The Year Of The Mustache (PHOTOS)

2008 was a great year to be a mustache in America. And when we say mustache, we're not talking about the ironic, hipster, Hollywood variety, but rather the real, I'm-a-political-power-player, downright manly mustache.

On the red carpet for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button on Monday night, Brad Pitt, who was sporting some facial hair of his own, told the TV Show Extra that he's trying to bring the mustache back: "That's my goal. I don't think 'staches are respected enough....It's a political statement."

But Brad Pitt doesn't need to worry. That very morning a mustachioed man named Eric Holder had been nominated as Attorney General, capping off what by any estimation should be considered a stellar year for the style.

See the men who made it happen below.

The Holderstache
Eric Holder, nominated for Attorney General in 2008



The Axelrodstache
David Axelrod, got Barack Obama elected in 2008



The Pittstache
Brad Pitt, everywhere in 2008.



The Turnerstache
Ted Turner, released memoir Call Me Ted in 2008



The Waxmanstache
Rep. Henry Waxman, became head of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and remained the most distinctive-looking member of Congress in 2008



The Friedmanstache
Thomas Friedman, wrote lots of important editorials and released another best-seller, Hot, Flat, And Crowded, in 2008

NOTE: 2008 was also a great year to grow mustaches for charity: Mustaches For Kids raises awareness and funds for kid-related issues and Movember raises money for men's health.

It's also worth checking out The American Mustache Institute which is devoted to "protecting the rights of, and fighting discrimination against, mustached Americans by promoting growth, care, and culture of the mustache."

Comments

[Fongenie]

Axelrod looks like a sex god! *faints*

[socialdemocracy1968]

Hahaha, the Holderstache looks excellent.

[Big0725]

A bit sexist don't you think?

With all the ballsy broads up on Capitol Hill, there's gotta be a few with a hairy upper lip problem. Come on ladies, fess up?

[naschkatze]

My money is on Mean Jean Schmidt.

[joshlynch]

You forgot Roy Williams of the Dallas Cowboys who is currently growing a Mustache for Kids in Dallas. This is my third year sporting a soup-strainer for children's charities. I must say this year we've had the best charity so far - Donors Choose. Through this charity you can support school projects for children in high poverty areas asked for specifically by their teachers. It's great. I've raised almost $200 with my 'stache so far. Others can jump on this mustache train and support the kids at - www.joshmustache.com

Thanks for the story!

[IkeChicago]

I'm surprised because people in high positions usually don't have facial hair. I think Obama should grow a mustache to prove that he's a brother.

[Fongenie]

Lol. Mustaches don't prove you're a brotha... goatees do.

[edwarvir]

Eric Holder is so good looking I absolutely
love him mustache and all.

[SPQR1052]

The "Boss" looks better but they all do.

[mabinog]

When facial hair is as popular as it was during the Civil War then you can talk to me about the Year of the Stache. IMHO this does not even compare to the stache and polyester fiasco of the 70's.

[NoMercy]

So true... but I don't know about "fiasco". I like having facial hair and the choice to do something with it. I wish it could be as great as the 19th century in that regard.

[KristaJulieva]

This collection doesn't do the movement justice, but ye naysayers must face the inevitable rising tide of upper-lip hair. The 'stache is back. Don't fight it.

[NoMercy]

I've sported everything from a chest length beard to a "bouc" (French for the little tuft of hair under the bottom lip), but never just a moustache. Couldn't get into it.

I have a suspicion that the moustache exists because of how hard it is to shave the upper lip without cutting oneself.

[Big0725]

That's a soul patch on this side of the pond!

[leftoflennon]

Mustaches are gross things that have been made to make women throw up

[OverIt]

I am not a fan of mustaches generally but I have to say that Ted Turner's disconnected roadkill of a mustache is one of the ugliest things I've ever seen!

[Rocknerd]

I would also like to point out that mustaches were also big in the sports world. Jason Giambi rocked the 'stache for much of the season. Also Micheal Phelps' record smashing brought Mark Spitz back into the public eyes, and he used to rock the 'stache hardcore!

[honeydiva]

I love men, I love men that are able to grow hair everywhere. (except the back...ewww..lol)

[Big0725]

Back hair is what ladies with shears take care of.

[dzymzlzy]

There are only two reasons to grow a mustache: you are a 70s porn star or...nope, I take it back. There is no reason to grow a mustache.

[cnjtallhry]

There are two kinds of men... men who CAN grow facial hair and men who wish they could.