The return of the beard NYT's article

[Lena]

i've been noticing so many new season 'fashion' bilboards on the metro featuring models with short beards.. seems like this is actually the most unlikely niche trend, aiming for the non 'fashionable' not to say 'anti-fashionable' consumer?

but it sure it seems like its been catching up real quick over here

 

[xiao_ai009]

hm.. I'm not a big fan of beards, but that was an interesting article nonetheless.

 

[djork]

my work asked me multiple times to shave my beard off.

 

[milkeyedmender]

For the folk/experimental style, also check out Cocorosie...Prada used them a lot as well.

my favourite band ever.

 

[sstrang]

i've been noticing so many new season 'fashion' bilboards on the metro featuring models with short beards.. seems like this is actually the most unlikely niche trend, aiming for the non 'fashionable' not to say 'anti-fashionable' consumer?

but it sure it seems like its been catching up real quick over here

You make a good point. I can definitely see the validity of this theory, since the broader the clientele, the more money to be made. But regardless of whatever is popular in GQ and Details, I still think beards look bad. We must remember that we shouldn't let what is currently popular in fashion dictate our own personal taste. ; )

 

[Lena]

^
of course, personal taste and trend marketing are two totally different universe(s).

personally i dont really find beards 'atractive' but i should be blind not noticing their sudden apearance in marketing, tv and advertising

 

[sstrang]

Indeed. I'm not sure if you watch American Idol, but just overnight, Ryan Seacrest all of a sudden started sporting some thick stubble (actually, I think light stubble can look okay, on the right person with the right hairstyle). And of course, Simon Cowell had no problem expressing his discontent with Ryan's new look. haha

 

[Lena]

^ there you go, great trendspotting sstrang

 

[whitetrashanth]

iv had a beard ever since i could grow one haha.. i just think theyr so slick,.. i just loving playing with it really...

from a girls point of view i use CONDITIONER so that its nice a soft and doesnt make a rash on those delicate quaint faces.... soo blerhhh

either way i aint shaving it off for knowone..

stubble is for p*ssies

girls who dont like beards i dont want to know , cause thats just stupid

last week i shaved my whole beard off leaving just a bad-*** mostache but .. although i liked it and liked feeling soft clear face...its back to how it was a week later and im just leaving it

clean shaven yes is more smart.. but what is smart?? its for people who work in an office...

i dont want to and never wil do so under the guidance of bosses therfore smart is bullsh*t and i have my own way of being smart other than my facial hair.. its completly rediculous and utter shite

beards are SLICK end OF

 

[Lena]

clean shaven yes is more smart.. but what is smart?? its for people who work in an office...

i dont want to and never wil do so under the guidance of bosses therfore smart is bullsh*t and i have my own way of being smart other than my facial hair..

exactly what i was suspecting, guys having beards occasionally 'works' as a 'social statement / anti establishment' statement

thanks for making that clear to me, welcome to tFS whitetrashanth

 

[sstrang]

I think that if the only way people can express their opposing views to "social norms and expectations" by having a beard, then they must be somehow insecure. That's not to say that having a beard makes you insecure, but I think it is pointless to have a beard just to defy people. That's immature...reminding me of how teenagers turn to scenes so that they can feel in charge, when in fact, they are seeking attention.

 

[dsq]

my genes won't let me grow a beard...

 

[Alliecat]

Regarding men displaying opposing views to social norms and conventions by having a beard making them somehow insecure - I am not sure I agree with you. As a woman I have the ability to display my 'attitude' to social norms thru make-up, clothes accessories etc. I don't feel this makes me an insecure person - more that I am secure in my choice of what I choose.B) The same goes for someone such a s a bearded (or not bearded) man with the courage/attitude to wear their body how they choose.

Men, whilst having some of these (accesories, clothes and to a lesser extent make-up) are still quite restricted in their tools to display themselves. Formal work attire is usually a suit and tie, with sensible shoes. Womens suits (trouser or skirt), heels or flats, cleavage or none, hair up, hair down, heavy or natural make-up etc etc. The choices can be endless but can also be (not for the TFS trend watcher I hope ) dictated - leaving the average (or not so average woman) somewhat insecure about how they are being perceived.

Big shaggy beards (like ZZ Top) may be about covering themselves up whilst showing their disenchantment with societal norms. But compared with a well trimmed beard, a goatee, a moustache these are all symbolic of different statements using what men are naturally equiped with. It also takes men several years to 'grow' a full beard -a rite of passage in itself. And as for myself - if I was a man to have shave every day..., sometimes twice. Please no!

Looks like I've wriiten a chapter in a book - whoops

 

[sstrang]

A very good chapter, however. : ) You have made several good points, all of which I agree with. I simply did not word my post carefully enough. What I was trying to get at was that if the ONLY reason SOME men wear a beard to defy the norms, then I think there are more efficient ways of doing so. Having a beard in itself is not immature, but rather, having one for the sole purpose of defying, I think, is. It just seems that there could be more practical ways of making a statement. I always consider this: one who is a nonconformist runs the risk of conforming to nonconformist actions.

 

[birdclothes]

Loved the article

When I saw the article in NYT, I immediately called my husband to tell him he is now on the cutting edge of fashion. He grew a beard about a year ago and loves it! (He is in the lazy category as to the reason for WHY he grew it.) I think it looks great on him and sort of has an intellectual PhD student
aesthetic to it, along with his shaggy but-not-quite-long hair. I dislike the clean shaven obsessive-ness that has taken over where men shave all of their body hair (and I mean ALL). Ick! When did body hair get such a "dirty" image? It is a shame. Hopefully, it will make a come back starting with the beard!

 

[arlekindearrabal]

no big beards... stubble of maximum 14 days allowed, anything other than that is just gross... i'm a lazy shaver myself, i mostly shave just once a week but sometimes i let it grow for some two weeks, but the it becomes really uncomfortable

 

[toksuri]

Beard Manifesto

In Barcelona is common to find tags and stencils inf favour of wearing beard. You can find more info in www.wearbeard.com. I copy their manifesto, I think it is at least curious.

bye

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When you've been wearing beard for a while, the day that you finally shave it off everybody goes like "dude, you really look better, you seem younger". That's why beards are cool. That's why we all should wear beards. Because, these days, to commit oneself to such an act whose consecuences directly lead you to diminish your beauty and your so called youth is brave, really brave. And the world needs brave people. People capable of believing in their ideals, or their beards, despite everybody's opinions. Despite of the fact that everybody's opinions are similar. Despite. To this point, it's quite obvious that these words are not meant to be just a hair thing. It's a proven fact that women do exist, and that hair doesn't grow in their faces. But that's not the point. The point is that they, women, certainly do have ideals. Opinions. Beliefs that shouldn't be shaven. Because they're the reason why you think for yourself. The reason why you're unique. Because they are, after all, what you are. For that, and for the fact that it makes you look interesting, wear beard.ear beard.[/FONT]

 

[Lena]

^ wow, what an interesting post, i'd personally say go to the wearbeardmovement

thanks for bringing this in and welcome to tFS monsieur toksuri

 

[tifa]

i think some guys really suit it. look at johnny depp for instance...nowhere near as hot clean shaven. it's just like a haircut, some styles suit others, some don't. however, i wouldn't go out with a guy with a long beard as it just reminds me of gimli in lord of the rings

 

[Velouria]

Beards are huge in the indie scene. I used to hate them but on the right guy a beard can be very sexy.