The world of facial hair has become such a prominent fixture in our lives that it's no longer a question of whether beards are in or out, but what styles are going to bubble to the surface as true trends. Like fashion, beard styles are prodded by a few key drivers that inch a certain to the forefront, where bloggers and social media grab onto them and amplify the hell out of them in a race to see who can claim the title of a voice of style. But before that happens, what can we look to as an early sign that something might catch fire?
1. Celebrity - What's he wearing?
Hollywood, music, sports and the personalities at the top of those respective genres, have a profound effect. Auston Matthews decision to sport his now signature duster has spawned a generation of hockey rats doing the same as soon as the hair on their upper lip can deliver. But beyond that, every one of those guys goes to work, school, the gym and the style starts to spread beyond the hockey ecosystem. Auston says it gives him more confidence and who's going to argue with that given his march to 70 goals this year.
Henry Cavill seems to be able to single-handedly create style trends every time he launches a movie. After years of being the clean shaven face of Superman, he introduced us to the beardstache. Something just different enough to spark guys imagination. It had bearded guys tinkering with their style and most likely got more guys to start growing. Now Henry's at it again. His latest film has him sporting a handlebar moustache and while that's a more familiar style, it's niche for sure. But rest assured, you'll see more of them once the poster starts popping up everywhere. Well done Henry.
2. Cultural shifts - Time to zig
Sometimes style is part of a broader shift. After a couple of years being locked up in our WFH worlds, a lot of guys had embraced a more rugged unkempt look. Well those days are over and we want to forget about them so the best way to do that is to pivot in the other direction. That's why you're going to see a lot more shorter, more neatly groomed beards on guys. We're back out in the world and eager to tell people we're no longer wearing track pants on our zoom calls. We're putting the effort and and it's going to show up on our face. All that said, you'll see this neater style come with a relaxed sense of effortlessness. Maybe WFH has some benefits after all.
3. What's new
Every generation of beard grower is eager to put their own stamp on style. While there's a healthy dose of nostalgia and respect for the great beard styles of the past, The fresh spin is a sure way to truly get noticed. It shows a sense of confidence and creativity all rolled into one. For example;
- The hockey world has taken that pencil moustached and paired it with a good ol' fashioned mullet.
- Donald Glover has found a way, with a small tweak, update his beard game. By separating the moustache from the beard he's got a slightly more refined, purposeful look that means business.
But in the end, the style that will stand out for guys will be the one that suits your face the best. Some are blessed with the beauty of choice and can wear any style. Others have to the select few looks that work best for them and tinker accordingly to keep it fresh. What people notice the most is whether you wear it with confidence. They say this about fashion but it's doubly true for facial hair. Trends come and go, style is enduring.
Choose your style and own. Happy growing