thumb|[[Copenhagen wigmaker about 1893]]
A handlebar moustache is a moustache with particularly lengthy and upwardly curved extremities. These moustache styles are named for their resemblance to the handlebars of a bicycle. It is also known as a spaghetti moustache, because of its stereotypical association with Italian men. The Handlebar Club humorously describes the style as "a hirsute appendage of the upper lip and with graspable extremities".
History
Similar styles of moustache are quite ancient, appearing on statues and other depictions of Iron Age Celts. In the United States, handlebar moustaches were worn in the later part of the 19th century by Wild West figures like Wyatt Earp. In Europe, handlebar moustaches were often worn by soldiers during the 19th century until roughly the era of World War I.
English comedy actor Jimmy Edwards grew his trademark handlebar moustache in the late 1940s in order to disguise facial injuries sustained as a pilot in World War II.
In 1972, to win a $300 "best facial hair" prize offered by team owner Charlie O. Finley, Oakland A's pitcher Rollie Fingers grew a handlebar moustache which he sported throughout his career.
More recently, the contemporary hipster subculture has embraced the handlebar moustache by mocking conventional ideals of fashion, and by combining a highly manicured handlebar moustache with the portrayal of an unkempt appearance or a haphazardly selected clothing ensemble.
Famous handlebar moustaches
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File:Wyatt Earp portrait.png|Wyatt Earp
File:William Howard Taft as Chief Justice SCOTUS.jpg|William Howard Taft
File:Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany - 1902.jpg|Wilhelm II
File:Joseph Stalin official portrait.jpg|Joseph Stalin
File:Cody-Buffalo-Bill-LOC.jpg|Buffalo Bill
File:Bhagat Singh 1929.jpg|Bhagat Singh
File:Victor Napoleon.jpg|Prince Victor Napoleon
File:Giovanni-Verga.jpg|Giovanni Verga
File:Vincenzo Garioni.jpg|Vincenzo Garioni
File:Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria - b&w.jpg|Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
File:M.H.delPilaryGatmaitan.jpg|Marcelo H. del Pilar
File:Porfirio Diaz in uniform.jpg|Porfirio Diaz
File:Lord Randolph Churchill.jpg|Lord Randolph Churchill
File:Jimmy Edwards at CHRIS SHAW's Book Launch.jpg|Jimmy Edwards
File:Rollie Fingers - San Diego Padres.jpg|Rollie Fingers
File:Michael Attree.jpg|Michael Attree
File:Robert Johansson (NOR) 2019.jpg|Robert Johansson
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-C06886, Paul v. Hindenburg.jpg|Paul von Hindenburg
File:Chandrasekhar azad.jpg|Chandra Shekhar Azad
File:Antonio luna small.jpg|Antonio Luna
File:Baron hirsch.jpg|Maurice de Hirsch
File:Will Vinton 2015.jpg|Will Vinton
File:Col Robin Olds epic mustache.jpg|Robin Olds
File:J. Bruce Ismay.jpeg|J. Bruce Ismay
File:George Dewey.jpg|George Dewey
File:Kingkellyphoto.jpg|King Kelly
File:Gustave flaubert.jpg|Gustave Flaubert
File:Thomashardy_restored.jpg|Thomas Hardy
File:Ruggiero leoncavallo.jpg|Ruggero Leoncavallo
File:Maarschalk Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929), Bestanddeelnr 158-1095 (cropped).jpg|Ferdinand Foch
File:Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg.jpg|Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg
File:Hollerith.jpg|Herman Hollerith
File:Camilo in 2019.jpg|Camilo
File:Daniel Mengden (52005393603) (cropped).jpg|Daniel Mengden
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Company mascots
- Julius Pringles
- Mr. Monopoly
- Mr. Boh
- Air India's Maharaja mascot
- Terrible Herbst
Styles
This style is usually achieved by the use of moustache wax, although hair gel, a curling iron, or natural curling can suffice. Generally, the greater the curl of the extremities, the more dramatic the appearance achieved. When worn without wax or grooming, the moustache style may more closely resemble a walrus moustache.
See also
- List of moustache styles
- List of facial hairstyles