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History: the mustache is making a comeback
The mustache is becoming trendy again among 25-40 year olds. It has a turbulent history, with ups…and debates.
Whether brushed, Gauloise or fanged, everyone has their own mustache style. It is an attribute which is not always serious: as evidenced by those of the eccentric Dali, or Charlie Chaplin. The mustache didn’t just have fans, however. In the 19th century, it was a symbol of military authority. Having become old-fashioned, it is now trendy again, especially for a good cause.
Wearing a mustache for a good cause
Apart from our ancestors the Gauls, the mustache was not attractive in France at the time. A symbol of authority, only a few kings wear it, such as Louis XIII and Louis XIV. With General Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, this military fashion hit the mark. In 1842, the mustache was compulsory for gendarmes and soldiers. In society too, the mustache becomes a symbol of power. However, not everyone has the right to wear it, like waiters for example.
Today, the mustache is the emblem of “Movember”: since 2003, people around the world have been trimming their mustaches to raise awareness of prostate cancer screening.
