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The Fall of the Moustache

Messages
11,385
Location
Alabama
As a young police officer in the 80's, I had a moustache and wore the aviators as well, as that was what I was doing before being hired. One afternoon, during a shift briefing before going on the road, I looked around the room of 17-18 officers and everyone of us had a moustache. There were no women in the briefing room that day. I went home that night at shifts end and shaved the moustache off. I didn't give up the aviators until transferring to plainclothes when I switched over to Wayfarer's. Thanks to Don Johnson and Miami Vice.
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
I like Ray Ban aviator style, but after awhile the weight causes a slight irritation
around the nose area.


After the military...I went around looking like this
for no specific reason.
dmsh7m.jpg

Was asked several times how I was able to escape the Bolivian
mountains and not get shot like “Che”.

10xapnp.jpg
 
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MisterGrey

Practically Family
Messages
526
Location
Texas, USA
^^^^
By age 6 & starting school, it was evident I required eyewear.
In my area, what was only available was the plastic thick style like “Clark Kent”.
1zccsh0.jpg

(Buddy Holly, who grew up in my neck of the woods.)
The photo on the far right is typical of my frustration for the fact that I wasn’t
able to grow a mustache. :(

Fun fact: These photos were taken by Holly in a photo booth, along with a very young Waylon Jennings. There are other photos from the same "session" depicting Jennings sporting his own pair chunky (sunglass) frames.

Waylon-Jennings-Buddy-Holly.jpg


EDIT: Some days I just don't know what I'm talking about!
 
Last edited:

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
^^^^^
Mr. Jennings claims that he was the one who lost the bet on the fatal flight.
I’ve read that it was someone else.

Waylon....
154g1hy.jpg

Sporting a goatee & black leather vest to boot.
 
Last edited:
Messages
11,385
Location
Alabama
like Ray Ban aviator style, but after awhile the weight causes a slight irritation
around the nose area.

2Jakes, I certainly get that but I know you remember this was a time before Oakley and the ensuing sports glasses companies gained a foothold. About the only glasses available outside of goggles were the Ray-Ban aviators with the spring loop temples and the heavy glass lenses for anyone involved in strenuous physical activities unless they were willing to or had to wear military combat glasses with the heavy duty, rubber band head strap.
image.jpeg
 

2jakes

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,680
Location
Alamo Heights ☀️ Texas
Greg, I have a pair of prescription “round” eyeglasses like Harold Lloyd
used to wear in his silent comedies.

I wear them around the house, but still not comfortable wearing them
in public.
I’m aware that nobody would give a “warm bucket of spit” (LM)
if I wear them or not.

Perhaps If I was to climb a building with a clock...I might wear them. :cool:
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,771
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
Greg, I have a pair of prescription “round” eyeglasses like Harold Lloyd
used to wear in his silent comedies.

I wear them around the house, but still not comfortable wearing them
in public.
I’m aware that nobody would give a “warm bucket of spit” (LM)
if I wear them or not.

Perhaps If I was to climb a building with a clock...I might wear them. :cool:

I see a lot of Harold Lloyd glasses on the street around here -- they seem to be enjoying a resurgence of popularity these days. My reading glasses are that type -- not so much for a style statement as the fact that they were only $39, and were the only frames at that price point that had lenses bigger than a peep-hole.
 

MisterGrey

Practically Family
Messages
526
Location
Texas, USA
Round glasses are certainly making a comeback, after years of being stigmatized as "Harry Potter Glasses." I enjoyed the books, but, for someone working in optical, that kid was the bane of my existence when dealing with any super-nearsighted person above the age of ten. I'm glad that there's finally a backlash against rectangular glasses; not to diss them, but, there are just some folks who benefit tremendously from roundies.
 

3fingers

One Too Many
Messages
1,797
Location
Illinois
More than one writer has speculated that this is the reason for the downfall of the stache:

famous-moustache-1.jpg
This is pretty much what my mustache looks like now though sadly it is the only resemblance to Tom that I can claim. I didn't start out to replicate the Magnum look since it has evolved over the years from handlebar and Fu Manchu to what it is now. I've never thought of it as being anything special. I grew what I wanted at any given time. My oldest son is 24 and he has never seen me without it. Lot of gray showing in it now.
 
As a young police officer in the 80's, I had a moustache and wore the aviators as well, as that was what I was doing before being hired. One afternoon, during a shift briefing before going on the road, I looked around the room of 17-18 officers and everyone of us had a moustache. There were no women in the briefing room that day. I went home that night at shifts end and shaved the moustache off. I didn't give up the aviators until transferring to plainclothes when I switched over to Wayfarer's. Thanks to Don Johnson and Miami Vice.

I think I've seen you before!!

555994-dangle_03.jpg
 

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