The Beard is Back

The beard is back. In a Seinfeldian attempt to take a vacation from myself I have grown my beard out over the past few weeks. At the same time the air conditioning in my office decided to go on vacation. The has resulted in me wearing a lot of casual clothes to work in order to beat the heat.

Here is what I have learned over the past few weeks.The longer your hair or beard is the harder it is to look trad, ivy, or preppy in a casual setting, I don’t have much casual wear, polo shirts aren’t all bad, and madras shirts can be much cooler than t-shirts. I hope that the AC returns soon so that I can wear a tie again!

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oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

16 Comments on "The Beard is Back"

  1. Jordan Mitchell says:

    Jerrod,
    The beard completely changes your appearance. You look much better without it.

  2. Robert says:

    Keep the hair and beard as is!

  3. JJ says:

    Now you have to migrate to a Regent fit or better yet, Milano to match the stylish beard!

  4. RG says:

    I think you have a pretty sharp features, so I prefer the no beard look. Hope you’re happy with it though!

  5. Pat says:

    You wear the beard well. As it gets fuller, you give off a “saintly vibe” Casual and warm go together.
    The popover madras is something to covet. When I wore a beard, I always found it easier in warm weather. In winter the skin beneath would dry out. Thanks for documenting your ride down the slippery
    slope of casual Monday to Friday When you reach torn jeans, I will turn my eyes away..

  6. fred johnson says:

    Lose it.

  7. Frank Faber says:

    Very untradly

  8. Jon DiBenedetto says:

    I like it!

  9. Jesse says:

    Beard works

  10. Mr. B says:

    I’m old-fashioned enough to believe that being clean-shaven is as much a part of the Trad/Ivy look as wearing OCBDs and chinos/khakis.

  11. Dutch Uncle says:

    A phrase one does not hear very often anymore is “clean-cut “.
    You were the epitome of a clean-cut young man, beardless.
    Your haircut, well-pressed, well-chosen clothing and clean-shaven look were models to be emulated by your readers.
    Let’s have the old Jerrod again.

  12. Lennart says:

    I would say both works. Sometimes I skip shaving, mostly when on vacation and in longer weekends, however for me it works about a week and then it starts itching and I go shave. But about 3-5 days looks cool in a sort of french way I think.

  13. Andrew says:

    I think a trad beard has to follow the usual prep rules of neatness and uniformity. It must be more than stubble, but still short, a job easily accomplished nowadays with the beard-trimming electric razor. I also like mine to be uniform in color and consistency, which is a little harder work unless it comes in naturally. So if it grows in splotchy, one has to wait for uniform cover and then trim. I do not like gray areas in an otherwise uniform beard, although these are common. Overall salt and pepper is fine. Neck has to be shaved daily. Overall it is a lot more work than just being clean shaven.
    Among public figures, Harry’s beard on his wedding day looked as if his barber had followed the prep rules.
    Yours is fine as is, but if you want it to be thoroughly prep, then a few changes will do it.
    Do not take it off because of the commenters here!

  14. Chris Carlton says:

    Men grown beards to compensate for weak chins.
    You don’t have that problem at all, so why the beard?

  15. Woofboxer says:

    Try a goatee for that jazz/beat vibe!

  16. Julia says:

    I think that beards can certainly be traditional, as long as they are well kept, which yours certainly is. Your clothing is what really makes you “trad,” not your haircut or beard, in my opinion. What you have actually done with the beard, is add something rather than take something away. In addition to being trad, you are now incredibly sexy. If you can grow as proper a beard as that one (which many men cannot do, by the way), you should embrace the ability. I would not sacrifice the sexiness to fit back into anyone’s incorrect idea of the trad or ivy box. Don’t be afraid to stand out. I’m sure you don’t need my thoughts, but I wanted to deposit my two cents regardless. Cheers!

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