Thoughts on the future of sly

[Razor X]

When headshaving started to become more popular in the mid-90s, I never imagined that it would become so mainstream.  There were plenty of shaved heads out there back in January of 2002 when I tried it for the first time, but there are so many more out there now, which makes me wonder just how mainstream the sly look will become in the future.

I always thought that the shaved head would become the preferred haircut of those with MPB, but those who were BBC would eventually either tire of shaving, or some celebrity would make hair trendy again, and that many of them would eventually grow their hair back.  But the number of BBC guys has continued to grow over the past 10 years or so.

I fully believe that the sly look is here to stay.  There will inevitably be times when it is more popular than other times, but I don't think it will ever disappear.  Within a few years time, I am betting that the MPB horseshoe will go the way of the combover.  I think we're almost there now -- but in the future I think the horseshoe guys will feel more and more pressure to shave. 

I'm also beginning to think that scalp hair on men will be treated more and more like facial hair, i.e., some have it and some don't and there's no stigma attached to not having it.   I think there will be more of an all-or-nothing attidude, as exists currently with facial hair.  Most guys won't wear a beard if they can't grow a full, thick one.  In the not-too-distant future, I'll bet guys won't wear hair on their heads either, if it's lacking in density.  And I also think that it won't be considered odd at all for a guy with thick hair to decide he doesn't want it anymore.  Nobody thinks it's odd when a guy shaves off his beard.  Nobody says, "You could have a full beard - why'd you shave it?"  Why should hair on the head be any different?

Things have been moving steadily in that direction in recent years.  We're not quite there yet, but I think we soon will be.  What do the rest of you think?

[RichardN.]

Having a shaved head has certainly become more & more popular in recent years.  I remember a friend of mine buzzed all of his hair off in the early 90's & everyone thought that he just joined the Army.  Speaking of the military, of which I'm a part-time member, it used to be a big deal when they shaved your head upon your arrival to boot camp, but these days a lot of guys arrive with buzzed heads.  I don't think that people even really pay any attention to a bald guy anymore.  Mothers used to guard their children if they saw you, thinking that you were a gang member or something.  In my neighborhood most of the younger guys are sly or buzzed.  The shorter the better these days!

[Paul]

I think you have hit on a real point there Razor.  The sly look is excepted more now just as society has learned to accept other differences in people.  People today, especially young people look past differences in background, economic status,  etc and hair or the lack of it, is just one more insignificant part of an individual.  Maybe its a sign that as a culture we are learning to accept people for more than what appears on the surface.  A shaved head is just that, a head with no hair...not good or bad...just there.  Unless you are SLY of course.

[tomgallagher]

I can't remember the name of the flick but it was scifi and Robert Duvall was in it and everybody was shaved bald,

[warhawk]

gr8 insight razor & paul on the future of sly.  i also feel the same way.  as the years go by,  society in general will b more acceptance of the sly look just like racial and culture differences.  diversity in races just like the diversity of people w/ hair, mpb, and the sly look will continue to improve.

but IMO.... i don't really care if one accepts me or NOT.... i LUV my sly look and will continue 2 sport it 4 life...even though it goes out of style......why?   because I friggen luv the sly look.  it's all about how u feel about yourself because if u don't accept and luv yourself.......who will??? and guess what my sly brahs..... if the future of society doesn't like my sly self..... screw him/her.... because luv me or hate me>>> this is me.....WARHAWK....... AND I'M SLY 4 LIFE!!!!! 

keep it SLY,

WARHAWK

[warhawk]

oh.... i 4 got 2 put my signature

WARHAWK

[Braco]

I can't remember the name of the flick but it was scifi and Robert Duvall was in it and everybody was shaved bald,

I think you are referring to the movie THX 1138. Haven't seen it but maybe i should. There are plenty of sly guys in that movie

[Itsonlyinmyhead]

You sound pretty much spot on. The horseshoe is fast becoming the 00s version of the combover. Good post

   Though saying that I have seen 2 combovers in about 6 months. 1 in scotland spectacularly done with lots of gel where the hair was coming from the back of the head and both sides. And then one nearer home where the guy was brushing his hair from just above the top of his ear right over his head.

  I can see why people get wigs or hair implants but I cant see why people use combovers, its not kidding anyone. I really cant see why people do it.

[MarshalArtist]

I ran across this thread purely by accident.  Razor has said something that I was thinking recently. Scalp hair is becoming more of an accessory like facial hair.  A lot of my patients in my private practice would like to shave their heads because it would "just be easier."  I didn't hear that sort of thing when I first started out in clinical psychology.  I wonder if we will see the day when men, and perhaps women too, will see hair as something they have or do not have rather than something that makes up part of their identity.

[reddog]

Good predictions Razor X, looks like they have all come true.

[isleepinthebuff]

I think people will continue to have varied looks because individuality is important and no one size fits all. Shaved heads will be more accepatable because people understand why people might want it but I don't see hair dying out as a look as much as many guys here seem to want it too.


However I do think MPB is increasing and happening at a younger age for some reason. I also think shaving a head whether it be clippered or razored is more acceptable and people are able to do it themselves as a good set of  clippers are now fairly inexpensive.


I think people are seeing and honing in on guys with bald heads when out and about and not noticing how many guys have hair. Thinking of work, past and previous, work and friends plus people at the gym I can't really think of anyone "BBC", I see MPB guys with anything from a 2 down to razored but it's still a minority.

I was in central London earlier and after reading a post on here I did take a look to see how many guys were clippered and razored and it was nowhere near the amount of guys with hair, but yes it has become more mainstream.
From what I see in the UK the whole TOWIE bridage pride themselves on hair and it's more preened than ever, metosexuality and more individual haircuts are more common place, with men using more product and colouring than ever before and a lot of young guys embracing the hair and beard/stubble look.

[MarshalArtist]

TOWIE stands for what?  I am in "murica and do not know the lingo of the more refined English speakers.   

[Razor X]

I think people will continue to have varied looks because individuality is important and no one size fits all. Shaved heads will be more accepatable because people understand why people might want it but I don't see hair dying out as a look as much as many guys here seem to want it too.

I don't think hair will ever die out, nor should it.  I think the MPB horseshoe look is dying out as shaving has become more socially acceptable.  The horseshoe will survive in closely-buzzed form since there will always be some people who don't want to blade-shave for whatever reason, but the long fringe look, like the combover, is rapidly disappearing.

[alexk15810]

I think it is getting more popular among younger guys who get hit by MPB in their teens or 20's. I think my generation really hates the thought of having a combover and looking like their Dad...more so than the previous generation who really seemed to look down on shaved heads for whatever reason.

I don't know hardly any young dudes that are rocking combovers...from my observation they're almost all shaving or buzzing short.

[fcb2001]

I agree . I happen to be bald by choice . I've seen a lot of shaved heads either buzzed or bic'd. I feel the look will be more popular as time goes on.