handlebar mustache. He originally grew it to earn a $300 bonus from his general manager, but the mustache took on a life of its own, and he wears it to this day. Fingers even turned down a contract with the Cincinnati Reds that would have required him to be clean-shaven. When the mustache out-fames the athlete, you know it’s serious business.

#2. Salvador Dali

Surrealist painter Salvador Dali is perhaps even more famous for his flamboyant style and the mustache that bears his name than he is for his paintings of melting watches. Even now, virtually every cartoon artist is shown with a waxed, upturned mustache just like that of Dali.

#1. General Ambrose Burnside

The top billing on our list goes to General Ambrose Burnside, a general in the Union army during the Civil War. Although Burnside would otherwise be known as one of America’s most incompetent military officers, he is remembered fondly for his thick, bushy facial hair. It is after him that sideburns are named.

Author Bio

Melisa Cammack has been a fan of facial hair for many years, and since she has a little experience as a barber in her home town in Seattle Washington. She would recommend using only the absolute best shaving supplies such as, safety razors, skin care products, the badger shaving brush, and straight razors for the best shave of your life.