The hipster beard is not becoming obsolete anytime soon – despite constant discussion of whether or not we’ve hit “peak beard” – yet a staggering 90% of men still shave at least once a day. That means that more often than not, you’ll find a clean-faced chap greeting you at the coffee shop, or helping you out at the bank. And it’s not just for convenience or to look corporate friendly – according to the following infographic, shaving can boost all aspects of your life, from feeling more confident to performing better at sports to being more attractive to the ladies.
The list of reasons why you should shave continues below, but let’s not forget the heritage aspect. Wet shaving inducts you into the fold of an incredible wet shaving community. And admittedly, it’s a great feeling when you can lather up just like your father and grandfather did and handle that razor with discipline and finesse.
Whether you take to the skies for business trips or vacations, flying is something all of us do on a regular basis that we might take for granted – something that was a near miracle when it was first achieved in 1903 by the Wright brothers.
Today you get the chance to celebrate aviation in all its innovation and glory with National Aviation Day, designated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 to honor the August 19th birthday of Orville Wright of the Wright brothers. FDR issued the directive to observe the holiday with activities that promote interest in aviation.
So on that note, today’s Inspired Style post is on The Aviator by Martin Scorsese. A biopic of aviation great Howard Hughes, the movie chronicles Hughes’ life as a gifted aerospace engineer, inventor, pilot, filmmaker, and business tycoon as well as his multiple Hollywood paramours and gradually worsening obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The Aviator is filled with well-recognized actresses like Katherine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Jean Hawlow, set against the glitzy atmosphere of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
The women drip in diamonds, furs, and designer gowns, while Hughes (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) romances them in classic ‘40s dress shirts and pants. Howard Hughes may have been wealthy, but the clothing he wears in the movie is a good representation of how many men dressed in the era – pulled together, sleek, and gentlemanly.
Men’s fashion trends changed throughout the ‘40s as the War came and went, but a few things persisted.
Namely:
Pleated pants that were loosely cut, worn much higher on the waist than they are today
That instantly recognizable close harmony, those dulcet ringing chords – barbershop quartet music is a centerpiece of American Music, and today we honor this genre with Barbershop Music Appreciation Day. Despite the popularity of barbershop quartet music, its origins are still unclear, though one strong opinion is that the style originated in its namesake – barbershops.
Barbershop music has appeared on shows like The Simpsons (remember the Be Sharps?), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Family Guy, as well as adopted by musical acts like The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Even Disneyland has its own famous barbershop quartet, called the Dapper Dans.
To celebrate this distinctive American music genre, we’ll be taking a look at its history and sharing some of our favorite barbershop tracks with you.
In the later half of the 19th century, U.S. barbershops served as community gathering centers where African American men would socialize. While waiting their turn, they would harmonize, vocalizing folk songs, spirituals, and popular songs. From these impromptu gatherings sprung a new style that consisted of unaccompanied, four-part, close-harmony singing.
White minstrel singers later adopted this style, and in the early days of the recording industry their performances were recorded and sold. Songs like “Hello, Ma Baby” and “Sweet Adeline” were very popular between 1900 and 1919 but eventually faded into obscurity in the 1920s. (Wikipedia)
Theory 2
Some researchers argue that barbershop quartet music is a tradition invented in the 1940s by the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet singing in America, (SPEBSQSA) while determining the rules for singing contests. The group related barbershop music to several musical features popular around 1900, including quartet singing and the barbershop chord. (Wikipedia)
Today thousands of quartets and choruses are registered with the society.
Female barbershop music exists too – on July 13, 1945, Edna Mae Anderson of Tulsa, Oklahoma invited her friends to her home to sing. Their husbands were members of the Barbershop Harmony Society. On that evening, they formed the Sweet Adelines, which is now an international organization for female singers.
Discography
A few videos featuring some excellent Barbershop music. If you’ve got more tunes you’d like to add to the list, leave a comment below or give us a shout out on Facebook.
Storm Front – Lida Rose
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The Music Man – Barbershop Quartet
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Old School – Little Town in the Old Country Down / I Want a Girl
This is my daughter and I at ground zero memorial in New York. I served and deployed in the Marine Corps for both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve my country. But, the greatest satisfaction comes from sharing with my daughter what it means to honor fallen hero’s and what it means to be an American. Unfortunately, I will not be teaching her how to wet shave in the future. I would not have it any other way.
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We received an overwhelming number of great entries, so we decided to also select 3 runner ups, each of whom will receive a special prize pack!
