Powerful styles
How can a beard change history? 10 US presidents with iconic facial hair!
Image: Library of Congress
Can you guess how many US presidents have had beards? And how many grew a mustache? Which one comes to mind first? For some, it's Lincoln's unmistakable beard; for others, Roosevelt's distinguished mustache; and some will remember John Quincy Adams' sideburns. From the most classic mustaches to eccentric beards, today, we're taking a look at 10 unforgettable presidential styles!
1
Abraham Lincoln
Image: Library of Congress
Probably one of the most remembered presidential beards is that of the 16th US President and author of the unforgettable Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln. But, while his image is forever linked to his top hat and distinctive, mustache-free beard, he actually didn't always have it.
Before he was elected president, an 11-year-old girl wrote him a letter suggesting he grow a beard. Fortunately, Lincoln took her advice! Thus, he became the first president to grow a beard while in office.
2
Theodore Roosevelt
Image: Library of Congress
Another iconic style was that of Teddy Roosevelt. His handlebar mustache is not only seen in photos and portraits from his time in office but is also forever etched on the imposing Mount Rushmore. Many men of his era imitated his dramatic, thick, and bushy mustache, which perfectly matched the vigor and toughness that defined the 26th US president.
3
Ulysses S. Grant
Image: Sergei Starostin
Beard? Yes! Sideburns? Of course. Mustache? That too! That is the case with Ulysses S. Grant, a president with a full look, fitting for a Civil War hero.
Grant's beard and mustache were thick -though not long- covering his jawline and also much of his cheeks. Thus, the 18th US president set a fashion trend that would be followed by several other presidents of the 19th century.
4
Grover Cleveland
Image: Dave Sherrill
Another president with a well-remembered mustache was Grover Cleveland, the first US president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
Cleveland's mustache was fluffy and extended just past the edges of his mouth. Although this might have been a problem when dining with guests, his mustache always looked neatly trimmed.
5
William Howard Taft
Image: Ronaldo Guiraldelli
Now, it's time to talk about the only person in the history of the US to have served as both President and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: William Howard Taft.
Taft sported a bushy mustache, like Teddy Roosevelt, who served right before him. But, unlike his predecessor, the tips of Taft's mustache didn't point downward; instead, they bent upward, making it much more theatrical.
6
John Quincy Adams
Image: Library of Congress
John Quincy Adams didn't need a mustache to stand out with his style. His hallmark was something quite original: sideburns.
Remembered for being bushy and always well and neatly groomed, the 6th president's memorable sideburns extended down the sides of his face, even connecting beneath his chin!
7
Rutherford B. Hayes
Image: Nikolaos Dimou
Rutherford B. Hayes was another 19th-century president known for sporting a full beard. In addition to being thick, his beard and mustache were quite long and even joined together, fully covering his lips, as seen in portraits from the time. While the 19th President looked really distinguished, we can't help but wonder how he handled summer with that style!
8
James A. Garfield
Image: Sean Foster
James A. Garfield had a look strikingly similar to that of his predecessor, Rutherford B. Hayes.
Also sporting a thick, long, full beard, Garfield's mustache was slightly shorter than Hayes', and his beard extended further onto his cheeks. It seems that you had to put some serious effort into perfecting your facial hair to be trendy in the late 19th century!
9
Martin Van Buren
Image: Jack Bulmer
"Mutton chops" is the term for the thick, bushy sideburns worn by Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States, a style known more for its volume than its tidiness.
As seen in portraits from different moments of his life, Van Buren had sideburns from a young age, but they definitely stood out during his presidency. In fact, political cartoons of his time often emphasized that very feature, making his sideburns exaggeratedly large.
10
Zachary Taylor
Image: Josh Sorenson
Before Lincoln, the dominant fashion was a clean-shaven look. But Zachary Taylor -just like John Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren- came to revolutionize things with his sideburns.
We have to admit Taylor's sideburns were far more modest than those of his predecessors, but he remains one of the few presidents to have worn any facial hair before Honest Abe made it a trend!
