What are the best beards of US presidents? That’s something a lot of people are interested in, for a variety of reasons. A lot of the time, we have people who want to sport a beard, but they are uncertain how to do that properly. And that’s when they check the president’s beards for inspiration. Over the years, there have been many notable presidential beards. A study suggests that around 54% of men have beards, which is quite an important statistic to take into consideration.
It’s easy to see why, because mustaches and beards have seen a resurgence in popularity. A lot of people in Asia tend to have beards, and it’s also quite popular to have a beard in the US as well. Using presidents as the main source of inspiration for a beard can be a great idea, since over the years, many of them have had incredible beards. And that way, you can narrow down the right styles and ideas.
Abraham Lincoln
We can’t talk about famous beards without covering Abraham Lincoln’s beard. He had one of the most iconic beards in presidential history, and people even talk about it today. It’s not only about his beard style. Instead, he was and still is an icon in our society. Not only that, but he was able to embody ideas, bring in a sense of moral leadership, and showcase a sense of integrity. His beard had a distinct influence, something rarely seen.
James Garfield
When we talk about presidents’ beards, we have to cover Garfield as well. Many consider it to be the philosopher’s beard, and one that stood the test of time. After all, we talk about this dense, intelligent-looking beard even today. This highlights how distinctive it was and how it challenged conventions. At the end of the day, that’s what sets him apart: dignified grooming without flamboyance. Instead, he maintained a serious and dignified appearance. Like Lincoln, he was assassinated, but stories about him and his beard continue to be spread all over the world. That goes to show the importance that he had in our society and how much he influenced people.
Ulysses S Grant
Many consider him to have one of the best beards of US presidents, for many reasons. He had a modest beard, sure, but he was able to maintain a great sense of authority. And on top of that, he was still one of the top military authorities. He was extremely charismatic and professional, and he pushed the boundaries while enhancing his unique style in more ways than expected. Yet at the same time, he always focused on endurance and growth.
Rutherford B Hayes
He had a majestic beard and one of the best presidents’ beards out there. His stunning beard impressed people because it was flowing, yet at the same time, it showcased a great sense of discipline. And on top of that, he groomed it very well, so it always looked incredible. Hayes was the person who brought a lot of moral authority, and he knew how to impose respect. It was that kind of stuff that truly allowed him to stand out, and his beard was an embodiment of professionalism and being a gentleman during that time.
James Buchanan
Buchanan had one of the most different US presidents’ beards out there. He had full white sideburns. And since he was wearing rather conservative garments, he always had a beard to complement them. And clearly, his iconic image continues to stand out and impress people, which is what makes him such an excellent person to consider as a role model for your beard. He has one of the top beards in U.S. presidential history, after all.
Franklin Pierce
Like many others during his time, Pierce had sideburns that were able to make him stand out with a unique look and visual style. And not only that, but he had a very dense beard that highlighted his capabilities. Additionally, it inspired a great sense of trust during that time.
Millard Fillmore
Fillmore had sideburns like many others, and he embodied the trust people sought during his time. He had a genteel appearance. He looked conventional, but also balanced and very serious. His beard was able to highlight a sense of trust that not all US presidents’ beards were able to do. With that being said, during his era, grooming equated to having a great moral character, and that’s exactly the thing that you had to focus on.
However, he was also a very civil person and one who took things with moderation. That allowed him to focus on growth, push the boundaries, and enhance how people were thinking at that time.
John Adams
Adams was shown as clean-shaven in many official portraits. However, during the latter part of his life, he did have facial hair. It allowed him to show a great sense of wisdom, not to mention that it reflected his activist work at that time. Not only that, but he had one of the top beards when it came to style. And that’s why many consider him to be a great inspiration, and unlike anything that you would find out there.
William Howard Taft
Taft had a waxed, wide moustache that complemented his personality and look as a whole. In fact, many remember him for the way he looked and the dignified, rather large mustache. It was quite common to see the best beards of US presidents in the 19th century, as during the 20th century they shifted towards a more clean-shaven look. That’s why he still remains one of the top presidents when it came to his look and outstanding personality, and people still remember him for that today as well.
Zachary Taylor
Taylor had a battlefield-ready look, which was quite normal for people during his time. He spent a lot of time on the battlefield, and that meant his beard was unkept. But that was expected, because he was a clear indicator of resilience, pushing the boundaries and focusing on the success of his side in the war. That’s why he had a formal, neat, and definitely not a pretentious beard to begin with. It was naturally expected, and something few people were able to achieve.
Benjamin Harrison
He had a silver, crisp beard that was unlike any other person during those times. And he was president during the Gilded Age. That’s why he had a representative beard for that time. His beard conveyed authority, but also stoicism and a sign of respect. As we know, during that time, America saw a lot of modernization. His beard was a clear indicator of professionalism, hard work, and reliability during that time in US history. It just goes to show how different people were during that time, and how their look was extremely influential.
Theodore Roosevelt
When we talk about the best beards of US presidents, we have to mention Roosevelt, for many reasons. First, he had a great mustache and beard combo, one that impressed a whole lot of people. On top of the fact that it exuded confidence, it also brought in a sense of focus, action, and growth, which you rarely get to see these days. And not only that, but he was always focused on reform and masculinity. That’s why his beard design is iconic, and a lot of people will appreciate checking it out, just because it’s so distinct and unique in the first place.
Jimmy Carter
Carter didn’t really have a beard while he was the president. However, he had one after he was the president, in the latter part of his life. But his modest facial hair was quite interesting, because it became symbolic. It was less of a political statement and more of a personal emblem that showed humility, professionalism, and a true focus on achieving great things. That’s why many people see his beard as iconic and one of the best out there.
Martin Van Buren
He had enormous, fluffy sideburns, which allowed him to look very distinctive. And on top of that, his mutton chops were iconic, but also in line with how the early 19th-century looks were at that particular time. He was rather fashionable, yet at the same time, his looks inspired intellect, knowledge, and also brought in a sense of authority.
Bill Clinton
We all know Clinton as being clean-shaven for most of his presidential run. However, after he became president, he started having a more relaxed look. His beard style is more of a casual one, nothing too complex or fancy, and it did manage to make him more of a regular citizen rather than someone with a more complex look. It is interesting to say the least, even if this was not a look that he sported for a very long time.
William McKinley
William McKinley had a very distinct look and a mustache quite different from all the other people in this list. That being said, he was the defining figure of the latter part of the Victorian era. He had a very disciplined look, great composure, and he focused a lot on grooming. It really showed his character, and many appreciate him for having one of the best beards of US presidents. Granted, many presidents from the golden era had amazing beards, so it’s rather difficult to choose.
Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland’s look has always been a very iconic one. Like many other presidents from that era of the United States, he had a thick mustache as well. The facial hair was rather bold, and it showed how determined and focused he was. For that time, his beard was showcasing a great sense of character and focus, while also making a major statement of confidence, and that really says a lot about him and his unique style.
Andrew Johnson
Not a lot of people remember Andrew Johnson when it comes to presidents’ beards. That’s because he had a rather uneven facial hair. But that was a reflection of how life was at that time; there was political instability, and a lot of challenges were abundant. However, this reflects the unique challenges of that period.
Calvin Coolidge
Calvin Coolidge didn’t have a beard during the time he was president; he was more focused on having a very interesting and distinctive mustache. That being said, he had a minimalist approach to his looks. And that approach was what he focused on when it came to politics as well. The primary focus was on avoiding any excess or flashiness. Instead, he wanted to make a huge difference in the lives of real people, and that’s exactly what he was able to achieve.
Barack Obama
We can’t finalize this list with the best beards of US presidents without adding one of the recent presidents in the form of Barack Obama. And yes, while Obama did not have a beard during his time as president, later in his life, he decided to have a beard, and it looked quite good on him. He has a very distinct, classy look with the beard, while also not being too flashy. It’s definitely the type of beard that you may want to check out if you want to use presidents’ beards as inspiration.
Conclusion
Clearly, there’s no denying that there are many of the best beards of US presidents you can use as inspiration for your own beard. What really matters is to figure out the right beard style that fits you and your needs. Ideally, you want to experiment, try out something new, and narrow down the best approach when it comes to growing a beard. Using the US presidents’ beards as a guideline is a great idea, because many of them had iconic beards. And yes, many of them can be used as inspiration even today!