Whether your point of reference is the beloved Captain Kangaroo or former U.S. National Security Advisor John R. Bolton, it’s likely that each man’s walrus mustache is the most memorable facial feature you recall. The walrus mustache has an old, proud, and respected heritage, remembered throughout the world as a defining part of the facial hair movement men adopted during the 19th century.
The shaggy walrus style was a favorite of fashionable men, and grooming required specific attention to detail so the hair drooped dramatically over the lip and just slightly down the sides of the mouth.
Like many mustache styles, the walrus comes and goes, often the result of being adopted by a celebrity or noted public figure. Do these ‘staches come with grooming conundrums? Just ask any man sporting a walrus whose passion for beer or lattes is equally strong!
What Does a Walrus Mustache Look Like
Not every mustache style in the annals of facial hair fashion is as intriguing as the walrus, partly because it’s so closely linked to the chevron mustache that even seasoned style editors get them confused. The truth is simpler: the walrus is closest to an overgrown chevron, with the same full coverage, grown long enough to swallow the lip.
Plenty of style writers still lump it in with the handlebar family (or treat it as a chevron outgrowth), which only adds to the confusion. Don’t let that throw you, though. This contemporary iteration remains as distinct as its relatives, which is why it’s easy to identify, even for mustache newcomers.
For a walrus, comb the hair downward and trim stray ends while retaining enough length to hang over the upper lip. Cutting a neat line above the lip would remove the defining droop.
Here’s a quirky fact for trivia fans: the walrus mustache is named after the marine mammal, whose tough whiskers inspired the classic look. On a walrus, though, those whiskers work more like sensory organs than hair, helping it find food on the seafloor.
You’ll find the walrus gracing the faces of everyone from German statesman Otto von Bismarck to the beloved Mark Twain, and most recently Sam Elliott, whose star turn in the latest version of “A Star is Born” earned him a 2019 Academy Award nomination. If you’re growing one, welcome to the club.
Who Should Try a Walrus Mustache
A walrus suits someone who likes a full, drooping mustache and is willing to maintain the extra length. Growth time varies; there is no fixed three-month deadline.
Hanging a reference photo beside your mirror can help keep you motivated during the growth phase, because even if you’re a fast grower, patience is still part of the deal.
Before you get busy, be realistic about whether a walrus is your look. This breakdown of face shapes can help you make a smart call:
- On an oblong face, a broad walrus adds visual width around the mouth.
- On a round face, a walrus adds a strong horizontal feature; it does not necessarily make the face look smaller.
- On a square face, a softly rounded walrus can contrast with angular features.
- On a triangle-shaped face, adjust the width and drooping ends to get proportions you like.
- On a diamond-shaped face, try a narrower outline if you prefer less width around the mouth.
- The best size depends on your growth and preferred proportions, rather than a required upper-lip width.
The Evolution of the Walrus Mustache
Mustaches appear in art going back millennia, from ancient Egypt to Iron Age Celtic carvings, but the bushy walrus as we know it became popular in the 19th century.
The drooping look itself is far older. The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus described Gaulish nobles who shaved their cheeks but let the mustache grow until it covered the mouth, much like a walrus today.
How to Grow, Trim, and Style a Walrus Mustache
What’s the most important part of growing, trimming, and styling a walrus? Patience. These mustaches take serious time to develop, and if your facial hair runs on the fine or sparse side, even all that patience may not deliver the fullness you’re after.
Dense growth can make a full walrus easier to shape, but the time needed varies. Let the hair reach over the upper lip, then trim the outline gradually to keep it comfortable to wear.
Shave everything outside your mustache zone, then grab a mustache comb and work the hair on your upper lip downward in smooth, consistent strokes. Use sharp scissors to cut back the hair so the upper lip is covered and both drooping ends fall just below the corners of your mouth.
Once you’ve nailed that initial shaping session, you’ve got the foundation for every future grooming visit. Before you reach for the scissors again, try working a little mustache wax through the hair first. You may find that’s all you need, especially when you want to keep things polished and under control at an important moment.
Precautions
Be extra cautious at mealtime if you’re aiming to leave the table looking like a distinguished grandpa rather than a kid whose ice cream adventure ended up on his face instead of in his stomach.
Adopting these tips can help any guy wearing a Walrus walk away from the table looking as clean as he did when he arrived:
- Mustache wax can tame your upper lip hair and keep it from being infiltrated by food and drinks.
- Take your time every time you take a bite. Use your pointer finger to gently lift hair aside if necessary.
- Cut up your food into manageable bites so your fork can take proper aim and avoid your mustache.
- Don’t laugh, but some guys use small hair clips and bobby pins to clear a path to the tongue.
- Ask for a second napkin so you always have one in close proximity to dab at your mustache area.
- Grab a straw, and you can bypass your mustache entirely if you drink a lot of beverages.
Walrus Mustache Grooming
Must you get up before the sun to apply due diligence to your ‘stache once it’s been established? Not if you develop a routine that has been finely honed by previous Walrus wearers. In general, best practices include:
- Comb the mustache down when dry and trim stray ends with scissors. A clipper’s longest guard can still remove too much length, so check its measurement before using it.
- Shape the drooping ends to suit your face; there is no required one-inch limit.
- Shave rogue hairs that interrupt the outline and shape of your Walrus.
- Use a mustache comb to wrangle any strays, then do a final mustache trim with your scissors.
Keep this in mind: no two Walrus mustaches are exactly alike, so as long as the shape you create meets the standard for this particular style, your version should be unique and beautifully groomed at all times.
Famous People With a Walrus Mustache
To be truthful, a quick internet search is going to bring you face to face with a lot of marine wildlife before you get to images of men sporting this bushy mustache style, but once you do, you may find some surprises on the following list.
Friedrich Nietzsche
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche sports the most philosophical Walrus of all.
Teddy Roosevelt
Most presidential Walrus kudos go to Teddy Roosevelt, a genuine rough rider. You can try adding a beard with this mustache; it should look classy!
Wilford Brimley
Actor Wilford Brimley’s mustache is one of the most iconic celeb ‘staches ever grown.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain’s words were as celebrated as the Walrus that set him apart from every other writer and philosopher of his era.
Best Walrus Mustache Styles
1. White Walrus Mustache
This white walrus has a broad, dense center and ends that hang beside the mouth. The hair falls over the upper lip while the cheeks and chin stay clear.
The rest of the face is clean-shaved to keep all the focus on the mustache.
2. Dark Walrus Mustache with Long Drooping Ends
This dark walrus has a thick center that hangs over the upper lip and long, loose ends beside the mouth. With the cheeks and chin shaved, those ends run down to the jawline and frame the mouth, which puts this version close to a horseshoe mustache.
