Fedoras and beards

[Russ]

This subject was brought up by several in another thread on alternatives to the fedora. When I did a forum search I found several posts on beards, but discovered that a disproportionate number were posted by ME, which leads me to believe it's time for me to stop "beating around the bush" and just start a thread and get it off my chest, uh chin, uh, whatever.

Several have claimed that a fedora goes especially well on a bearded man, but I have my doubts (and this coming from a bearded man!). There is no doubt that a western hat or a bush hat looks fantastic with a beard -- almost requires a beard -- but a fedora?

During the golden era beards were not in fashion, so I have found very few movies or photos of beards and fedoras. I have to go to the 19th century -- or modern day Orthodox Jews or Amish -- to find a cultural climate that favors beards and hats.

I have been even tempted to shave my beard for the sake of my fedoras -- and see if I still have chin under there after all these years -- but but my wife forbids it. She hates five 0'clock shadow, and apparently is of the opinion that most of my face is better left hidden.

Do you all believe fedoras go well with beards? I'm hoping you will say yes, but am bracing myself for the nays.

[Strider]

I often do a goatee with mine, and I like the way it looks on me, personally. It makes my face look better once I put the hat on. I've never had an actual beard, per se, but I find the goatee look works for me.

[scotrace]

It depends on the face and how good you look in a beard generally. But as in all things, it's a matter of neatness. A neatly trimmed beard with a neat haircut, well dressed, etc. makes all the difference. A ZZ Top beard with a fedora looks like you're between gigs.
From your avatar, a beard suits you very well. And if you've had it for years, people are used to seeing you in it and you wouldn't be YOU anymore without it.

On you, it works. On Wildroot or Matt Deckard or me, no no no....

[Tony in Tarzana]

I don't know if you can really go by what's in movies, they generally didn't want the actor's face obscured by facial hair. That's still true today.

My dad wore a beard most of his life, and he was born in 1906.

[RBH]

For most of the last 25 years I have had a beard. The last 6 a goatee.
I think having it trimed neat is what makes a beard fit with any type style.

[Snrbfshn]

I think a beard and fedora are natural together (see left). Two complementary types of fur. 'Course I've had a beard since I was 26, and worn fedoras longer than that, so you wouldn't really expect me to say "they don't work", would you?

As an observation, over the years I've had more women than I can count walk up to me and compliment me on my beard (many asking to touch it), and most of those times, I'm in a fedora. Never endowed with cinema-hero hair anyway, and now having lost most of what I once had, it may be that a balding guy with a beard is more compelling with a nice lid.

A rude reality hit me long ago. Even when dressed sharp, hatless I don't turn a lot of heads; just an average guy. Put me in some nice threads with a killer brim and ladies' darting eyes - sparkling - follow me.

Lest you think me vainglorious, I wear a hat because I like to, not to impress the dames. I played "all in" with my beauty 35 years ago and she's still the only game in town.

Largely, I think confidence in appearance is key. If you carry yourself well, and have a presence with people, the hat or beard or shirt or suit is just an accent anyway.

[gekisai29]

I've had a beard for 37 years, 24/7. if you like the way you look with a beard why wouln't you like it with your hats? btw, i don't mind being told i look l(& my beard is short & trim) like i'm between gigs..itmakes me feel young(maybe like Neil!?!).

[Pilgrim]

I used to wear a Van Dyke a lot, but when I tried growing one a couple of years ago - the darn thing came in a whole different color than it was before!

I decided that since I have a healthy head of hair and it's grey enough, I'll pass on the beard.

What was the question?

Oh yeah, I think they look just fine. There's plenty of evidence that they look good just in the avatars in this forum.

[johnnycanuck]

My wife prefers me with facial hair and I am finally at a job that allows me to grow it. Does it go with a fedora? Hell yes. Any more then a clean shaved man? Hell no. In fact it also goes with a goatee, mutton shops, anything you want. That's just my opinion.
Johnny

[Raindog]

Russ, please keep that beard! Fedoras go with everything. I think the reason is that whatever you wear is improved when you don one. People notice them first, and it colours their view of everything else, they even assume I'm friendly and chat, which they don't do when I don't wear one.


Jeff.