Look out international super villains. It’s 007, and he’s got a finely maintained face blanket – Daniel Craig in Skyfall

If ever there was an indicator that beards and stubble were climbing the ladder of what is deemed to be stylish elegance, then James Bond sporting what has been described as a ‘more rugged look’ is certainly one.

As everyone knows the ‘metrosexual’ is long dead, if indeed it did ever exist outside the minds of advertising execs anyway, and men are once again men. Even the former Mr Metrosexual himself David Beckham can only model underwear ( sorry, bodywear) these days if he’s covered in tattoos and sporting a well groomed beard.

In times of insecurity like these there is an instinctive need for strong masculine men, hunter gatherer types rather than bankers or politicians, to go out and save the world. And every knows that hunter gatherer types always have beards. Not that Bond was ever ‘metrosexual’ and nothing less than the manliest of men when clean shaven, but the Bond franchise has always liked to pepper the films with the latest fashions and as such, how could they fail to follow one of the current biggest trends in men’s style – the beard. Especially as they were shooting in east London last weekend – the birthplace of the new beard craze.

Manliest of men James Bond without a beard. But he does have a big gun. 

 However, stylish beards are not exclusively for that outdoorsy, hiking boots and work shirts style – the urban lumberjack if you will. When they’re well maintained, they’re a smart and refined accessory for a suit or tux. Just as Tom Ford, costume designer on new Bond film Skyfall, only knows too well.

Mr Tom Ford

So we’re hoping that means Bond’s beard in the upcoming feature will be a prime example of how to wear facial hair with evening wear, and not confined to scenes where he goes round shooting people in secret bases in ‘special-op wear’. But for possibly the best real life example of the dapper evening beard, look no further than Savile Row icon Patrick Grant.

E Tautz and Norton & Sons tailor Patrick Grant is a fine modern example of the suit beard

There is of course a difference between a rugged look and scruffy. A beard needs to be tended to just as you would look after the hair on your head. To sport the beard-tux combo, it is imperative that your facial fur is in good condition and regularly trimmed. Jack Black Beard Lube is a firm favourite to do just that amongst the bearded of the Murdock Men community.

And while we’re on the subject of face blanketed James Bonds, here’s a treasure of a photo from the late sixties of  Aussie 007 George Lazenby with Michael Caine. They seem to be enjoying an exclusive beardy men chat, judging by the pissed off looking clean shaven gent on the edge of the picture. Though it must be said that Lazenby’s face is a messy mix of over long sideburns and shorter stubble.

Only beards allowed

To keep your beard in good shape, regular trims are a must. Beard and moustache trims are available at all Murdock London stores. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE

Watch ‘How To Look After Your Beard’

Related articles