Saturday 27 October 2007

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!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Here in NZ, 'Mo-vember' is a big thing (Mo being slang for mustache). It's in support of finding a cure for prostate cancer, apparently. I think it's just an excuse for expressing one's virility through facial hair.
www.movember.org.nz

Crofty said...

Wow what a great idea... and a great looking website too.

Virility?... I suppose it's just a Ferrari for blokes who can't afford one and/or are too ecologically sensitive to want one.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I've just been looking at a website for people with beards, that offers help and advice and it's totally serious. Not a hint of irony, or come on lads lets take the p**s!

Some people need help, and they're all on that website!

Anonymous said...

Earlier this year I myself grew a full chin hedge. I quite liked it, and was told it suited me. But sadly, it is not deemed to be 'the done thing' to have facial adornment when one works in the corporate finance industry, so I was made to remove it. How unfair! In hindsight, I should have made a beardy protest and picketed the office against clean shaven types....

70steen said...

so that's why I didn't recognise you in the Grapes!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I think Misterwoppit should enlist the help of those people on that website. I'm sure they'll be only too pleased to help a needy cause and fight the corporate finance industry for beardy rights on his behalf!

Crofty said...

I'm sure there must be a way to claim sexual discrimination on the grounds that Mr W was denied the right to express his masculinity.... or something. I'll bet if it was a Social Services department or other similar public body there would be an uproar.
Hey ho, the corporate finance industry must be a pretty heady place.

Anonymous said...

There's no debate, they need to shave. Just say no to facial hair kids.

Anonymous said...

Truly appreciate what you're doing here!