Something worth fighting for: The definitive ranking of Yellowstone mustaches

10. John Dutton Sr. — 1923

Played by: James Badge Dale

Mustache Style: A little pepper to go with all that salt

Technically, Badge Dale is sporting a full beard in his role as John Dutton Sr. in 1923 but, whether by nature or cosmetic alchemy, his beard is fully silver while the mustache has stayed gray. This is the first of a few mustaches included on this list where the lip foliage is defined by color, enough that we can distinguish the mustache as a distinct entity even when paired with a beard.

I will admit I have been in the bag for Badge Dale since the days of Rubicon and this isn’t even his best work with a mustache (catch him rocking a truly epic Chevron in The Long Ranger). But, in a role where his character mostly blends into the background and doesn’t even survive half a season) his salt-and-pepper combo here helps him stand out.

9. Kayce Dutton — Yellowstone

Played by: Luke Grimes

Mustache Style: Chevron/Walrus

Luke Grimes’ mustache is filled with incredible untapped potential but, like the character he plays, is too often overshadowed, becoming all but invisible. In from a follicular perspective, the culprit is a wild tangle of beard that frequently matches the mustache in length. Without any difference in coloration, like with Badge Dale, it all just becomes one patchy beard. The overall effect is certainly pleasing to the eye but we can’t see the trees for the forest, or the mustache for the beard, as it were.

The same is true for Kayce Dutton, he has spent multiple seasons trying to figure out who he wants to be and where he wants to commit his talents and his passions, his love and his loyalty. The last time we saw him, he was taking over the ranch as Rip and many of the other hands depart for Texas. Maybe we’ll see him break out an Excelsior in the second-half of season 5, signaling that he is finally at piece with his identity and role within in the family.