Always wanted a mustache but dreaded the upkeep? The pencil mustache is the answer — a thin, sharp line just above the lip, trimmed to about a quarter-inch and built for precision over bulk.
It’s vintage, dapper, and flatters guys who can’t (or won’t) grow a thick one. Here are 28 pencil mustache styles with serious old-school flair.
What Is a Pencil Mustache?
A pencil mustache is a very thin mustache. Some pencil mustaches are so incredibly thin that it almost looks like someone penciled it on. As such, the pencil mustache is very sophisticated and precise-looking.
Vincent Price was one of the most prominent actors to sport a pencil-thin mustache, and he wore it very well. Few can best Mr. Price in terms of class, style, and eloquence.
Brad Pitt
Even Brad Pitt wore a pencil mustache for a time. He is perhaps one of the most well-recognized fair-haired men to have sported the style.
Salvador Dalí
Renowned artist Salvador Dalí also had a pencil mustache for a while before it evolved into the more eccentric style he is commonly pictured with.
Clark Gable
Clark Gable is another famous person who wore a pencil mustache, and wore it well. The famed actor did much to popularize the style.
Knowing how to craft a truly stylish mustache is a real art. If you are not afraid of a challenge, we recommend trying a pencil thin mustache. This mustache looks very fashionable and does not take too much effort to create. The length of the pencil mustache varies.
It can run from one corner of your mouth to the other, or stop where your nose ends. It all depends on your face type. Start with the longest length and go from there. You will soon find out which one suits you best.
The pencil mustache should be maintained on a daily basis; otherwise, it will quickly lose its charm.
01 of 28Pencil Mustache with Skin Fade and Stubble Goatee
Despite being a vintage mustache style, a good pencil mustache can pair really well with a modern fade and short hair. A light stubble goatee can also complement a pencil stache nicely.
02 of 28Thick Dark Pencil Mustache with Slicked-Back Hair
If the thinner variety is not doing it for you, you can grow a thicker, single pencil stache that looks especially good with slicked-back hair and a clean shave.
03 of 28Thin Pencil Mustache with Chin Strap
A pencil mustache usually looks good with an equally thin beard. You can easily pair it with a thin chin strap that connects into a full goatee, or keep it separate from your mustache.
04 of 28Single Pencil Mustache with Stubble Goatee
Light stubble is your best friend when growing a pencil mustache, as it consistently complements a thin mustache. This stubble goatee is a good example, with the clean shave on the sides giving the overall look a sharper finish.
05 of 28Pencil Mustache with Waves Haircut
A pencil mustache looks especially good with most short natural haircuts. With a pencil stache, you avoid the heavy, overgrown look that can come with a bigger, fuller mustache and beard combination.
06 of 28Pencil Mustache with Five-O’Clock Shadow
If you want to keep some semblance of a beard with your pencil mustache, pair it with a five-o-clock shadow. Just keep in mind that a lighter, sparser beard pairs best with a lighter, thinner mustache.
07 of 28Single Pencil Mustache with Short Hair
Short hair also makes for a strong combination with a pencil stache, but the best choice is to skip the beard entirely and let the mustache stand on its own.
08 of 28Salt and Pepper Pencil Mustache with Stubble
Men with a natural gap in the center of their upper lip look especially good with a pencil stache, since the smaller, thinner shape blends with the face more naturally than a bigger, thicker mustache would.
09 of 28Vintage Thick Pencil Mustache
The vintage pencil mustache with thin hairs is one of the best options if you do not like bothering with a beard and want something that works on most occasions.
10 of 28Trimmed Pencil Mustache with Rectangle Frames
A thin pencil mustache pairs well with all sorts of glasses and accessories, especially rectangle frames that suit more formal settings.
11 of 28Wider Pencil Mustache with Center Part
If you are not confident you can maintain a very thin pencil mustache, opt for a slightly wider version. Allow the mustache line to be about an inch thick. Create a center part for a special touch of character.
You will need to trim your mustache regularly and shave the surrounding facial hair daily.
12 of 28Tapered-Ends Pencil Mustache
Your mustache does not have to be uniform in thickness. If you opted for a long mustache, you can make the center section thicker than the ends. This style is easier to maintain and makes a great impression. The tapered tips should extend just beyond the lip line.
13 of 28Pencil Mustache with Center Part
Achieving a pencil mustache with a clean center part is a real art. You can learn to do it yourself, but when you are just starting out, get some professional assistance. You may make a few mistakes at first, but with practice you will become quite skilled at it.
14 of 28Thin and Neat Pencil Mustache
The main goal of the pencil mustache is to look like a true pencil line. Keep the mustache as thin and as neat as possible. The thinner it is, the sharper it will look. Practice your detailing and trimming skills as often as you can.
15 of 28Pencil Mustache and Toothbrush Mix
This mustache blends a pencil-thin outline with a shorter toothbrush-style center section. It is quite difficult to achieve without trimming experience, so ask your barber to walk you through the technique first.
16 of 28Pencil Mustache with Downturned Ends
Not every mustache has to sit perfectly straight. Letting the ends hang slightly downward adds a touch of individuality to your look. Just be sure to keep the surrounding facial hair cleanly shaved to maintain a sharp outline.
17 of 28Modern Classic Pencil Mustache
For a modern take on the pencil mustache, position it midway between the tip of the nose and the upper lip. Keep it as thin as possible and let the ends extend just slightly beyond the corners of your mouth.
18 of 28Thick and Trimmed
This mustache is a great choice for special occasions. It is a little thicker than usual, which allows you to show off your trimming skills. Let the ends hang a little low and make sure the rest of the face is cleanly shaven.
19 of 28Teenage Pencil Mustache with Clean Shave
A pencil mustache can even look good on teenagers who are still growing out facial hair, since they do not have to bother growing a beard with it. The stache alone looks good with most styles and on most occasions.
20 of 28Pencil Mustache with Disconnected Goatee and Thick Glasses
Disconnected goatees are incredibly popular for their versatility, since you can easily pair almost any mustache with them. The best thing about it is that you do not have to worry about maintaining a longer beard.
21 of 28Pencil Mustache with Thin Chin Strap Sideburns
If you do not want to pair a proper beard with your pencil stache, you can extend your sideburns and let them grow out a little more. Trimming the sideburns down to a very thin line is always a sharp look.
22 of 28Pencil Mustache with Light Stubble Goatee
Light stubble is possibly the best beard length to pair with a pencil mustache, since it does not make the mustache look out of place. A light stubble goatee with a pencil stache is also generally easier to maintain.
23 of 28Thick Pencil Mustache with Sideburns
If thin sideburns are not working for you, try thicker sideburns paired with an equally thick pencil mustache. This style tends to look better on square faces, especially with shorter hair.
24 of 28Pencil Mustache with Balbo Beard and Short Hair
The classic beard to grow with your pencil stache is the Balbo, ideally kept at a similar thickness. An extended version can also work well if you want more chin definition.
25 of 28Pencil Mustache with Soul Patch and Goatee
For a more angular face, showing off your cheekbones and jawline with a pronounced goatee and soul patch combination can work very well. A thick pencil mustache ties the whole look together.
26 of 28Wide Pencil Mustache with Clean Shave and Vintage Styling
A thick pencil mustache that extends further from the upper lip pairs well with a vintage-styled pompadour. Keep the hair swept back and let the mustache do the talking.
27 of 28Tapered Pencil Mustache with High Fade
A pencil mustache that is thicker in the middle and slowly tapers toward the edges is a great style to pair with a more modern haircut like a high fade.
28 of 28Vintage Pencil Mustache with Formal Suit
This is a classic formal variation built around a carefully detailed pencil mustache and a dressed-up presentation. It works best when the line is crisp, symmetrical, and paired with a clean shave.