The World Beard and Moustache Championships is a grand event that gathers "bearded gentlemen" from around the globe, showcasing their unique charm through various distinctive and creative beard styles. Below is the characteristics of some classic award-winning beards based on past competition information, including the recent winner Louis Elmer:
Octopus Tentacle Style: German contestant Willi Chevalier won championships in the freestyle category in 2001 and 2005 with his layered beard resembling octopus tentacles .
Octopus Tentacle Style is one of the most imaginative and technically demanding categories in the World Beard and Moustache Championships. This surreal style mimics the twisting, curling arms of an octopus, requiring competitors to meticulously shape ... - Mila
Face-Covering Long Beard: American contestant Jack Passion won the championship in the "perfect natural" category in 2007 with his exaggerated natural beard that could completely cover his face .
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Architectural Style: Germany's Elmar Weiser achieved notable success with his windmill-shaped beard design, and his replica of London's Tower Bridge also earned him the heavyweight title for beards in 2007 .
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Radiating Chestnut Style: Also from Germany, Juergen Reinl's beard radiated like a mature chestnut burr, becoming a highlight in the freestyle category .
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Recreating Dali’s Classic: Salvador Dali’s mustache became a trend, with contestants imitating this iconic style every year; Max Pankor won the championship in the previous competition with this style .
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Elegant Small Curls: Gerhard Knapp was known for his signature elegant small curls, excelling not only in world championships but also in other events .
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Emperor’s Beard Style: Karl Hille won in the previous championship with his vintage-style emperor beard, reflecting the retro trend in the beard community .
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Innovative Styles: Some contestants drew inspiration from daily life, such as having a beard shaped like airplane wings, hinting at their profession as pilots or related fields .
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Weird Styles: Gandhi Jones surprised audiences with weird designs and expressions, eventually winning the lightweight freestyle mustache championship in the previous competition .
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Louis Elmer’s “Handlebar” Mustache: As the latest winner, British man Louis Elmer stood out in the 2025 competition. He won in the "full beard under 15 cm with styled mustache" category, defeating 400 competitors from around the world. To maintain the perfect shape, Louis almost daily washes, dries, oils, and uses three different types of beard wax to create his signature "handlebar" mustache. The judges favored symmetrical and large-curved designs, and Louis received full marks from three out of seven judges, scoring a total of 65.5 points (out of a possible 70) .
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )These descriptions highlight not only the classic beard styles from past competitions but also each participant's unique understanding and expression of beard art. Over time, we can expect more innovative and diverse beard styles to appear in future competitions. Additionally, Louis Elmer's story serves as an inspiration for those who have faced bullying, finding confidence and belonging through the friendliness and inclusiveness of the beard community.