As noted here and elsewhere, beards have been experiencing an upsurge in popularity lately. Is it a trend? The trouble with trends is that they come and go. Beards need not and should not come and go based on the whims of trendiness and fads.
When the current beard trend fades — which it likely will, as most trends do — many of the brave new beards will probably pass into history. How do we keep from losing the momentum of the current upswing in favor of beards? It’s not easy. The best thing to do is to think about beards as a component of manhood and not a fashion accessory. Grow the beard that you want. Don’t worry about whether it’s trendy or not. Be yourself and make your own statement by growing the beard that pleases you.
One explanation that I heard was that because of the increasing sexuality of women in modern days (Sex and the City, feminism, ect) the opposite end of the spectrum has rushed to catch up. Examples can be seen of this like Spike TV, American Choppers, etc. So the recent upswing in bearded males might be a way to deal with their perceived loss of masculinity with the increasing sexuality of women.
Hello fella bearded Men,
I now live here in Perth Western Australia. Beards and bald or shaved heads are quite an acceptable sight. Many many people wear long beards that run down their chest. OK, Many as in maybe 1 in 30-50 people. Still compared to the states that is a lot. Mosly I will admit are brickies, truckers, bikers for the really long beards. However, of the shorter variety seems like a lot more beards are around.
As for the ‘trend’ here in Oz it seems to be quite the thing to wear a beard. And has been that way for quite a few years before I got here.
THE BEARD IS GAINING IN POPULARITY, IT IS BECOMING A FASHION TREND. THIS IS A GOOD THING, THAT SHOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE “BEARDED FOREVER”. SOME OF THOSE, WHO ARE GROWING THEIR BEARDS BECAUSE IT IS IN FASHION, WILL MAKE THE CONNECTION WITH THEIR OWN MASCULINITY. THESE WILL BECOME AS WE; BEARDED FOREVER. IS THIS NOT THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS WEB-SITE?
I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT WAS FOR VANITIES SAKE THAT I GREW OUT MY BEARD, AND NOT FOR SOME NOBLE REASON. IT WAS NOT UNTILL I HAD A FULL BEARD THAT I GOT THE CONNECTION WITH MY MASCULINITY AND LOOKED LIKE THE MAN THAT I WAS INSIDE. THERE IS ALSO A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION THAT I FEEL AS WELL. A SORT OF IDENTIFYING WITH MY CREATOR. I CAN SAY THAT I WILL SURELY BE BEARDED FOREVER.
Damn ! – I want to move in with Gene , and live my last days in Australia ! lol , I really dont know why I need to have a beard – All I know is that I love it . Maybe its my Russian Heritage , Many Russians , Esp. Their Priests have very long thick beards . I dont know ? – I feel they are very romantic in some weird way – Sexy ? Maybe ? – I do feel more alive and attractive with one . I agreed in the new popularity of beards , maybe it is the Bad Boy, Chopper – Rad Car T.V. programs ? – Jesse James , O.C. Choppers – I dont know ? I think Its great !
I think it is on its way back! I see men my age sporting them if they can. Most of all it is the experimental stage while in college. I am seeing a huge interest in mustaches, however, they are still looked upon as a joke. therefore, `stacehs are really only worn due to the loss of a bet.