Mustaches begin to grow back into fashion - Columbia Missourian

I have been mustachiophobic for many years. Where’s my razor?

Aaron Perlut, chairman of the American Mustache Institute, said Americans have been unnecessarily harsh toward mustached men for many years. The trend peaked in the late 1970s, when men wore a perm, a good turtleneck and a mustache, Perlut said.

Celebrities and sports figures who were part of that movement include: singers David Crosby, Lionel Ritchie, George Harrison and Ringo Starr; actor Tom Selleck; and major-league baseball pitchers Rollie Fingers and Catfish Hunter.

Post-1970s, facial hair went into a decline. Now, apparently, it’s on an upswing.

Perlut credits actors like Brad Pitt and George Clooney and sports figures like Brendan Ryan for helping to nudge the mustache back into the mainstream. He also attributes the resurgence to the 20-somethings who have embraced the trend.

A mustache is not permanent like a tattoo, Perlut said, adding, “It’s a simple form of expression.”

Dunavin prefers to think of his as more of a nod to the Victorian era.

“It’s a dignified, classic American look,” he said.

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Mustaches on St. Louis Cardinals baseball players last season inspired MU seniors Elliot Hasse and Drew Roper to grow them.

Roper, 23, said it gave him an excuse, “If they can do it, I can do it.”