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Tafadzwa Zimoyo-Fashion 263

Hello weekend and sunshine in August.

Besides being associated with sunny and windy weather, it is also one of the favourite months for fashionistas because they get to explore from colour to all types of material.

Again most people wed in August.

I had a chat with my close friend after attending one glitz and glamour function.

Men were clad in tuxedos, of course, but I noticed the new trend of bald and beard.

Yes, the beard gang are back and now they are rocking it with suits no matter how old they are.

There was this one guy with a thick salt-and-pepper kind like beard which overshadowed everything on him.

While his out-of-control facial fur may have torn out focus away from the event, it did help draw our attention to a pressing issue: how exactly do you wear a beard with a suit?

Mr “4May International” always says, “if you want to rock a suit with a beard make sure the beard is clean first and the suit should be fit and on point”.

By the way, you don’t need to do it the wrong way, otherwise you end up looking like early Santa Claus. 

Also as we roll into the wedding season, more men with beards would need to steal the show with their “God-given” stars, so learning to teach your suit and beard to play nicely together is of the utmost importance. 

I won’t say they do it wrongly just because I don’t have a beard, but there’s no easy way to say it.

Somehow they seem to lose it because it makes the neck invisible, and makes the head look completely enormous.

A tip from the style guru (4May-International) is a bow tie that cuts the cake (stylish).

Here are some rules to follow when you want to wear a suit with a beard.

Choose the right collar type

◆  One of the key choices you will have to make is that of your shirt collar. With a beard likely to obstruct your neckline, try a long point collar to give your shirt a fighting chance of visibility.

Steer clear of round, cut away or spread collars as they may get lost beneath your bristles and never go open collar – there are few less appealing looks than a man whose beard is constantly snagging on his top button. 

Accessorise accordingly

◆ It is imperative not to over-adorn. 

If you have a big beard, obviously a bow tie makes wonders. Instead, pare it back.

Try a slim, block colour tie – perhaps plump for a knitted one to bridge the gap between your casual beard and formal suit.

Use a large knot, such as a full Windsor, to ensure visibility, and leave your pocket square at home. 

Your beard counts as an accessory, so when you start adding tie pins and collar bars and other sartorial extras, you run the risk of decking yourself out like a Christmas tree.

And that is not the type of trimming you should be focusing on.

Groom as appropriate

◆  As proud as you may be of your facial fur, if you want to wear a suit, you have to tame it. 

Keep it tight, closely-cropped, but still long enough that patches of unsightly chin skin aren’t visible through your beard.

Stand in front of a mirror and put on your shirt and tie. 

If you can’t see the knot of the tie,or even a sliver of neck – keep trimming.

Just make sure that whatever you take off the bottom, you also take off the sides.

If you simply chop from the bottom up, you’ll be left with bushy burns that make your face look wider than it actually is.

Others later asked on how to take care of your beard.

Well, it has been said that from neatly trimmed to long and shaggy, beards have never been more popular, with new research suggesting 70 percent of men have grown one in their lifetime.

The survey also revealed the alarming fact that a number of men with beards don’t wash it using any cleaning or grooming products, which isn’t good news for their facial fuzz – or their skin.

In light of the findings, health and grooming experts were asked to explain why facial hair cleanliness is important and how to keep your beard in pristine condition.

“When it comes to men washing their beards, there are two factors to consider – health and cleanliness,” says Dr Stuart Sanders, GP at The London General Practice.

“From the point of health, exhaled droplets from nose and mouth will be teeming with bacteria, some friendly and some pathogenic (disease-causing) – and they will be trapped in a hairy jungle.”

This is important when the beard owner has a respiratory infection, Dr Sanders warns, in addition to the cleanliness factor: “Who wants to go through life with a beard clogged with remnants of your dinner!”

Sophie Saunders, aesthetic clinician at Stratum Clinic in Cheltenham, explains it’s not just about washing the facial hair: “Healthy-looking beards come from taking care of the skin beneath it.

“Not washing can create skin problems such as acne, in grown hairs and dandruff, which is why it’s necessary to take extra care of your facial hair.”

But when it comes to the frequency of washing, some experts disagree on the best approach.

“The sweet spot for washing a beard is two to three times a week,” suggests Thom Watson, beauty expert and consultant at Humanery. “You can easily make it part of your weekly wash routine by washing your beard at the same time as you wash your hair.”

Saunders says: “Beards should be washed daily with a cleanser – not soap – to remove the build-up of dirt, oil, bacteria and pollution. Washing daily will also remove dead skin cells that build up and prevent blocked pores and irritation.”

Sanders believes you should wash your beard as often as you brush your teeth.

“I would certainly recommend washing your beard more often than you wash your hair – probably twice a day is advisable,” he says, particularly if you suffer from certain skin issues.

“Skin conditions such as eczema,psoriasis, impetigo and rosacea all require cleanliness in the first place, together with appropriate doctor-prescribed applications. If you’re struggling with a skin condition or have any questions, see your GP.”

The ball is in your court.

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