Mutton Chops Beard Styles: Top 10 Picks + How to Grow & Trim

Overgrown sideburns might not be the ideal look for everybody, but we think mutton chop beard styles are amazing and fun. Sideburns beards are making a comeback, and it seems they’re here to stay.

The mutton chop styles are one of the oldest and have an old-timey feel to it, but you might actually associate the look with a certain grumpy X-Men character who sports retractable claws. 

The mutton chop look is a great fit for any face shape, and it gives off a distinctly masculine vibe. 

Read on to find out more about this versatile and unique facial hair style, as well as expert tips and strategies for growing and maintaining them.

10 Best Mutton Chop Beard Styles For Men

Mutton chops come in countless variations, each with its own character and appeal. Here are 10 standout styles to consider.

1. The Thin Mutton Chops

This is a great beard to help frame your face and create that square jawline everybody’s raving about. It works best when it’s paired with a connected moustache. You can trim your lines to perfection, or you can create a cool fade to finish up your badass look.

2. The Chin Curtain Mutton Chops

If you’re looking for bold and daring, a chin curtain beard is a good one to try out. It’s basically a regular mutton chop beard style that you’ll need to trim low on your jawline. 

To pull off this style - AKA the Wolverine mutton chops - your beard should be long, and if done correctly, it should resemble a fancy curtain clinging to the edges of your face.

Bonus Advice: Need more advice? Explore our guides on how to grow and how to trim the chin curtain beard.

3. The Disconnected Mutton Chops

This version of friendly mutton chop beards will require growing a mustache that doesn’t connect with your beard. The cool thing about this style is that you can play and experiment. You can choose a more subtle mustache or you can go for an impressive handlebar mustache. You can have fun with this look and personalize it to fit your own style.

4. The Neat Mutton Chops

Also known as the Elvis Presley mutton chops, this is a perfectly balanced look fit for any occasion. Everything should be combed and groomed to perfection, with not one hair out of place. The neat mutton-chop beard was made for gentlemen, and it oozes self-confidence and charm.

5. The Soul Patch Mutton Chops

This variation is paired with a soul patch for that extra bit of flair. You can also take some creative liberty and transform your soul patch into a chin puff or a landing strip goatee.

Explore our detailed guide on how to grow a soul patch beard. 

6. The Bushy Mutton Chops

Think wild and untamed, and picture a beard that’s not limited by straight lines and fancy fades. In the 60s, this style was known as the John Lennon mutton chops. 

Let your beard grow as it may and enjoy the freedom of having a bushy beard that spreads along the sides of your face. This is a low-maintenance version of the curly mutton chops beard, and we totally love it.

7. The Complex Mutton Chops

If you’re a fan of complicated beard styles, you’re going to love this one. You can trim and shape your mutton chops to turn your facial hair into a unique art piece. We just love the sharp, perfect lines that create patterns, structure, and depth. 

This beard style is a perfect way to show off one’s mastery of the trimmer and razor blade.

8. The Stubble Mutton Chops

There’s nothing subtle about this stubble. This is basically the fastest way to achieve a mutton chops beard. Trim your stubble beard to an equal length and use a razor to shave the hair on your neck and chin. 

You can opt for a stubble version of either regular or friendly mutton chops beard styles.

9. The Almost Mutton Chops

This minimalist beard style is a great option if you’re trying to work up your courage to try a bolder look. You can trim your hair closer to the edges of your face. This will look more like really long sideburns, but it’s a great place to start.

10. The V-shaped Mutton Chops

Creating a V-shape with your beard will accentuate your features and elongate your face. You can achieve this look with a regular mutton-chop beard by trimming your hair to create a right angle at the point where your jaw turns upwards. 

This will help make your jawline look square and strong.

How to Grow a Mutton Chops Beard

Getting the perfect mutton chops beard starts with patience and the right grooming routine. Here’s how to grow them properly:

  1. Let It Grow Naturally (4–6 Weeks) – Avoid trimming during the first month. Let your facial hair grow evenly on the sides and along the jawline.

  2. Define the Growth Area – Visualize your mutton chops shape early on. You’ll want the hair to extend from your sideburns down to your jaw while keeping the chin mostly clean.

  3. Moisturize and Condition – Use oil or balm daily to prevent itchiness and promote healthy growth. This keeps the hair soft and manageable.

  4. Brush Regularly – Train your beard to grow downward and stay neat by brushing it every day with a quality beard comb or brush.

  5. Maintain a Balanced Diet – Proper nutrition supports thicker, healthier facial hair. Focus on foods rich in protein, biotin, and vitamins A, B, and E.

  6. Be Patient and Avoid Early Shaping – Resist the urge to trim too soon. Once you’ve reached full growth, you can shape your chops precisely to match your preferred style.

Benefits of Growing Mutton Chops

This bold look offers practical benefits and aesthetic advantages that few other beard styles can match.

Creates a Rugged, Masculine Look

Mutton chops naturally enhance your facial structure in powerful ways.

What they do for your face:

  • Add width to narrow faces, creating better balance

  • Define and strengthen your jawline with bold vertical lines

  • Project confidence and individuality instantly

  • Create a distinctive, memorable appearance

Grooming tip: Keep your mutton chops looking sharp with regular beard oil applications. This maintains softness, prevents dryness, and enhances that rugged appeal without making your beard look unkempt.

Surprisingly Simple Maintenance

Despite their bold appearance, mutton chops are easier to maintain than you'd think.

Why maintenance is straightforward:

  • Focus only on the sides of your face - less area to groom than a full beard

  • Everything else gets trimmed or shaved away completely

  • Weekly touch-ups keep the style looking fresh

  • No complicated shaping or blending required

Pro tip: A quality beard grooming kit with a precision trimmer makes maintenance even easier. Clean lines are everything with this style.

Extremely Adaptable to Your Style

One of the biggest advantages of mutton chops is their versatility.

Customization options:

  • Trim them thin for a subtle look or grow them bushy for maximum impact

  • Keep them disconnected or connect them to a mustache

  • Add a soul patch, goatee, or landing strip for extra flair

  • Create sharp lines for a polished look or soft fades for something more relaxed

  • Adjust the shape to complement your specific face shape

The adaptability means you're not locked into one look - you can evolve your style as your preferences change.

Guaranteed to Stand Out

In a world of generic beard styles, mutton chops make you unforgettable.

Why they turn heads:

  • Rare enough to be distinctive, not so unusual that they look out of place

  • Signal confidence and willingness to take style risks

  • Work in both casual and more formal settings (when well-groomed)

  • Create conversation starters and leave lasting impressions

If blending in isn't your goal, mutton chops deliver bold, unapologetic style that sets you apart from the crowd.

How to Trim Your Mutton Chops Beard

Achieving clean, well-defined mutton chops requires patience, the right tools, and proper technique. Follow these steps for professional results:

  • Grow it out first - Let your facial hair grow for 4-6 weeks before trimming. You need sufficient length to shape properly and allow patchy areas to fill in.

  • Choose your style - Decide between classic mutton chops (disconnected from mustache) or friendly mutton chops (connected to mustache). You can also add soul patches or custom variations.

  • Gather your tools - You'll need a beard trimmer with guards, precision trimmer, beard scissors, and a quality razor. Keep beard oil and balm on hand for daily maintenance.

  • Create separation - Start by shaving your chin, neck, and (for classic style) mustache area completely. This creates clear definition between both sides of your face.

  • Trim incrementally - Work from your chin toward your ears in small cuts until you achieve desired width. Use a precision trimmer for crisp edges and finish with a clean shave for polish.

  • Connect the mustache (optional) - For friendly mutton chops, trim your mustache to match your sideburn length for seamless connection. Alternatively, style a distinctive handlebar or pencil mustache.

Get a Unique Beard Style Fit for the Fiercest of Warriors

Modern mutton chop beard is bold, distinctive, and undeniably masculine.

With the right trimming technique, consistent maintenance, and quality beard products, you can achieve sharp, well-defined mutton chops that enhance your jawline and set you apart from the crowd. 

Embrace the rugged appeal, stay committed to your grooming routine, and wear your mutton chops with the confidence they deserve.

Check out The Beard Struggle for premium beard care products and expert grooming guides to help you achieve an amazing Viking beard. Need assistance? 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the mutton chops?

The sideburns beard or classic mutton chops beard was named after a 19th-century American general and senator, Ambrose Everett Burnside.

Why are sideburns called mutton chops?

The original sideburns beard, inspired by a 19th-century American Civil War general, was eventually called a mutton chops beard due to its resemblance to the small cut of meat from a sheep’s ribs.

Sideburns vs. mutton chops – What’s the difference?

The main difference between sideburns and mutton chops is the facial hair placement. Sideburns are strips of hair that grow in front of your ears, while a mutton chops beard covers the sides of your face along the jawline.

What face shape suits a mutton chops beard?

Mutton chops beard styles work well for any face shape but are especially suited for round and oblong faces. A mutton chops beard adds width to your face and creates a stronger, sharper jawline.

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