Clandestine services mustache

My intent had been to have something between what I would call a “natural chevron” and those classic straight across the upper lip, well-maintained mustaches sported by the various diplomatic and clandestine services chaps working in offices, and seen about town among the extras, in BBC’s Smiley’s People. I ended up with something very Brad Pitt-Errol Flynn-Hollywood; in fact, that book The Mustache Bible, which I believe had originally been published in Italian (author/illustrator is one Stefano Rossetti, pen name “Theodore Beard”), calls it an “American mustache,” thin, well-maintained, sloping ever so slightly downward, and scores it 4 1/2 out of 5 for charm (the only one higher for charm, I believe, is the chevron at 5 out of 5; the chevron is also 5 out of 5 for manliness, while the American is 3 out of 5, but I’m more Errol Flynn than I am Tom Selleck, aren’t I?)

I’m quite happy with it. I did before and after photos with my phone. The before truly was a walrus and had no natural appeal other than fetish reasons: if it takes me imagining myself at the Eagle to make a mustache work, it’s not a good look, especially in these times when it seems going to the Eagle again is at least six months off. No, better a clandestine services style mustache, because I can imagine while I’m in the house all day every day (I haven’t gone farther than the porch since my last session with M_____ a week and a half ago; yikes!) that I’m involved in some covert project.