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Keeping up with the latest fashion and style trends gets more difficult with old age. Fortunately for men, we have one highly versatile fashion accessory at our disposal: our beards. A new beard style can change our entire appearance. Check out these beard styles for older men over 60, and see if any of them fit your personal preferences.
Short-Boxed
The short boxed beard is great for men of all ages and styles. It gives you the fullness of a complete beard without unnecessary shagginess, which is not for everyone.
You’ll certainly have to trim your cheeks and neckline at least once a week to maintain the neat, boxed look, but this chore is a small price to pay for a well-kempt beard.
You might not be able to pull off the short boxed beard like George Clooney, but it will greatly refresh your appearance. This beard has enough volume to make your facial hair stand out, but it’s also short enough to blend in with the rest of your facial features.
Garibaldi
It’s no secret that your skin wrinkles with age. If you’re still not comfortable with the wrinkles around your mouth and neck, you can cover them up with a thick garibaldi beard. The growing process is pretty simple for this one. Just let your beard grow for a couple of months and brush it regularly so it grows downward.
The goal of the Garibaldi beard is to create as much volume as possible below the chin without letting it look naturally unkempt, unlike Ragnar beard wearers, who channel the aura of Viking warriors to evoke manliness. The thicker, the better. It might take several years to achieve the look that you’re shooting for, but the results will be worth the wait.
Gray Anchor
If your facial hair has already gone completely gray, the gray anchor beard is a perfect choice. This beard’s name comes from its resemblance to the anchor of a ship, featuring very little (if any) connection between the mustache and the chin. This choice is also good for men who can’t quite grow a full beard but have no issue growing a mustache and chin hair.
Van Dyke
The Van Dyke is a classy beard style for older men who want to look like gentlemen or high-profile individuals. The main attraction is obviously the mustache, which can be as simple as the Chevron or as arresting as the handlebar.
You’ll have to let your mustache grow longer than usual to achieve the proper Van Dyke look. You will also have to shave your cheeks to make the mustache and chin hair stand out.
This style is also perfect for guys with soul patches or a single patch of hair beneath the bottom lip. This patch is a natural centerpiece for the Van Dyke, bridging the mustache and chin hair.
Classic Goatee
Goatees are also great for old guys with beards because they’re easy to grow and maintain. No cheek hair is required.
Cheeks tend to have the patchiest facial hair and are the most problematic areas for men’s beards. If you have a problem with patchy cheeks, the goatee is the perfect beard choice for you.
Goatees are also highly versatile and look different on each person. Sometimes the mustache is the point of emphasis, and sometimes it’s the chin hair. This beard style truly suits all hair genetics
Five-O’Clock Shadow
Contrary to popular belief, your beard doesn’t get fuller as you age. Some guys are stuck with incomplete beards for their entire lives. If you’re one of these people, the five-o’clock shadow is your most logical beard style. Even a short layer of stubble can make a big difference.
The five-o’clock shadow and other short beard styles for older men are great at covering up wrinkles and making you look younger. These styles tend to be more popular among young men who are just starting to grow their beards. You might not be young anymore, but you can still look the part.
Balbo
The Balbo beard is often what happens when you let a goatee or Van Dyke grow out. The cheek hair is still absent, but the mustache and chin strap have much more volume. This beard style for older men is an excellent alternative for guys whose chin hair doesn’t connect to their mustaches.
Men who rock the Balbo beard prove that you can pull off an attractive, high-volume style with less-than-ideal facial hair genetics. It might not have the same presence as a full beard, but it’s arguably more impressive because you’re getting the most out of your limitations.
Mutton Chops
Mutton chops were popular in the mid-1800s thanks to prominent politicians and military men. This beard style has made a resurgence in the 21st century, thanks to celebrities like Hugh Jackman. It’s all about creating as much volume from the cheeks as possible. Chin hair is totally optional.
Beard styles for older men over 60 are supposed to rejuvenate their masculinity, and no style does that better than the mutton chops. You’ll look like a Civil War officer and an ‘80s WWE wrestler rolled into one. This beard exudes masculinity.
Ducktail
The ducktail is a full beard that tapers into a rounded triangle at the chin, helping cover a facial structure that has become softer due to age. Let the chin hair grow long, then trim it every 7 to 10 days to maintain its length. Keep the sides along the cheeks and jawline neatly trimmed.
This old man’s beard style projects wisdom and maturity. Distinguished yet modern, it works beautifully with salt and pepper hair.
Most older gentlemen wear the ducktail beard with a mustache, but you can break tradition and keep your upper lip clean-shaven. Go mustache-less to elongate your round or square face. Sculpting, oiling and brushing your V-shaped beard regularly is a must to maintain a sharp tip and prevent asymmetrical contours due to stray hair strands.
Gunslinger
The gunslinger features flared sideburns that connect to a bold horseshoe mustache. The cheeks can be clean-shaven or lightly stubbled, rounding out the style’s rugged cowboy aesthetic.
The older guys who usually sport this beard emphasize a strong jawline. The healthy upper lip and chin growth helps deemphasize cheeks whose hair has thinned out over time.
This beard oozes with timeless masculine appeal. As a gunslinger wearer, you can make a statement and command respect. Only a few can pull it off, which is why this beard style is perfect for men who are old enough to earn the right to stand out from the crowd.
Circle
Caption: “Will Smith se ha divertido en El Hormiguero” by El Hormiguero is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Also known as the connected goatee, the circle beard is the preferred style of older guys who like simple maintenance. It forms a continuous ring around the mouth, drawing the eye toward this dense area.
If you’re still in the workforce, this style allows you to look professional and polished. The neat circular outline frames your lips and underscores your chin.
This style lends definition to your facial structure without the commitment of a thick, bulky beard. The circle suits various face shapes and makes it easy to transition into more voluminous styles as you please.
Verdi
This beard style suits older men who want to communicate depth and artistry. Its signature elements include a relatively short beard with a soft, rounded taper, natural cheek lines and a handlebar mustache.
This look is synonymous with 19th-century aesthetics, exuding a cultured persona. It’s unapologetically bold and balanced between wild and groomed, which only mature men can confidently wear.
The key to achieving the Verdi is to keep the beard and mustache separate. The distinction between the two should be obvious. When waxed, curled and combed properly, the handlebar mustache should appear as the focal point, while the visually heavier beard quietly remains in the background.
How to Adopt a Fresh Beard Style as an Older Guy
Switching from one beard style to another can be challenging. Follow these tips to sport the look that suits your age better:
- Consider facial hair thickness: Narrow down options based on the areas you can realistically grow thick hair, as it’s easier to work with high volume than to style patchy stubble.
- Think about your face shape: Select a beard that can beautifully enhance your face’s geometry, length and width.
- Keep maintenance in mind: Choose a style whose upkeep you can handle to reinforce your desired look.
- Go to a barber: Allow your facial hair to grow as much as possible, then let a professional structure and style it based on your reference photos to see how it should look and know how to maintain it.
- Invest in grooming gear: Buy a traditional razor to trim your beard at home, and use multipurpose shaving cream, aftershave or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to soothe your skin on a budget.
Try New Beard Styles for Older Men Over 60
Some men might not be as focused on their appearance as they get older, but you should still try new beard styles as you age. You might discover that one of these beard styles for older men suits your facial features very well. What do you have to lose? Give one of these styles a shot!
Originally posted May 2, 2023 – Updated September 30, 2026
