A hipster mustache is a mustache that often is worn ironically, and individuals who sport this style often do so for comical reasons. Some mustaches are modeled after those worn by individuals in the past, such as one that's thick and based on styles that were popular in the 1970s. Other hipster mustaches might be styled more archaically. A handlebar mustache, for example, which is curled at either end, has not commonly been worn by more conventionally dressed individuals for many years.
Many different definitions exist for the term "hipster." Most commonly, the term is used to describe individuals in their 20s and 30s who populate fashionable urban neighborhoods. These individuals might favor counter-cultural styles of music, art, film, and dress. Hipsters often wear ironic clothing and champion values such as creativity and open-mindedness.
While many people believe that hipster mustache styles originated as a way for members of the counter-culture to mock conventional ideals of fashion and style, some believe that this kind of mustache has a more straightforward appeal. Instead of being worn ironically, it is possible that, in some contexts, these mustaches are worn for purely aesthetic reasons.
To some degree, any mustache worn by an individual who might be classified as a hipster can be considered a hipster mustache, but most are groomed extensively and may seem deliberately archaic or out of style. This style of facial hair is popular among many people who may not be classified as hipsters, such as members of the fashion industry. For this reason, one does not necessarily have to be worn by a hipster.
Some fashion and style experts point out that many women now wear fake hipster mustaches. Some trace this trend back to popular music videos produced by independent rock bands that are favored by hipsters. Women in fake mustaches appear in fashionable magazines and on social networking sites. It also might be common to see them at parties, where the mustaches as given away as favors.
The term is often used in a derogatory manner by opponents of hipster style. For example, an individual who believes that a man is too superficial may criticize him for spending so much time on his "hipster" mustache. This style of facial hair has become popular among many groups of people, however, so the term also can be used in an unbiased way to describe a look.