Style Debate: Dressed Up with Scruff

Oscars 2011:  Suits, Tuxes, and Scuff – Is it acceptable?

Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Wahlberg.  Those are just a few of the men who sported at least 5 o’clock shadows to the 2011 Academy Awards.  Even Hugh Jackman had his beard trimmer set to modern bristle, and the guy still went old school with a double-breasted tux.

The juxtaposition between black tie and weekend-in-the-woods face is at the very least intriguing.

Many tried to peg the scuff/5 o’clock shadow look as a trend.  But by the looks of some serious heavy hitters in the entertainment industry, sandpaper cheeks and chins aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.  And for those of us who prefer a bit of a follicle barrier between our mugs and the rest of the world, this is a good thing.

If your scruff is well maintained, even in length, and doesn’t trickle down your neck, then can’t it be considered just a really short beard?

No one would question a bearded man’s decision to attend a formal event, such as an awards ceremony or a wedding, with his usual choice of facial hair.  Right?  Besides.  Women really seem to dig stubble.

Suits & scruff.  Do the two mix?  Or does dressing up for a big event demand you reach for the Mach 3?  Leave your vote in the comments section below.