Santa sports one, as do many of his elves. So, in most religious iconography, does Jesus. It's fair to say theirs aren't quite the height of fashion. But otherwise, commentators from across Europe, the US, Latin America and Australasia are agreed: beards are in. No longer synonymous with a predilection for lentils, open-toed sandals and the saving of whales, what 10 years ago was identified as a hipster trend has grown and spread. Reports of "peak beard" have proved premature: sales of shaving products continue to decline in the Western world. What's going on? As a primatologist who studies our more hirsute cousins, I find this question, and the broader one of abeard's purpose, fascinating. Are there any answers?
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