Are beards in style for 2012?

Are beards in style for 2012? Hell yes! Most of my bearded readers already know that beards are in style, but a majority of Americans (and other world citizens) are waking up to that fact. It’s not just the high and tight beard that is making the comeback – but the full beard and the glorious mustache. We are moving back to a time when men could be proud of being men, and show themselves as nature had intended – with a beard.

Men’s style tends to gradually move like a giant boat trying to turn. It does not happen over night, but one can definitely see the increase in bearded men on TV and other popular cultural pieces. Ten years ago you couldn’t see a commercial with a guy with facial hair (except the awkward TV character Al Borland from Home Improvement). I think commercials are a great indicator of the lifestyle trends of Americans and nearly all commercials feature someone with facial hair. While we are talking about commercials, Gillette has jumped on the bearded bandwagon and is now selling products meant for trimming facial hair rather than going the beardless route. Very interesting times indeed.

The most encouraging thing about casting of bearded people is they are portrayed as normal, hard working individuals – and not goofballs, homeless folks, or other negative bearded stereotypes. I think the trend will be a shift from shorter beards to longer beards from now and into the next few years. The thing is that growing a beard takes time, and that time means the trend will be around for a while. There is no reason to worry about your beard going out of style anytime soon.

I ran across this article from the CTV that talks about the trend for men to grow beards. The charity events No-Shave November and Movember have allowed men to toil with beard growth under the cause of goodness. That has allowed them to test the waters in the corporate world and see what is really acceptable. It appears that more and more employers are opening their minds to the bearded men.

It’s a good read and worth the click. Let me know in the comments if you think beards are in style for 2012 or not. To see some great photos of bearded men – check out these photos from the 2012 West Coast Beard and Mustache Championship.