A pencil mustache is a narrow, sharply outlined line just above the lip. It uses little hair but needs regular detailing to keep its shape, so it is a style for precision rather than effortless upkeep.
It’s vintage, dapper, and can work with relatively light growth. Here are 27 pencil mustache styles with old-school flair.
01 of 27Pencil 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 27Center-Parted Pencil Mustache with Slicked-Back Hair
This slightly fuller pencil mustache has a small gap at the center. Slicked-back hair and a clean-shaven chin give the narrow outline room to stand out.
03 of 27Thin 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 27Single 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 27Pencil 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 27Pencil 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 27Single 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 27Salt 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 27Vintage 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 27Trimmed 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 27Wider Pencil Mustache with Center Part
For a slightly fuller version, leave the line a little wider while keeping its top and bottom edges neat. A small center gap creates two distinct halves.
You will need to trim your mustache regularly and shave the surrounding facial hair daily.
12 of 27Tapered-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 27Pencil 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 27Thin 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 27Short, Neatly Tapered Pencil Mustache
This short mustache stays close to the upper lip and tapers toward the corners. Keep the outline narrow and even rather than shaping a separate block beneath the nose.
16 of 27Pencil 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 27Modern Classic Pencil Mustache
For this light version, keep a narrow line just above the upper lip. Trim the upper edge carefully and let the tips follow the corners of the mouth.
18 of 27Thick 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 27Light Pencil Mustache with a Clean Shave
A light pencil mustache keeps the focus on the upper lip while the cheeks and chin stay shaved. It can work with finer growth without needing a beard to complete the look.
20 of 27Pencil 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 27Pencil 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 27Pencil 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 27Pencil Mustache with Chin Stubble
A thin, center-parted mustache is paired with light chin stubble here. Keep the beard short so the narrow mustache remains distinct.
24 of 27Pencil 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.
25 of 27Wide 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.
26 of 27Center-Parted Pencil Mustache with Short Sides
A small center gap divides this mustache into two narrow halves. Short sides and longer hair on top give the vintage outline a more current pairing.
27 of 27Vintage 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.
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.
