The Van Dyke beard is not a new beard style, but it is incredibly popular, thanks partly to some of Hollywood’s leading men who continue to rock it! But it is also a great beard style because of how flattering and versatile it is. But what is this bearded look, and why is it a firm favorite for men’s facial hair? Keep scrolling to discover everything you need to know about the Van Dyke beard and how to get the look.
What is a Van Dyke Beard?
If you want a trendy way to grow your facial hair, you may be drawn to one of the classics, the Van Dyke beard. The look is defined by the combination of a mustache and goatee, but they are not connected, and the cheeks appear clean-shaven. The name comes from the 17th-century Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck (the beard is also sometimes spelled this way), who famously wore this facial hair and is largely responsible for its popularity. Despite being around for hundreds of years, there are ways to style the Van Dyke that make it feel modern and fresh.
What Face Shape Suites a Van Dyke Beard?
The Van Dyke beard remains one of the most popular options for facial hair for men of all ages. This is partly due to how flattering and versatile it is, letting you easily adapt the look to complement your face shape. That said, it is typically favored by men with diamond, oval, and triangle face shapes. Men with round faces can also rock the beard as it can enhance the angles of the jawline.
Van Dyke Beard vs. Goatee
There is some confusion about the difference between a Van Dyke beard and a Goatee, and it is not hard to see why this would be. The Van Dyke beard does feature a goatee, but it is also paired with a mustache (although they are not connected, and the cheeks remain clean). This is an element of the look, but the goatee does not have to be worn with a mustache. It is defined by the small pointed hair on the chin, with shaved cheeks.
How to Trim a Van Dyke Beard
The Van Dyke beard is an excellent choice for facial hair, but it is more maintenance than many other styles. This is because the hair on the cheeks needs to be clean-shaven, and the beard must be trimmed to keep its shape and look neat. You can head to the barber to get this done for you or learn how to do it yourself, thanks to the helpful process in this video by Oleg Kirill.
Step 1: Start with the sides of the face and ensure that the hair is properly removed (remember, this look benefits from clean cheeks).
Step 2: Focus on the goatee part of the look, trimming it to appear less full and bushy. You will also work it into a more pointed shape.
Step 3: Take a comb and thoroughly brush the beard. This will remove any loose hairs and allow you to continue styling them.
Step 4: Focus on the mustache and use your trimmers to shorten the hair and make it appear neater, giving you the desired polished look. You will then use a razor to remove the hair from the cheeks and create more precision.
Van Dyke Beard Styles
1. Classic Van Dyke Beard
The classic Van Dyke beard is the perfect combination of a neat mustache and a goatee. It is a look that is incredibly flattering and can be worn by men of all ages. It is also great for those struggling to grow facial hair (because the goatee is a small, pointed beard), making it an ideal alternative to some styles requiring fuller, thicker beards. The cheeks and neck will be smooth to create a polished finish. While this approach does take some upkeep, it’s worth it!
2. Long Scruffy Van Dyke Beard
When you wear the Van Dyke beard, it will usually be styled to a point and will be neat in appearance. But who is to say you cannot experiment with the results for facial hair that feels more you? Wearing it longer and opting for a scruffier approach can be great for those who prefer bushier strands. Keep the mustache around the same length for a more balanced finish.
3. Long Van Dyke Beard
Styling your Van Dyke beard to appear long is a great way to enhance the pointed shape. It is also ideal for men who prefer fuller facial hair. It will look impressive when paired with a mustache of similar length and thickness. To create a sleek finish, style your strands by brushing them backward, away from the face (this will also make your beard the focus of your appearance).
4. Short And Neat Van Dyke Beard
The appeal of the Van Dyke beard is how versatile it is, and there are many ways to try it. For those who prefer a neat approach, perfect for every day (including the workplace), trim your hair short and ensure the cheeks and neck are clean-shaven. This look will have less contrast, making it flattering and super wearable. This is the perfect option if you have patchy growth.
5. Van Dyke Beard With Imperial Mustache
What better way to get your facial hair noticed than pairing a neat, polished beard with an Imperial mustache? If we are being honest, this is one of the best ways to make a statement because the Imperial is unmissable due to its size, thickness, and the way it curls upward at the corners. It is synonymous with wealth and power and is a great addition for those who want something classic yet daring.
6. Van Dyke with Long Hair
The Van Dyke beard looks great on many face shapes and will complement various thicknesses of facial hair. Wear it with long hair to create an interesting contrast with a neat and polished beard. The combination makes for a ruggedly handsome finish but looks put-together and not scruffy. In comparison, if you also styled your goatee to be wild and long, it would produce a much more relaxed aesthetic.
7. Van Dyke With Trimmed Beard
A trimmed beard is an excellent choice for those who do not mind maintenance. Wearing shorter hair closer to the face can be flattering and ideal for a modern and youthful finish. It is also more manageable than longer, thicker styles but does require more style time and upkeep. Pair it with an impressive and lengthy mustache to create more contrast.
8. Van Dyke With Chin Strap
The Van Dyke is typically paired with a goatee, but some men adapt it to suit their face shape better or simply prefer different results. One way to do this would be with a chinstrap beard style. It is great for those who do not want to commit to full facial hair and is very flexible (letting you wear it in various lengths and thicknesses). It is a look best suited to those with strong features and a defined jawline. This is because it extends from the sideburns to under the chin.
9. Van Dyke With Full Beard
If the goatee feels too small and defined for your liking, then perhaps you can try out the elements of the Van Dyke look but instead pair it with a full beard. This is an excellent option for men who have no struggles growing facial hair. It will create a strong, masculine finish. It is also perfect for creating depth and texture, enhancing the jawline and your face shape.
10. Van Dyke With Mutton Chops
Mutton chops are a slightly less modern approach to facial hair. They can feel traditional, ideal for those who want a ruggedly handsome finish. They date back to the mid-19th century and focus the hair on the sideburns and jaw with the chin kept bare. It is also paired with a mustache. Often, the look is with sideburns which appear fluffy and unkempt. This is not the only approach; you can also style them to be shorter and cleaner for a neat result.
Van Dyke Beard FAQs
Is a Van Dyke beard attractive?
A Van Dyke beard is attractive and an excellent way to enhance strong facial features and complement your face shape. It can also be worn by men of all ages and is ideal even for those with patchy growth (because it is focused on the chin and mustache, with clean-shaven cheeks).
How do you get a Van Dyke beard?
The Van Dyke beard combines the classic goatee style and a mustache. You will keep the cheeks clean-shaven to create a neat and polished finish. The look requires regular trimming and shaving to keep it looking its best.
Cailyn Cox holds a degree in journalism and has been working with The Trend Spotter as a writer for over ten years. She has worked with some of the most prestigious women’s and men's lifestyle publications. For her, writing is not just a job; it’s a passion, which is why each article she writes is approached with such enthusiasm and dedication. She has extensive knowledge of hairstyles, tattoos, and beauty and has made a career out of creating informative articles that appeal to women and men of all ages.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Thank you for subscribing.
Something went wrong.
