I am huge proponent of using props and costumes to ease one's anxiety, make impressions, or change the social space. In my common quest for novel representation, I have employed a number of measures over my lifetime to accomplish these goals.
The Army stationed me a short distance outside of Austin, Texas during a time in my life where I sought the comforts of the goth community. I had left Los Angeles with a just a taste that developed into, through long conversations with Scott, a thirst. I would often attend these clubs by myself. Their musical arrangements, S&M sketches, and body-piercing demonstrations would clear or crowd the dance floor and I would often seek refuge outside on their back patios or leaned up against some wall.
To combat these moments I took to smoking as a primary means of appearing occupied and secondarily using the buzz, associated with smoking, to propel me onto the dance floor. The cigarette gave me a purpose, which comforted me, as I stood there alone overly concerned with what others might have thought of me. It eased my anxiety because it licensed me that real estate for as long as the cherry burned.
As I became more comfortable with the act of dancing, I was able to start without the impetus of a crowded floor or a cigarette. I stopped smoking. I did however carry a lighter for a number of years after, for the purposes of being Johnny-on-the-spot.
I didn't smoke to stand out from the crowd. I tried to fashion my dancing into something that someone would want to remark upon but ultimately it was often best to simply appear as furniture - as if you belonged. This is vastly different than my attitude most days in a large number of other places. Through the employment of cheesy shirts or the occasional tuxedo on a casual Friday I often want to stand out in people's minds.
This is very similar to what I had hoped to accomplish with the mustache and beard foolery. What I found from doing it is an amazing way for people to talk to me, to take interest in me, and ask me questions. At GENCON I was surrounded by an army of witty t-shirts and amazing costumes. I hoped to stand out by presenting a very overt demonstration of skill and personal expression.
My mustache went further than being memorable for quite a few people, because it actually broke down a lot of the social barriers. When I came up to a person they were often open because they had hoped to come up to me. Hoping to ask me questions related to the idea, construction, or maintenance. It reminded me of when my sister had gotten her eye-brow pierced, something more trivial today, and how people would constantly ask her about the details (DID it hurt?).
How one selects a prop is entirely up to the person and the situation. Props are useful in creating a novel interaction with individuals. Re-use of props cannot often bring refinement to the accompanying humor, stories, or performances. Too much use and you run the risk of the the prop easily dwarfing you, becoming pass, or becoming a crutch.
Again, I'm reminded of acting or role-playing and how props are useful for grounding you in the character. However, the idea is that with any prop it is used simply as the icing on the slice of cake your serving up. An elective decoration.