Macho for Mustaches - The Horseshoe

The Horseshoe

Choosing the right mustache to match your style can be exceptionally difficult, especially if you’ve never embraced the mustache before. The Handlebar Mustache is a popular option, but some prefer to embrace a style that differs a bit from the norm. In such a case, many opt for the mustache known as The Horseshoe. Also known as the biker mustache, this style can be employed in a variety of different ways and can be very attractive when done right.

Origin and Examples in History
Given the fact that The Horseshoe is so similar to the Fu Manchu, it’s safe to assume that these two styles came to prominence around the same time as one another. In fact, The Horseshoe likely grew out of the Fu Manchu, given the two styles’ similarities. The Fu Manchu is grown long and only from the upper lip, while The Horseshoe gets its name specifically because it looks like an upside down horseshoe. George Michael, Hulk Hogan and Shaquille O’Neal have all had The Horseshoe at one time or another.

The Look
Growing a Horseshoe is all about shaping your facial hair in the proper manner. You’ll want to keep your chin and cheeks clean-shaven, and ensure that you trim the "pipes" of the horseshoe so that they extend down along the sides of the mouth without straying in a different direction.

Incorporating it Into an Ensemble
Incorporating a Horseshoe mustache into your ensemble isn’t always easy. George Michael would wear smart, modern suits, for example, while people such as Hulk Hogan and Shaquille O’Neal typically stuck to simply wearing athletic attire. Try to take a balanced approach, focusing mainly on smart casual attire and branching out from there as you become more comfortable with your biker stache.