Mustaches - they're not just for faces anymore. Curled at the ends, thick, thin, no matter the 'stache style, they're all in. And recently, they've been popping up everywhere - on mugs, clothes, even phone cases.
You might call it a fanstachetic trend.
"It's a sign of youth, not taking things seriously," says Zach Schrank, a University of Arizona doctoral candidate in sociology who's also taught Soc 317, the sociology of pop culture.
A mustache - or mo, if you will - was originally a symbol of masculinity. "There is this idea that your upper lip is the weakest part of your body, so growing hair on the weakest part of your body projects power," Schrank says.
Which makes it all the funnier when wedding parties stick on fake mustaches for official photos or you see a baby sucking on a mustachioed pacifier.
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The trend "is, at its heart, completely ironic," Schrank says.
And mustaches really do make fine decorations.
"It's just a fun thing to put on clothes and shoes," says Stephanie McIlroy, president of the University of Arizona Trend Fashion Club, a group of students interested in the industry.
While lip carpets may be a tongue-in-cheek trend most of the year, this month they're a sign of solidarity designed to raise awareness for men's health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. November becomes Movember and men are encouraged to grow mustaches and become "mo bros."
They're doing it at The Parish gastropub, 6453 N. Oracle Road. Staffers - even those who already sported 'staches - shaved 'em off at the beginning of the month for fresh growth while the women put on mustache shirts, says co-owner Steve Dunn, who normally sports facial hair. The restaurant hosted a Stache Bash last night that included an Ultimate Mo contest.
Of course, sprouting facial hair for the first time is not without dangers, Dunn warns.
"You never know if you're going to look like a creeper or not."
On StarNet: Check out all the mustached photos submitted at azstarnet.com/gallery
Shopping 'staches
If you can't grow a 'stache, at least you can stick one on your stuff. The mustache motif is everywhere - from drinking glasses to Hello Kitty's mouthless face.
Items with a mustache motif:
• The Carstache - It's a fuzzy mustache for your ride. Really. Colors range from fiery orange to basic black. The Carstache attaches to a car's grill with rubber-coated wires. You can get a bike version, too. $39 at carstache.com
• Bubble Buttons - These teeny, puffy stickers go over that little indentation on Apple products like iPads, iPhones, etc. The $6 packet features several 'stache styles, ranging from the handlebar to the Rollie Fingers, named for the retired baseball player. Urban Outfitters, 901 E. University Blvd., carries them.
• Converse low-tops. Saw 'em at Journeys for $54.99 in Park Place Place mall and Tucson Mall.
• Clock. The Monsieur Wall Clock has a dark brown 'stache smack in the middle of it. $12.95 at mxyplyzyk.com
Contact Kristen Cook at kcook@azstarnet.com or 573-4194.
