The Great Facial Hair Debate

Every year at around this time, as the leaves start to fall and Duffle coats are dusted off, there is a primeval stirring amongst men to grow a winter coat - to allow the usually fresh face to take on a more hirsute look (that rhymes if you say it properly), in short, to grow a beard. I know in the houses of some of my friends their is endless debate about whether or not to grow a Winter Beard; I am proud to say that in my own home the debate is only one of style; for we are beard friendly at Crofty Halls.

I have never felt the need for help, support or advice in my hivernal pursuit; I am blessed with facial fecundity. But I was reassured to find that for those men (or women) for whom beard growing is a particular challenge, help abounds. Take www.beards.org for example: a wonderful source of succour for anyone struggling to develop their winter pelt.

For some years I have toyed with a variety of facial shapes from the jauntily tapering sideburns that peter out into nothing just before reaching the pointy chin bit, to the, what haws become commonplace, goatee. This year though, I've decided to opt for the full effect; and I have to say that I am rather pleased with the streaks of white and peppering of light grey. I think maturity has lent a certain depth of texture and warmth to what could otherwise be any old beard.

I think my decision to stick with a traditional beard this year is also partially due to realising that in the world of beard art I wasn't even scratching the surface of the true potential of the form. Take a look at some of these beauties from the World Beard and Moustache Championship, I did rather hope that Mrs C might take a fancy to some of these, quite splendid, styles but the scale of her rebuff was sufficient for me to stick to what I know. I am still tempted however, now I've started it, to see how long I can get away with not trimming my beard, like the excellent examples displayed above by the redoubtable members of ZZ Top (not counting Frank Beard of course, who is the one without the beard).

P.S. I've just realised that many of you will not have realised that I have spent the Summer months clean shaven - I forgot to change my profile picture!