Sideburns

Sideburns are a specific type of facial hair grown on the sides of the face. They typically extend from the hairline and run parallel to or beyond the ears.

This style can be worn alone or combined with other facial hair. For example, some men grow a moustache alongside their sideburns. If the sideburns connect to a moustache but leave the chin clean-shaven, they are called "friendly mutton chops." However, if the hair extends from ear to ear across the chin, it is no longer classified as sideburns. At that point, the hair becomes a beard, a chinstrap beard, or a chin curtain.

The term "sideburns" has a very specific history. It is actually a 19th-century corruption of the word "burnsides." This name honors Ambrose Burnside, an American Civil War general. Burnside was famous for an unusual hairstyle. He grew thick sideburns that connected to a moustache. Yet, he always kept his chin completely clean-shaven. This specific look helped define the name we use today.

Sideburns have appeared in human history for many centuries. We can find them on Roman masks and statues dating back to the 1st Century. One specific Roman figure, Elagabalus, is depicted with both sideburns and a moustache. In the 16th century, indigenous men in Mexico and Colombia practiced a different style. The Aztecs and other groups often shaved their heads but wore long, braided sideburns. These were known as "balcarrotas." These braids were prized as a mark of virile vanity. However, colonial authorities in New Spain eventually banned them. This ban was so unpopular that it resulted in rioting in 1692.

In South America, sideburns became a symbol of leadership and independence. Many independence heroes adopted the style. This included leaders such as José de San Martín and Manuel Belgrano. Other notable figures were Antonio José de Sucre, Bernardo O'Higgins, José Miguel Carrera, and Antonio Nariño. Because these men were so important, they are often depicted in paintings. You can even find their likenesses on various coins and banknotes.

Fashion trends for sideburns have risen and fallen many times. In the 19th century, sideburns were often much more extravagant than modern versions. Period literature often referred to these extreme styles as "side whiskers." These whiskers would hang well below the jaw line. In the early 20th century, the style went out of fashion quickly. During World War I, men were required to be clean-shaven. This was necessary to ensure a proper seal on their gas masks. While mustaches were still allowed, sideburns were not.

Sideburns saw a major comeback in the mid-1950s. Actor Marlon Brando helped popularize the look in the 1953 film *The Wild One*. Elvis Presley furthered this trend among various subcultures. Groups like "hoods," "greasers," and "rockers" wore them to highlight a rebellious, post-pubescent manliness. By the 1960s, sideburns were part of the counterculture. They were associated with "mods" and "hippies." In the 1970s, they became common in all walks of life. In San Francisco and Sydney, "lambchop" sideburns became a symbol of the gay club scenes.

Today, sideburns remain a versatile part of human appearance. They are a notable feature for many rock musicians, such as Stephen Stills, Neil Young, George Jones, and Lemmy. They are also seen on modern world leaders. Examples include Emmanuel Macron, who wears them short, as well as Javier Milei, Cem Özdemir, and Viktor Yushchenko. Famous actors like Adam Sandler, John Lithgow, and David Tennant also sport the style. Because of their long history, sideburns can represent many things. They can look Victorian, rebellious, or simply like a retro fashion revival.