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Man with a thick full chevron moustache covering the top lip — chevron moustache guide

The Chevron Moustache:
A Guide for Modern Men

The thick, full moustache that covers the top lip — the 70s icon, back and easier to wear than the handlebar.

By Jessica Hamilton — Master Stylist & Creative Director

The chevron is the classic thick moustache that covers most of the top lip and angles slightly downward at the corners — the definitive 70s look, worn by more icons of that era than any other style. Compared to the handlebar it's far lower-maintenance: no wax, no curling, just full growth kept shaped. It's having a genuine revival.

What Defines a Chevron

A chevron is full and thick, grown to cover the top lip and extend just past the corners of the mouth, with the shape following the natural downward angle of the lip — hence the "chevron" (a shallow V). It's not curled or waxed like a handlebar, and it's wider and fuller than a pencil or a Van Dyke moustache. Think Tom Selleck.

Who It Suits

  • Thick, full moustache growth — the chevron's whole appeal is density, so patchy growth shows.
  • Medium to larger faces — a big moustache can overwhelm a very small face.
  • Men who want a statement without daily fuss — no wax, just shaping.
  • Pairs well with a fuller face or a strong jaw; balances the lower face.

Growing and Shaping It

  1. 1

    Grow for 4-8 weeks

    Let it come in full and thick without shaping — you need density first.

  2. 2

    Define the top edge

    Trim a clean line just below the nose so it doesn't creep up toward the nostrils.

  3. 3

    Shape the sides

    Let it extend just past the mouth corners; trim stray hairs below the lip line.

  4. 4

    Set the length

    Trim the bulk to an even, thick length with a trimmer guard — don't over-thin it.

  5. 5

    Keep the lip clear

    Trim the bottom edge so it sits just above or on the top lip, not into your mouth.

Maintenance

  • Trim every few days to a week to keep the top edge and lip line clean.
  • Comb it down and trim to an even length so it stays neat and full.
  • A little beard oil keeps a thick moustache soft and the skin under it comfortable.
  • Don't over-trim the width — the fullness is the point.
  • Keep it clean — a full moustache over the lip catches food and drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a chevron moustache?+
A chevron is a thick, full moustache that covers most of the top lip and extends just past the corners of the mouth, following the natural downward angle of the lip. It's the classic 70s style — think Tom Selleck — and unlike a handlebar it isn't waxed or curled.
Q2: Who does a chevron moustache suit?+
Men with thick, full moustache growth (its whole appeal is density, so patchy growth shows) and medium-to-larger faces, since a big moustache can overwhelm a small face. It's a statement style that needs no daily wax, just regular shaping.
Q3: What's the difference between a chevron and a handlebar?+
A chevron is full and thick and worn flat over the lip with no curl, while a handlebar is grown longer at the ends and waxed into upward curls. The chevron is much lower-maintenance — no wax or daily training required.
Q4: How do I grow a chevron moustache?+
Grow it full and thick for 4-8 weeks without shaping to build density, then define a clean top edge below the nose, let the sides extend just past the mouth corners, and trim the bottom edge so it sits just above the top lip. Keep the width full.
Q5: How do I maintain a chevron moustache?+
Trim every few days to a week to keep the top edge and lip line clean, comb it down and trim to an even full length, and use a little beard oil to keep it soft. Avoid over-trimming the width, since the fullness is the whole look.

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