Fashion trends change at the speed of thought. As Heidi Klum used to be fond of saying on Project Runway, “One day you’re in and the next you’re out.”
Thankfully, there are certain men’s fashion trends and styles that are utterly timeless. Some age faster than the mayonnaise at the back of your fridge, however.
Beards have been trending for the past few years. Are beards still one of 2019’s hottest men’s fashion trends, though? If you’re wondering “Are beards in?” let’s delve in to find out if you should be loving yr locks or trimming your whiskers.
Are Beards In? Here’s What You Need To Know
To begin, we’ll start by stating the obvious. Fashion isn’t a box for you to fit into. It’s a way for you to express your individual self. It’s like designer Marc Jacobs says, “To me, clothing is a form of self-expression. There are hints about who you are in what you wear.”
As men, there can be incredible pressure to look or act a certain way. It’s great to feel confident and capable while still knowing you look absolutely smashing. We are more than just what we do, however.
Fashion allows a way to show what’s unique about yourself. Beards are a great way to do that. There can be a beard for every occasion, as well.
Trim Thy Beard
The consensus among the stylewise seems to be beards are still in. They’re just a little better maintained than previous years.
While it’s great to dress for yourself, it’s also good to know your audience. If you’re a man who loves women, it’s great to get their take on how they feel about beards. Ladies are crazy for a well-kept man!
The devil’s in the details. Coiffing the edges of your beard will let the ladies, or whomever you’re trying to appeal to, know that you take care about yourself. It speaks to your attention to detail and overall fashion sensibility.
Styles Evolve
Beards have been trending for most of the 21st Century. They’ve been particularly en vogue since 2011, however.
With beards being so popular, it makes sense that we’ve been seeing an explosion in soul spots, mustaches, and full-on lumberjack beards. The tastes around each style are always evolving, however.
There’s a reason ‘neckbeard’ is thrown out as an insult. It shows that they don’t pay much attention to what’s going on on their face. That’s not a good look, as they also say on Project Runway.
One of 2019’s top beard trends is a shaped, sculpted style. Square beards can help make your jawline look more chiselled and rugged. A triangle beard can help accentuate a more diamond-shaped face, bringing out a certain diabolical charm.
Finally, there’s a wide array of beard products to help maintain your facial hair. Beard oils and waxes also show that someone wearing their beard pays attention and cares about themselves and their style.
Less Is More
Following along with the maintenance trend, it makes sense that full-on biker and ZZ Top beards are out. Instead, you should focus on more of a sculpted or tailored look.
As a general rule of thumb, keep your neck free of hair. Think of Ben Affleck and his recent salt-and-pepper silver fox look as an example.
There’s A Beard For Everyone
As we said at the beginning, fashion isn’t about fitting into a box. It’s not about appearing to be a ‘type’ of man. There’s nothing masculine about appearing generic or like you don’t know yourself.
Picking the right beard requires understanding your own unique physique. It also requires knowing your style and what you’re trying to present. If you’re going for a more rugged, rustic look, a waxed mustache sculpted with a lavender beard balm might not be the best fit.
There’s a wide array of beard styles that are in, in 2019. The classic “three-day stubble” is still a beard, keep in mind. It just says ‘I’m too busy ruling my kingdom and doing amazing things to shave twice a day.”
A goatee-and-mustache can give an artistic air to your daily style. A circle beard can add an old world charm to your day-to-day looks.
Here are a few popular beard styles for 2019.
Royale Beard
A royale beard is a simple but stylish beard that can be a great pick for those who don’t grow a ton of facial hair. A royale beard is a simple goatee that is secured with a chin strip. It’s more Robert Downey Jr. than Downton Abbey, so you’ll still seem rugged and rogue-ish, while still seeming clean and presentable.
Boxed Beard
A short boxed beard is the best of all worlds. It’s a full beard, so it’s rugged and manly. It’s just well-trimmed and maintained, so you still have that stylish, well-coiffed look.
Just make sure to keep it off of your neck, and you’ll appear well-kept and presentable. You can look like latter-day Leonardo DiCaprio or Drake, without too much daily maintenance.
Gunslinger Beard
If you’re looking to look more like an 1800’s lawman than outlaw, the gunslinger beard could be a good fit for you. Especially if you have more of a rectangular face shape.
The gunslinger beard is a classic mutton chop look with a twist. Flared sideburns connect with a horseshoe mustache. Just remember to remove the goatee and chin strip, otherwise you’ll be rocking a full beard.
If you’re a person of color looking for some advice on how to tend your beard, check out these tips.
Looking For More Men’s Fashion and Style Advice?
Look no further! We bring you everything you need to look and feel your best. Whether you’re wondering “are beards in?” or how to choose a leather jacket, we’ve got articles to help you show the world what kind of man you are!
Browse the rest of our fashion and grooming articles to coif your style. Like ZZ Top reminds us, everyone loves a sharp-dressed man!
