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Breaking Down the Soul Patch: What You Need to Know
The soul patch is a facial hair style that has gained popularity among musicians, artists, and celebrities. While seemingly simple, this style choice holds a deeper cultural significance.
Ahead, we’ll break down the soul patch by exploring its benefits and providing various styles for your inspiration. Whether you’re a soul patch enthusiast or simply curious about this unique facial hair style, read on to learn everything about soul patches!
What is a Soul Patch Beard?
A soul patch beard is a small, neatly trimmed patch of hair grown just below the lower lip and above the chin. It is typically narrow and rectangular, often referred to as a “flavor saver” due to its positioning near the mouth.
When jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie first donned the style, the soul patch didn’t have a name. Gillespie called it his “jazz dab,” and others dubbed it the “Dizzy Gillespie beard.” Despite its unique appearance, the look quickly gained popularity in the late ’40s.
Today, the soul patch remains a popular facial hair style that’s easy to maintain and versatile enough to pair with other styles.
Benefits of Having a Soul Patch
The soul patch beard has several benefits, making it a popular choice among men. While it may seem like a tiny improvement, growing a soul patch can actually have several benefits, including:
- Boosts Confidence: Having a unique and stylish look with a soul patch can help boost one’s confidence. It will make you feel confident and stand out in a crowd.
- Makes You Look Older: If you’re looking to appear a bit older or more mature, a soul patch can help. It can add some gravitas to your look without requiring much maintenance.
- Adds a Bit of Edge: If you want to look more edgy, a soul patch is a great place to start. It can give you that rugged and rebellious look.
- Easy to Maintain: Unlike other facial hair styles, a soul patch requires minimal maintenance. It’s easy to groom and keep looking neat and tidy.
In short, a soul patch can be a great addition to any man’s style. It can boost confidence, make you look older and wiser, add some edge to your look, and is easy to maintain.
Best Soul Patch Beard Styles for Men
Looking to rock a soul patch beard? Check out our guide to the best soul patch beard styles for men!
Long Soul Patch
This edgy variation of the classic soul patch style features a longer patch of hair grown just below the lower lip, with a small strip extending down onto the chin.
Unlike a traditional soul patch, which is typically short and rectangular, a long soul patch beard can vary in length and width.
Some men prefer to grow their soul patch to extend a few inches down their chin, while others may opt for a longer, tapered strip of hair that gradually thins out toward the bottom.
Soul Patch with a Mustache
This cool and stylish look combines a small patch of hair below the lower lip with a well-groomed mustache that extends down the upper lip and onto the cheeks.
What makes the soul patch with a mustache so unique is how it highlights and enhances the face’s natural contours. The mustache draws attention to the upper lip and cheekbones, while the soul patch provides a subtle contrast that adds depth and definition to the overall look.
Soul Patch with a Mustache and Jawline Beard
This unique and stylish look combines three classic facial hair styles to create a bold, eye-catching aesthetic.
The soul patch, grown just below the lower lip, draws attention to the center of the face, while the mustache, extending down onto the cheeks, highlights the upper lip and cheekbones.
And the jawline beard, growing along the jawline and connecting to the sideburns, adds definition and structure to the overall look.
Soul Patch with a Mustache and Chin Beard
Soul patch with a mustache and chin beard is a facial hair style that involves the growth of a small tuft of hair beneath the lower lip, along with a mustache and beard that extends from the chin.
This style is well-known among men who aspire to achieve a rugged yet refined appearance. The soul patch, mustache, and chin beard can be styled in myriad ways to suit individual preferences and face shapes.
Soul Patch with a Goatee
A soul patch combined with a goatee, as once seen being worn by Tom Waits in the 70s, presents a unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles. It’s a striking choice for those who wish to stand out without being too flashy.
The soul patch adds a vintage appeal, while the goatee, a small tuft of hair on the chin, lends a modern edge. Together, they create a vivid contrast that can suit any face shape or personality type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is another name for a soul patch?
The soul patch is also commonly known as a “mouche”, French for fly, or a “jazz dot”, as it was popularized by jazz musicians in the 1950s and 1960s.
What is a mustache with a soul patch called?
A mustache with a soul patch is typically referred to as a “Van Dyke” or a “Goatee.” The Van Dyke style is a combination of a mustache and a pointed chin beard, while the Goatee refers specifically to a small beard or tuft of hair on the chin, often accompanied by a mustache.
Is a soul patch a goatee?
No, a soul patch is not a goatee. While both styles involve facial hair grown on the chin, a soul patch consists of a small patch of hair located just below the lower lip, whereas a goatee is a more substantial beard style that typically includes hair on the chin, cheeks, and sometimes the mustache.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the soul patch is a versatile and classic facial hairstyle that’s easy to grow and maintain, whether you want to look edgy or simply want to try a new facial hair style.
With its unique placement and subtle appearance, whether you pair it with a mustache, chin beard, or any other style, it’s the perfect choice for those who want to experiment with facial hair without going all-out.
So if you’re considering trying a new facial hair style, why not give the soul patch a chance? So go for it, and see what the soul patch can do for you!
