“He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man.”
William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
I had them all; sideburns in the 60s, a moustache in the 70s, a beard in the 80s. And why not? The paucity of hair on my head offered few options for style change, but the face was another matter. I could grow it there, and I did.
The sideburns were fun as an accessory to my bell bottom pants in the late 60s. I took a moustache into the Army in the early 70s, but shaved it off when a corporal ‘advised’ me of ‘the policy’ on facial hair, none 1 inch above the lip or 1 inch below the nose. Of course, there was no policy, there was harassment. but who was I, a raw recruit, to argue?
The beard came last in the 80s, as a means to draw attention away from the rapidly disappearing hairline. It seemed to work, but after ten years, as the gray dominated, I shaved it off. Wow, I looked like a kid, again. Have you ever noticed that about men who shave off their beards, they look more youthful?
Now, here it is, about three decades later, and beards are in vogue, again, but with a twist. Men are not growing full beards, yet they aren’t shaving regularly, either. The two, three or four-day growth look is the rage.
A suit and tie, slacks and open collar dress shirt, jeans and t-shirt, flannels, the unshaven look goes well with them all. Like any new fashion, this ‘stubble’ look took some getting used to, but it’s here, and it’s cool (is ‘cool’ used anymore?).
Yes, I’ve tried it and I like it. I don’t like beards on high schoolers, it seems a bit precocious. But I do like the unshaven look on adult men. Of course, I’m retired, so I’d probably do it regardless of fashion. But now I have an excuse to leave the razor on the shelf. And just to be more daring, I might try those skinny pants that are fashionable. Age be damned, I’m going for it, turning back the clock. Who’s with me?
There was an old man with a beard, who said: ‘It is just as I feared! Two owls and a hen, four larks and a wren have all built their nests in my beard.
Edward Lear
Steve
August 2018
stephen.bottcher@gmail.com
‘Follow’ my blog for updates whenever a new story is published
S'amusing 
Hubby has a beard and I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is hilarious, Steve. I agree that men look much younger when they shave off their beards especially if said beard is grey.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robbie. By the way, i haven’t shaved for three days…looking a bit grizzled! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember a teacher in high-school who looked very young and wore quite a big beard. We asked him about it (we got on like a house on fire with him) and he told us he looked so young without it that he thought he needed it to command respect. He did shave it at some point and he looked younger than us! I think there are faces suited to beards and others not so much, but it is a matter of taste. And comfort. And indeed, fashion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your comment. It’s true, beards are a fashion statement. I liked mine for
Most of the time I had it. Then, just as it was growing it, it took some nerve to get rid of it.
LikeLike
I never used to like them but as I grow older, I find a really like a trim beard:). Sign of age?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there are so many now that you almost have to like it. Do you like the ‘stubble ‘ look?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this one Steve. Growing a beard is a fashion accessory for the parsimonious! I say lucky you! Not an option for us women. Always enjoyable reading your blog 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Parsimonious, eh? I like that word and, I must admit, subconsciously it might be one of the reasons that I like the ‘stubble’ look, my blades go farther…😂
LikeLike
Hi Steve, Interesting, as always. Your quote from Shakespeare makes me tongue (fingers?) tied. Never worn a beard but wonder if yours were associated with the seasons. Full beard winter, summer less so? Thanks, Jim
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing to do with seasons, Jim. The ‘stubble’ now because I’m ‘parsimonious’ (like that word), the sideburns were the style and the beard, well, I couldn’t do anything with my hair except save it in a box…😉
LikeLike
G-Man has always had some combo of beard & mustache, except when he shaved it off right before our wedding and surprised the hell out of me? Who was this baby-faced man-boy? And once with our toddler. She yelled, “Put It Back!” And that was that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m really getting into this idea of having ‘stubble’ and shaving less. I need to find a shave kit that is meant for stubble. 🤪
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a bit late on this, so you may have sorted this out by now, but I run a men’s grooming store and while I don’t sell a set meant for stubble, one of my suppliers may have a solution. There’s a safety razor that’s a bit different of a shape than your average razor and is meant for detailing around the edges of your beard. It’s great for taking the hair off your cheekbones, around the sideburns area, etc. Let me know if you’d like the link for that. 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hershel, thanks for the great note. I hope you enjoyed the story, my I sériation on the ‘state of facial hair’ in today’s fashion world. I vacillate from clean shaven to a few day’s growth, depending on my state of mind and if I need to look more presentable. It’s fun. I hope you continue to read my contributions to WordPress.
LikeLike
I’ve had my beard since 1970 – is this a record? I had some extra days off over the Christmas period because of ‘flu and hadn’t shaved for a couple weeks. I asked Mrs P “can I keep it?” She said “The beard, yes, the mustache, no.” And that’s how it has been ever since!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a funny story. My wife never liked mine. Now, since I don’t have to be prim & proper everyday, I shave every few days…and she hasn’t said a thing about the ‘stubble’. Thanks for the ‘Follow’. I reciprocated and look forward to reading you. Where are you in the UK? I’m in western part of New York State in US, along the shore of Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.
LikeLike