Why Did Men Stop Wearing Sideburns?

[@70stastic]

*Sideburn* *squad* *has* *entered* *the* *chat* Rocked sideburns for close to 10 years and no intent on stopping anytime soon

[@Zailen1]

I miss Gentlemans Gazette. About 2 years ago I finally started to build up my vintage (1920's-1930's era) wardrobe. This was the FIRST time in my life I genuinely got excited about clothing. As someone who is slightly on the autism scale, I am HUGE on patterns and texture, and the textiles of the era were so stimulating in that way. I loved the clean lines, the chizled shape. How put together I looked. Both fortunately, and unfortunately I just got a new job. FULL time after years of grinding for it, which will help me take care of my family better! But it's in a kitchen, so I'll have to say goodbye to the vintage clothing while I'm at work. It's for the greater good, but I'll definitely miss those suits and sweaters.

[@tj-co9go]

I feel you. I had a similar revelation now that I got interested in old fashion (approximately 1880 - 1950). It really does make you feel good to wear a good suit. Something well made is an awesome experience. I am also autistic, diagnosed as Aspergers, and it is one of my special interests. I certainly put a lot of effort into my clothing. I prefer natural materials (cotton, wool), and want to be certain that the clothes feel just right when worn. I never use online shopping, when I cannot use my senses to determine the quality of the product. When I look for my daily normal looks, I go for the smart casual style, of a t-shirt, dress shirt, chinos, and sneakers or leather dress shoes. Right now I don't work thanks to studying at university, government subsidies, savings and inheritance, but maybe I will have to some time. And when I did, it was part-time I joined a historical re-enactment organisation and I am going to go to their events of the 19th century. Feels good to be around with people of a good fashion taste. It would feel sort of exaggerative and out of place to go around people in vintage clothing normally.

[@Zailen1]

@@tj-co9go It's so cool that you do living history! Funnily enough, that's how I originally discovered Gentleman's Gazette! I do living history as well! (German ww2) and wanted to find some period accurate ideas for civilians to wear as well. We have a growing partisan group taking shape as well. As you said, it really feels good to be around so many others with similar interests. I owe a lot of that to opening me up in more social situations.

[@piccalillipit9211]

Im late diagnosis autistic. I make bespoke mens historical suits 1890 - 1930. Texture of the cloth is SO important 😀 Congratulations on the JOB...!!!

[@domepiece11]

You can still be the most polished cool in the room. And there are always weekends!

[@gentlemansgazette]

Congratulations on your new job! I'm sure you'll find some spare time to enjoy your vintage clothing, and we'll always be here when you need a dose of classic style inspiration 😉

[@thewanderer7060]

I rocked mutton chops for a couple of years before I grew in a full beard, mutton chops are an amazing in between clean shaven and bearded. Everyone seemed to like them as they were so different to the full beard trend at the time. Great video as per usual!

[@whatwelearned]

and what was it like living in the 1870s?

[@craft-o-matic399]

I enjoy seeing men sporting sideburns! I always have. My Dad was a clean shaven man. I always wanted him to grow sideburns. One year, for Christmas, with the assistance of my Mom, I fashioned a set of sideburns for my Dad as a Christmas gift! Seriously, I enjoyed the sideburns men wore in the 70's. Well manicured of course! Lisa

[@thegentlemansstyle]

The absolute legends of menswear!

[@n.b.2164]

I like sideburns, some of us can't grow good beards. It's like a clean man's beard. I tried to grow out my sideburns a couple years ago and they laughed at me calling me wolverine. I have a picture of my father from the 70s and he had magnificent sideburns.

[@z-rex6068]

Same 😂 I was called Wolverine at my work by my boss but he did say they were impressive

[@coolbugfacts1234]

full beard, moustache or nothing. you can grow a full beard using rogaine, the technology is available. there ain't no such thing as halfway crooks

[@TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

Love the new look, Preston! 😂😂😂

[@DIDDLOTIC]

I rock sideburns that line up down to the bottom of my ears and a stache. I like the look. It works for some and doesnt for others.

[@Michael_R1957]

One reason men in the 19th Century wore a lot of facial is because shaving then was rightly considered dangerous. ( if you cut yourself with the straight razor of that day it would often get infected and many men died. This left families without breadwinners.) The situation didn’t change until King Gillette popularized the safety razor. Another great video by Preston.

[@The1Mustache3]

Hahaha. No.

[@CreativeUsernameHere-r1k]

​@@The1Mustache3Actualy pre ww1 shaving was often dangerous for soldiers/workers etc. because yes straightrazors can cut deep if handled not so carefully.

[@SStupendous]

@@CreativeUsernameHere-r1k If you'd spent your life using them you'd have few problems though. My great-grandfather born 1890 apparently never had any issue with them and used them to the day he died in the 80s.

[@svt4001]

Excellent analysis and great presentation!

[@drip369]

Is this why we haven't seen Preston in a while? He had to grow out his sideburns? I would give him a bonus check for such discipline

[@drip369]

0:23 drats 🤣🤣

[@pjyast]

very late 90s and early 2000s were big for sideburns.

[@lucrio4088]

Hello to everyone at the Gentleman’s Gazette team! I was wondering if, after your hot/summer weather video, you’d perhaps cover how to stay stylish in humid weather as well. Where I live it gets hot in the summer but it’s always with a high humidity which makes layering with sports coats or vests very uncomfortable.

[@spaghettiking7312]

The wigs and the Victorian facial hair screamed individualism. I loved that there were so many styles; none look the same. I encourage people to embrace their uniqueness, not hide it.

[@neffyg35]

Hmm that's a good point. I guess in a era where there wasn't much variety for men, this is how they got to show their own style and personality

[@SStupendous]

Fully agree, which is why the latter half of the 19th century (specifically c.1858-80, decades of the '60s & 70s primarily) are my favorite period of fashion. Even a sack coat, trousers and typical shirt of the era as a basic look, say, from the 1860s can easily fit into today, most people I know either realize it's directly historical fashion I wear or just think it's drip Individualism in fashion in general

[@SStupendous]

@@neffyg35 Depends on exactly when, but there's a dozen fully different ways suits looked in the 1860s -80s for example, few cut quite the same way.... far more variation in neckwear, headwear, waistcoats (and collars!) than today. If it's an era where there's little variety for menswear, then we are all perfect clones now!

[@rhapsody1the]

i still rock sideburns

[@paulpaduraru4226]

I had sideburns and I loved them. I had them when I was 15 until now (18), I had to shave them because I join the army. In 3 years I rocked them like Elvis did in 50's, 68' and 70's.

[@Molach101]

I had a moustache and large sideburns as a teenager (15-17) before I grew a beard. They came down well past my ears, onto my cheeks.

[@darren6202]

I've had sideburns since I was in my very early twenties - I love 'em

[@godstemplar46]

Reason #1. Women don’t like big sideburns. Reason #2 For me my left sided sideburn grows in weird due to the fact that I sleep on that side. My right sideburn is perfect. I wear a goatee due to this.

[@evanhall6045]

Hello fellow gentlemen. I love the work you guys do but I have to inquire about a particular situation. I found a vintage a Brooks Brothers 346 line suit. It’s a three piece wool suit and the tag in the right inner pocket says 1907, but I just watched the video you guys did on menswear in the 1930s and it says zippers where starting to become more popular around that time. I can send you guys pictures or tell you more about it, but you guys seem like the folks to come to to help me get an answer of how old this suit is. I love you guys do keep up the good work

[@doug6259]

I never liked sideburns, especially the ostentatious 1970's version that went across the face. I even make a point of telling my barber that I don't want them.

[@giantsparkplug3462]

In Charles Dickens' "Our Mutual Friend" (1864), much is made of some men's jealousy and resentment of the ability to grow facial hair.

[@specs6637]

Since most men either rock a beard or a mustache, me having a goatee really makes me stand out among my piers. Especially since I’m the only one with it Honestly love my goatee, it feels like it completes me

[@madmat86]

When I was a reenactor in Napoleonic Era, I heard some people say that sideburns became popolar after the introduction of chinstraps on shakos (Early 1800s). Contemporary plates, incisions, paintings, seems to confirm that. After quit wigs and long hair due to the end of revolutionary fashion, after bicorns and tricorns were discharged for the adoption of shakos with metal chinstraps, soldiers started to grow their sideburns in order to protect chins from skin irritation (with occasional exception, soldiers were not allowed to grow mustaches or beards, so they could keep their sideburns) in the same way a peculiar, short tie was used to protect the neck from the friction against the collar of the jacket. I don’t know if it’s true and if it is the beginning of sideburns era, but it’s a fancy story.

[@MexieMex]

I think the big sideburns actually quite suited Preston.

[@Vikmanius]

I didn´t realize I was wearing sideburns until this video

[@the.dirty.pigeon]

Personally, I thing mid-ear, neatly trimmed sideburns look the most natural. Anything higher than that looks a boyish or awkward and anything lower is more of a specialty look… essential for rock and rollers, of course.

[@timeminecraft6019]

In recent years I’ve acquired side burns as our town does an annual Elvis celebration and it’s been easier to just keep them through the years. But they only go to the end of my ear and aren’t mutton chops

[@barrymurphy1337]

Interesting video! I've worn sideburns for about 30 years, short & cut just before the bottom of the ear with a short french crew cut.

[@derekmartin1631]

When I was eleven, I saw a guy sporting flared sideburns down to his chin and thought it looked awesome. As soon as I could, I grew them to that length and fashioned them in that style.

[@lachlanstaunts]

7:52 and 8:02 Michael Nesmith! My favourite Monkee! I knew there couldn't be a video about sideburns without Mike Nesmith making an appearance

[@SteveSkunk]

I am amazed you gentleman descided to make a video about this beard style, when I descided just this monday to try the Wilhelm the First's beard style

[@PlyzmP]

Incredibly creative video!

[@janerkenbrack3373]

I'll give you the answer to the sideburns query. They were called side whiskers, and when people were describing Burnsides, they began to have fun with the name. Burnsides side whiskers became Burnsides side-burns, as a play on his name that stuck because the General was in the news, picture included. He was prominently involved in several key battles of the American Civil War. When saying his name to others, it would be easier for them to get a mental picture by saying Sideburns.

[@CatHostage]

I’m a local and I’d like to think you made this episode after seeing me out and about as i have sideburns and long hair, not to mention a mustache. Loved the video!

[@renaissancesage]

OK the mutton chops….. absolutely hilarious. Well done and a good sport!!!! Thumbs up. On an unrelated note, I’m 65 and live in Florida and I’ve always worn a classic suit. Now that I am sadly no longer wearing a suit, I’m not sure what is stylish. I generally fall back on Lands’ End plaid shirts and khakis. Basically the senior prep look. So could you do a program on dressing up the older person. Or how to dress up grandpa. Appreciate the work you guys do. Be safe.

[@gentlemansgazette]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the mutton chops! You might find some useful tips here: www.gentlemansgazette.com/how-to-dress-your-age/?

[@evansikorski183]

I'm a simple side burned man. I see Preston presenting a video, I click on that video.

[@PurpleLover101]

Ive put together a look that I enjoy, its taken 2 years. But im finally happy, but ive always liked the idea of side burns. So ive started growing them in and gotta say, theyre not bad!. They work well with the suit ive put together and my head shape.

[@gfhjkfghj4208]

Greaser / Rockabilly hairstyles are everything but "unkempt". And that subculture has been the home of stylish sideburns for the last 70 years and counting. And I'm all for an Victorian age revival. Those were great years for European civilization, culture and inventions.

[@mysticmagicsmurfdarklord6844]

They didn’t stop wearing sideburns. Every member of Gentleman’s Gazette has sideburns. The only people who don’t have sideburns are people who have skin fades, and even then they still usually don’t shave all the way up above the war between haircuts. Thus, they have sideburns

[@Ultharclub]

I've been wearing small sideburns (young Elvis style) for over a 20 years now. I think they look stylish and vintage. For me "dated" = "cool". And yeah, looking like a time traveler is my goal.

[@WTFxItsANinja]

I searched youtube for tobuscus' sideburns song and saw this was the second video, would have never thought I was going to watch the whole thing but I'm glad I did... sideburns ✊️

[@jordandegraaff]

You gentlemen should do a comprehensive history of men’s facial hair. Also, General Burnside or his aid had dyslexia. That’s my guess.

[@hendrikjanriesebos1293]

Style icons the Blues Brothers wore side burns. Nuff said.

[@Momo_Kawashima]

As a greaser, you have no idea how many times I've been called "Elvis", but for my hairstyle

[@PickensMrSlim]

I've had mine since I was 15. There's a lot of different styles you can do with them. Of course they're not for everyone but if you can do them, do 'em!

[@Militaria-pr9rj]

Mattingly! I thought i told you to trim those sideburns!

[@tubularap]

At 15:34 Tom Hanks does not yell "Wilson, Wilson" but, according to the subtitles, yells "Well done, well said !" That was an almost hidden but deliberate joke, and I applaud the editors.

[@Fush1234]

An excellent presentation. 👍🏻

[@Pastel_of_Nate]

I've always admire sideburns (inspired by Corto Maltese) and I've sport mine for quite a while.

[@adstix]

This funny guy is undoubtedly the best professor on KZbin (with no side burns, of course!)

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Two notes: First, you did show a picture of Mr. Thoreau, you didn't talk about neck beards, which were quite popular in the 1840s. (According to some it was a birth control device). It was supplanted by some of the full beards that followed in the succeeding decades. There is, as I understand, something of a fan base for beards on the neck today, though not on anyone I know, nor would I encourage the look. Second, I had a good chuckle as you described the appropriate length of a contemporary side burn, because it sounded like it was conforming to the Navy uniform grooming standards I served under. "Go ahead, wear sideburns. So long as you can pass a uniform inspection."

[@MrDanielWP]

Neck beards are a birth control device in most places.

[@428ghost]

I rock the Friendly Mutton Chops: bare chin, mutton chops, linked by moustache. I'm also bald. And, like the Gentelman's Gazette staff, I tend towards dressing well in classic style. I've been told I look very much like an English country gentleman. Prior to this look I've alternated between clean shaven and different styles of moustaches during my careers. I prefer my current style. Stylish facial hair does require more maintenance in the morning, but so does classic men's fashion. Both are about living with intention. I find the process of grooming and selecting wardrobe focuses my mind the first thing of the day. I do custom work for people so I must pay meticulous attention to detail. I must impart that I pay that attention to detail in my daily life and by extension will do so with their projects.

[@manuelcamacho1898]

Hi! Thank you for another great video!! We know relatively little on how people actually looked before the 1800’s. Portraits and sculptures before then where mostly of wealthy people who wanted an idealised view of themselves, and in many cases hired models to pose as they would like to be remembered. Since ancient times, beards and side facial heard were mostly used for religious reasons or to cover scars. These could be of actual battles or from sword duelling (duelling in Europe was either to death or to “first blood”, a mark in the face as a sign for life). The main reason facial hair seemed to increase in fashion during the mid 1800’s is simply because of photography combined with the progress in medicine (Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole during the Crimean war). More survivors meant more scars to be covered with facial hair which could now be documented through photographs. Others followed. “Sideburns” were styled by many as military helmets required the use of chin straps, which could be tricky to wear with beards. Facial hair disappeared gradually during WWI effectively due to protection against chemical weapons. The French tried separate goggles and a mouthpiece, hence they facial hair lasted longer than others. The US Army did not enter the conflict until 1917 when the technology of gas masks had evolved, and clean shaves were a must. It is useful to refer to the use of head armour through history, too. Pre WWI, it seems like after craneal protection, the next step for those who could afford it was the “sideburns” area.

[@babygerald4645]

I can't wear a mustache because it would drive me nuts and I would look too much like my old man. I could grow a beard in about three days' time but won't because it would drive me more crazy than the mustache and it's such a trendoid thing to do these days. So I've been wearing sideburns since the 90s. Nothing crazy-- usually to the bottom of my ear and even with my haircut length. Electric trimmers with length attachments and a good pair of barbers shears are invaluable for keeping the bushiness at bay between haircuts.

[@sloth_e]

Side burns along with a huge variety of facial hair styles came back in full swing during the 90s. Full Beards took off in a big way mid 2000s and the moustache has been a big thing for the last 10 years. Beards of some sort id wager are the norm since the 90s. From styled stuble to the full beard, is more common than a clean shave.

[@Vivelabretagnelibre]

been wearing sideburns most of my life, as a tribute to Elvis & Johnny Hallyday, they give me more "power" & confidence ! never been criticized for that !

[@HenriqueRochaarq]

I've been using sideburns for around 12 years now

[@rex-up9ln]

Good video. I'd love to get a gentlemen's hair style guide from you, of there isn't one already. Thanks

[@gentlemansgazette]

We've got quite a few to choose from! This is a great starting point: www.gentlemansgazette.com/hairstyles-for-men-haircuts/?

[@Emanuele_Sacchi]

I actually love sideburns and mutton chops, but since I started shaving my head I opted for a full beard instead, pretty similar to Kyle

[@lexruptor]

I mean, we didn't, we just stopped wearing sideburns that were so thicc and scraggly. Now we keep them shorter towards the face, and don't let them grow all the way down to the chin. Sideburns are in the side, and are short, think David Tennant for example.

[@z-rex6068]

Had mutton chops going down to my jawline a few months back, gone now though because they were getting rather unruly. I was called Wolverine by my boss but he did say they were getting rather impressive. Someone else said I looked like Elvis. They were hard to maintain for me but they looked great. Perhaps I will grow them again somewhen.

[@danielimek2210]

I loved my sideburns, wore them with my shaggy parted hair (70s-80s look) for about 10 years until about 3 years ago. Now that I'm in my 40s I decided to go pretty clean cut, with a hairstyle actually quite similar to Preston's. ... But I do remember my sideburn days happily.

[@chronovore3726]

Yes, explore more beard topics.

[@ryanandrus144]

I've always had what you might call sideburns, or at least the hair has always come to half way down my ear.

[@veenahatolkar6297]

Do one on the Moustaches !

[@redscale82]

I used to have a full beard until a few years ago. A former colleague of mine bet a lunch and showed me a picture of Ambrose Everett Burnside. I kept the burnsides because I liked it and it fits my image. He still owes me that lunch.

[@cmcginley20able]

I used to rock friendly mutton chops through high school and then in college I just gave up on shaving and maintained a full beard. I've kept a full beard since because, as you stated in the video, I now have a haircut with a high and tight fade so mutton chops probably wouldn't look right. Whereas the beard can be incorporated into the fade.

[@insgrmnsk]

Looking good with sideburns, Preston! 😁

[@johnwojcik7916]

I really enjoyed my vintage Kaiser Willhelm mustache. However, my girlfriend did not like it. Sadly, shaved it away. As you can tell, I still pine for my lost facial hair.

[@jakecavendish3470]

Sideburns were the height of fashion in Britain in 1998-2001

[@ericgeneric135]

As a teenager in the 90s, I will always associate sideburns with the guys on Beverly Hills 90210. I knew a lot of guys who grew sideburns because the girls were obsessed with Luke Perry and Jason Priestley. Luckingly, Shaq's 1990s bald-with-sideburns look never caught on! 😂

[@abegarfield7031]

Many skinheads and skaters would disagree with that last statement.

[@vaidikpathanugami7971]

You must keep little large Sideburn , it will look good on you . At 15:30 , the style looked best on you . Just that you must not overly wild it , after 2 months of growth , Trim it with scissors.

[@donpalomon]

Preston se toma muy enserio su trabajo jajaja. Excelente vídeo

[@1977mathlete]

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, going clean shaven also coincided with the Sanitarian movement. By 1882, the germ theory of disease had been presented as fact but completely accepted by the medical community until just after WWI. The knowledge of specific pathogens causing specific diseases had outpaced the development of therapeutics. In response, many physicians started going clean shaven in order to be more hygienic since the belief was that microbes could spread through one’s facial hair.

[@JoJoJoker]

Many of those “current” sideburn photos are from 10-20 years ago…when today’s adults were little children. Sideburns were not a thing of Millenials’ parents…they had the terrible mustaches with negative sideburns (shaved parallel with the top of the ear)!

[@gerhard15]

A. Burnside came immediately into my mind ...

[@electriceye2108]

Have them couple years, bit below bottom ear. Need a medium length haircut to pull them off though imo

[@dandiehm8414]

The pictures of Elvis just JUMP off the screen.

[@abegarfield7031]

I'm sure there was a sideburn resurgence in the mid '90s.

[@mrmattypnw]

I wear sideburns just a short side burn I see nothing wrong with it it helps the face look better .

[@voltgaming2213]

It is one of the not so better choice in facial here but moustachee and beard looks great

[@sukmykrok3388]

I wear sideburns still. I went through a mutton chop phase a bit ago, haha! Fun times!

[@ElvesofZion]

I currently have a short full beard (no mustache), but I've done a few sideburn styles over the years. For a long time I had quite long peyot/peyos/forelocks in the Jewish tradition.

[@suem6004]

Haha 1970s sideburns. Manly stuff. Haha But as I am a reenactor and sometime actress in 1840s films.. So cool to see the gents grow their facial hair. Can tell locally who is preparing for film what with whiskers growing out while in modern dress.

[@davidnorth9390]

The topic is BRILLIANT INSPIRED!!! Somewhere... Elvis is smiling ;-)

[@phillipmarlowe0525]

The late Allan Dennison of the group Hamilton Joe Frank And Dennis ( formerly Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds) had huge sideburns. Lol May he rest in peace.

[@QuestforaMeaningfulLife]

Would love a history of beards video

[@j-prins61]

Can your team do a video on long hair for men as a hairstyle - ex: the founding fathers had long hair, then it fell out of style, then in the 2010s it saw a resurgence. But I’m sure theres more to know

[@nenadoyello5984]

Wore those my whole senior year at school, man have I rocked) it is a good change of temp in the life, seriously everyone start to treat you differently, not always good, but plebs will be plebs) Got into the university so start to shave clean but I will return! I liked my experience, it wast always good , but as I said plebs will be plebs) Live long and prosper 🖖

[@twiceremoved7339]

I fkn love my sideburns. Get compliments on them from strangers nearly every day. Long, but not bushy. Professionally trimmed and just passing the jaw.

[@alexeysaphonov232]

I shaved mine away just a month ago (after 16 years) because they got to grey and my wife said they make me too old-looking. Yep they are still visible on my picture.

[@HushtheMag]

I had sideburns from my early to late 20's, after so many years having them I just decided to go full stubble (shaving the neck of course).

[@jknw7033]

Can you please make a video about Ralph Lauren double RL. And if it is worth it.

[@timothybolt565]

I have friendly chops. Don't see changing anytime soon

[@JeffWilkinson]

Ever since I became an adult, I have always had facial hair of some sort. I have run the gamut of mustache, full beard and goatee, which is my look now, but always with some length of sideburns when not full-bearded. Right now I'm flirting with straight ones that end at the bottom of the ear. This could change as I may go back to a full beard to avoid looking like half the other gray-haired old men out there with goatees. 😆

[@TheBriteSide1979]

It's such a shame, sideburns are sooooo hot!! I love them!! The big ones like Mike Nesmith ❤

[@CrossTimbersSon]

MuttnchopPiper is the real mutton-chop KZbin pro!

[@ardadogukansimsek1533]

Loves From İstanbul

[@井上瀧奈]

Thank God we don't need to wear sideburns nowdays. But I think a little bit of mustache or beard is a harmless facial decoration.