A little Movember inspiration


Digital Media
November 25, 2013

The nights are drawing in, leaves are falling from the trees at an alarming rate and there seems to be far more moustachioed men around than usual. Of course, it’s not just November, it is also Movember. And as the month nears its close, the charitably hirsute menfolk of the world will need to put some thought into what final style to go with for their newly grown facial attire. Luckily, we are here to help with some mo’ inspiration from the V&A Collections

First off, a fine example of that perennial classic, the Victorian handlebar:

Portrait of L. Whibley (detail), photograph, Frederick Hollyer, about 1890. Museum no. 7888-1938. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

But perhaps your tastes lie a little further back in time. Maybe a dashing 17th-Century goatee is the way to go:

An Unknown man (detail), unknown artist, 17th century. Museum no. 28-1867. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Portrait of an unknown man (detail), unknown artist, about 1640. Museum no. P.46-1919. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

If a striking moustache is not quite enough facial adornment, a dashing Movember participant could consider accentuating their mo’ with a monacle and top hat:

Print scrap, Siegmund Hildesheimer & Co., about 1890. Museum no. S.4:11-2008. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

For some, Movember is of course a chance to go all out and cultivate a comedy ‘tache. This early twentieth century version would certainly get you noticed:

Print, unknown maker, Harry R. Beard Collection. early 20th century. Museum no. S.6028-2009. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

And our last example is not one for the faint hearted, but would certainly prove your dedication to Movember‘s very worthwhile cause:

Mask, Myochin Muneyasu, Japan, about 1800. Museum no. M.78-1928. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Finally, once you have spent a month diligently growing the perfect moustache, the last thing you need is for it to be tarnished by your dinner:

Moustache spoon, John Round & Son Ltd, 1904. Museum no. M.18-2000. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

If you have not yet found the mo’ for you, do not despair, there are many more marvellous moustaches to be found via Search the Collections.

About the author


Digital Media
November 25, 2013

Former Content Editor in the Digital Media department. I love finding interesting stories and unusual objects hidden in the V&A Collections. I blog about all things digital media, with the...

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