We shall see when punters gather for the 2024 Network Waitaki Victorian Fete in Oamaru on Sunday.
The fete and the preceding heritage week celebrate the spirit of the second half of the 19th century, when Victorian men were sometimes referred to as gentlemen and the women as ladies.
But in the matter of facial accoutrements, handheld moustaches and even woolly whiskers will be acceptable at fete day where the beard and moustache competition is a popular feature.
And be warned: shy whiskered individuals or those sporting a straggly handlebar moustache may be pulled in for a measure — all in good fun.
Co-organiser Martin Horspool, who will be overseeing proceedings with master of ceremonies "Mullet Man", said the competition was open to all genders.
That included those with the creative bent to enhance their facial features with designer whiskers or even a handheld moustache.
Knitted, crotched, "or however it is interpreted" would be eminently acceptable.
"It’s not just the facial hair — it’s how it’s presented," Mr Horspool said.
And some die-hards will be preening, brushing or waxing stray bristles in the hope they will be judged best beard, best moustache, best "whiskerina", or best freestyle.
They stand to win a package of prizes from Bruce’s Barber in Oamaru.
The fete is the major event drawing Oamaru’s Victorian Heritage week, which starts on Thursday, to a close on Sunday.
