Beards: Masculine Symbol, Care Tips and Fashion - Barba Clothing Trends

The Popularity of Beards and Beard Styles

Beards have seen a major resurgence in popularity in recent years. From lumberjack beards to neatly trimmed styles, men are embracing facial hair as a way to express their style and masculinity. This rising trend has led to an increasing demand for beard grooming products and clothes that complement bearded looks.

The Beard as a Symbol of Masculinity

Throughout history, beards have been associated with masculinity, power, and wisdom. In today's world, growing a beard remains a rite of passage for men as they transition from clean-shaven boys to mature men.

Beards require dedication, patience, and care to grow and maintain. This process fosters self-confidence and self-reliance in men. Ultimately, the beard becomes a strong, masculine feature that demands respect.

The Variety of Beard Styles

From short stubble to long, full beards, men have many beard style options to choose from. The most popular include:

• Stubble - A dark shadow of short facial hair growth
• Light/Short Beard - Several millimeters of even facial hair growth
• Medium Beard - More defined growth a few centimeters in length
• Long Beard - Distinct, full beard growth beyond 10 centimeters
• Friendly Mutton Chops - Connected mustache and sideburns

Other trendy beard styles incorporate creative shaping, such as the ducktail, the anchor, and the chin strap. Men can trim and sculpt their beards into unique looks that showcase their personality.

The Maintenance of Beards

Proper beard care and grooming are vital for healthy growth and aesthetics. Most men use specialized beard shampoos, conditioners, oils, and balms to keep their facial hair clean, hydrated, and neat.

It's also essential to invest in quality beard trimming tools like scissors, combs, and trimmers for careful styling. Visiting experienced barbers helps maintain proper beard shape.

With proper care, beards can appear thicker and fuller while avoiding common issues like dandruff, irritation, tangling, and unruly strays.

Fashion and Clothing for Beard Styles

The rise of beards has impacted men's fashion trends. Clothing and accessories that complement full-bearded looks are now more mainstream and available.

Matching Colors and Patterns

Any man with substantial facial hair knows it can be a prominent facial feature. So clothing that contrasts or matches your beard color helps create a harmonious look.

Tops incorporating plaid patterns, buffalo checks, and herringbone weaves also pair nicely with beards by coordinating textures. These patterns add dimensions that unify your beard with your outfit.

Accessories for Bearded Looks

Some fashion accessories work especially well for bearded men. For example, beanies and knit caps that sit atop head help balance broad beards that can overwhelm bare faces.

Stylish sunglasses also complement full beards, associating staying up on trends with maintaining facial hair. Suspenders and bow ties lend a refined polish to burly bearded looks.

Casual and Formal Wear

On the casual front, flannel shirts, henleys, v-necks, polos, and crew-neck tees generally flatter beards for laid-back looks. Well-fitted jeans that aren't overly baggy or skinny keep the focus up top on that manly beard.

For more formal occasions, a beard imparts instant sophistication. A quality blazer, dress slacks, sharp oxford, and tie create dapper bearded styles perfect for everything from weddings to business meetings.

Beard Trends and Subcultures

Facial hair trends spawn subgroups and subcultures that embrace the beard identity. The "urban beardsman" and "lumbersexual" looks represent popular examples of beard-focused fashion stemming from trends.

The "Urban Beardsman" Look

"Urban beardsmen" integrate full facial hair with modern hairstyles and refined clothing. These city dwellers project worldliness and culture with their curated personal style involving tailored pieces that contrast their thick beards.

Elements of this look include wool overcoats, scarves, slim pants, leather satchels with rolled magazines peeking out. The urban beardsman fancies himself a modern Renaissance man and global citizen through his beard and outfits.

The "Lumbersexual" Aesthetic

The rugged "lumbersexual" style also heavily features full beards as a representation of manliness and physical power. Key components include flannel, wax jackets, hiking boots, tool belts, and other elements affiliated with hands-on physical labor.

By merging campsite aesthetics with tailored cuts and hipster influences, lumbersexuals highlight contemporary outdoor masculinity through their clothing choices and prominently bearded appearances.

The Beard Industry Boom

This growing cultural fascination with male facial hair has created a booming market. Beard care products alone are projected to reach $6.3 billion in global sales by 2028 as popularity increases.

Grooming Products Galore

The expanding beard market means more facial hair grooming products than ever before. Shoppers can discover specialty soaps, oils, creams, combs, brushes, waxes, and all manner of solutions for maintaining lush beards and mustaches.

Targeted skin care underneath beards has also expanded to tackle issues like acne and dryness associated with hair growth. The sector continuously innovates to meet rising demand.

Fashion Opportunities

Apparel and accessories aligning with popular beard looks also offer expanding market opportunities. Menswear brands cater products to urban beardsmen and outdoor lumbersexual lifestyles in response to what men seek.

Even major names like Levi's now offer a "built for beards" clothing line recognizing this new normal for male styles. More runway shows also incorporate facial hair into cutting-edge concepts involving volume and texture.

The momentum seems to only continue growing in this space as having a beard becomes synonymous with being fashion-forward and cool.

FAQs

What kind of clothes best complement full or big beards?

Clothing options that tend to best complement substantial facial hair include plaid flannel shirts, puffer vests, heavy jackets like peacoats, and knit beanies or caps. These provide good balance and allow the beard to take center stage as a statement style piece.

Do I need special beard grooming products?

Investing in a proper beard care regimen using targeted washes, conditioners, oils, balms, and skin care can help maintain healthy growth and an aesthetically pleasing shape. Products catered specifically to beards typically work best.

What fashion accessories go well with beards?

Some prominent accessories that pair nicely with beards include classic sunglasses, suspenders and bowties which align with refined styles, beanies and caps that sit atop the head, and patterned scarves which complement substantial facial hair.

How do I maintain tidy lines and edges around my beard?

Using specialty trimmers and guide combs allows maintaining crisp lines along the cheeks, jawline and neck area. Seeking professional barbers for occasional touch-ups also helps keep unwanted stray hairs in check for a neater appearance.