Are Beards About to Jump the Shark?
Facial hair will never completely go out of style but there is a definite ebb and flow to the whole thing. For instance, there’s no denying that full-on, it-took-me-three-months-to-grow-this beards are everywhere you turn right now—and, guys, it isn’t even winter yet. Countless celebs have them, TV show characters have them (we hear Empire season two is going to have some serious beard-action), and even royals have them. Seriously, does anyone not have a beard anymore?
Tech guys have them.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: The group from Leaf presents to the judges onstage during Startup Battlefield on day two of TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2015 at Pier 70 on September 22, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch)2015 Getty Images
Runway models have them.
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 13: Model Brett David walks the runway during Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections - Global Citizen at Pier 59 on September 13, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Nolcha)Getty Images
Fashion editors have them.
MILAN, ITALY - JUNE 21: A guest poses wearing Altendorfer trousers poses on June 21, 2015 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Vanni Bassetti/Getty Images)Getty Images
Festival junkies have them.
GLASTONBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Festival goer at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 28, 2015 in Glastonbury, England. (Photo by Daniel Sims/Getty Images)Getty Images
Law enforcement have them.
KING'S LYNN, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 29: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) A bearded police officer awaits the arrival of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales for their visit to the Sandringham Flower Show on July 29, 2015 in King's Lynn, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)Getty ImagesMost Popular
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The guys from ZZ Top still have them.
SARATOGA, CA - SEPTEMBER 11: Bassist Dusty Hill (L), drummer Frank Beard and guitarist Billy Gibbons (R) of ZZ Top perform at The Mountain Winery on September 11, 2015 in Saratoga, California. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic)FilmMagic
According to this beard historian and people with common sense, this is a bad sign for men in the early stages of growing their big winter beard. Only so many people can have big beards before the whole thing starts to feel silly and everyone has to go home and shave. Is all that itchiness, patchiness, and annoying attention really worth it? We’re starting to see the merits of Shia LaBeouf’s completely shaved look—especially since that’ll give guys an excuse to buy a big-ass parka and a few extra cashmere sweaters in order to stay warm this winter.
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