2011 was a good year for men’s hair. Not just for the styles sported on top of the heads of modern gentleman but also the whiskers and beards that were proudly crafted on their faces. The increased popularity of Movember this year was not purely down to increased promotion for the month long charity fund-raiser but the already increased desire amongst men to look like real men who are well groomed and classically stylish. This could be seen in both the continued resurgence of the clean cut hairstyles of the 50s and 60s as well as men covering their faces in whiskers for that rugged but still kept looked. Here, we take a look at some of our favourite gentlemen’s hair, moustaches and beards that were in the spotlight over the last twelve months.

TV

Ben Whishaw 

It’s been a vintage year for hair on TV as the Mad Men influence on fashion and the small screen has continued to influence period programmes looking to fill column inches just as much for the style of their characters’ wardrobes as much as the quality of the drama. The show that most wanted to ape the sleek mid-20th Century style success of Don Draper and co. was the BBC’s newsroom drama The Hour. Unfortunately viewing figures fell sharply and reviews of the Abi Morgan scripted series were mixed (many complaining the show just wanted to be a British Mad Men) but the slicked backed hair and big quiff of Ben Whishaw’s young journalist was a televisual highlight of the year.

Michael Pitt

With Mad Men on hiatus this year, there was a space for a US TV show to temporarily take its place as the small screen retro style icon. Boardwalk Empire was that show. We can’t say that the many men walking the streets of London this year who had hair like Michael Pitt did so because of the series but we can say that we think this hairstyle looks good whether you’re a gangster in 1920s Atlantic City or a graphic designer in 2010s Shoreditch.

Dan Stevens 

Downton Abbey, the biggest hit on British TV in 2011, is notable for many things but aside from Maggie Smith, our favourite thing is lead actor Dan Steven’s dashing, swept parting.

CINEMA

Beardy Christian Bale 

The beard is maybe a little light on the cheeks but elsewhere it’s a pretty fantastic bit of facial fuzz thanks in no little part to its chestnut hue and thick moustache. Though it would sit better with his hair if he had a tidy up at the back and sides.

Hairy jawed Jude Law 

During Mr Law’s run in Anna Christie at the Donmar in Covent Garden, he grew this rugged beard in August partly because the role required it but mainly, we like to think anyway, because he wanted to prove that beards aren’t just the best looking blanket you can get for your face in the colder months but a year round good look.

Richard Ayoade (tired of the hairy wordplay now) 

The director was evidently influenced by indie auteur extrordinaire Wes Anderson on his debut feature Submarine and the influence seems to have extended into his personal wardrobe.  His geek chic look has an effortless, stylish edge thanks in large part to his tousled afro and well kept beard, as well as a keen eye for ties.

Benedict Cumberbatch

We reckon that the Sherlock, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and War Horse actor isn’t smiling in this photo because he’s just won the GQ Actor of the Year award but simply because he’s chuffed to bits with his great, great hair.

Aaron Johnson

This could’ve been so good but falls a little flat. We like the wild, wavy hair but prefer his natural dark brown colour. The moustache is trying to be a handle bar but a little on the thin side; should’ve gone for a pencil. And he should’ve shaved the stubble from his chin and neck. It’s as if he’s trying to be Francois Verkerk (more of whom later) but he hasn’t learned that there is only one Francois Verkerk. Oh well, he’s only young.

David Lynch

The Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet director has got a fantastic head of hair for a pensioner and the style is a good reflection of his personality. Still youthful and ploughing his own crazy furrow (in 2011 he released an album and opened a bar in Paris based on Club Silencio in Mulholland Drive) his hair could almost be a classic cut for a man in his seventh decade but it’s untamed top makes this the hairstyle of a very cool gentlemen who just doesn’t give a damn about what anyone else thinks.

MUSIC

Alex Turner

The Arctic Monkey’s frontman and ‘poet of his generation’ has gone from cheeky indie chappy, to long haired classic rock god to slicked back 50s rock and roller. This is the rock n roll branch of the 50s hair revival.

Charlie Fink of Noah and the Whale 

Big, thick hair on the lead signer of a band is always a winner. In a similar hair mould to Alex Turner and Ben Whishaw but more modern.

FASHION

Nick Wooster 

If you have been anywhere near the many, many menswear street style blogs on the internet then you will know that Nick Wooster is one of the best dressed men on the planet. You will also know that he’s also one of the most well-groomed. Hair, moustache, and beard are all damn near perfect. He understands what suits him and wears it. A remarkably stylish modern gentleman.

Francois Verkerk 

The unmistakeable ginger model cut a dash on the catwalks of the fashion capitals this year with one of the best moustaches in the fashion industry. If we were to hand out some end of year awards, Mr Verkerk here would walk away with the Golden Moustache.

Patrick Grant

The E. Tautz tailor is the definition of dapper (he famously doesn’t own a pair of jeans) and like any stylish modern gentleman knows, being well dressed will be meaningless if you’re not well groomed. With his neat side parting and smartly trimmed beard though, that’s not something that Mr Grant has to worry about.

AND FINALLY...

David Beckham

Now approaching middle age, the man of many hairstyles is now looking the most stylish he ever has done and subsequently has stuck to this look longer than most of his others. And why would you change when you look like a star from the Golden Age of Hollywood?

Oh, and here’s the obligatory mention and pic of Ryan Gosling because, you know, this is a list of 2011 and all… and yes, he does have great hair.

Book an appointment here and who knows, maybe you’ll be on our Hair of 2012…

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