In college, my male friends and I celebrated  facial foliage with “No Shave November.” The movement is certainly not about being lazy or wanting to look unkempt—no way! It’s a tribute to our Stetson Man forefathers, with the added benefits of keeping maintenance costs down and staying warm in South Dakotan “it’s-practically-Canada” temperatures.

Side note: I never used cologne until maybe my last year of high school, but for my first prom as a freshman, I basically took a shower in the stuff. When I arrived at my date Annie’s house, the Stetson Man in me (and on me) overwhelmed my date so much she made me air out my tuxedo outside before we went to dinner.  Lesson learned: less is more.

My eyes were wide (and my stubble jealous) when I saw that this Saturday is the annual NYC Beard and Moustache Competition, hosted by the Gotham City Beardsman Alliance.  Check out a photo of a contestant from last year, where perhaps more is more:

Not a lumber jack? Working with only some fluff or scruff? No worries- there are several categories:

1. Full beard natural
2. Beard freestyle
3. Moustache
4. Goatee
5. Recession beard – This entry is “for those that may have lost their job, stopped shaving and are getting ready for the winter.”
6. Fake beard – This is for men and women who want to participate, but can’t grow beards

(If you go: The competition is at Europa Club on Saturday at 6 p.m., 98 Meserole Ave., Greenpoint, $15)

I think this is totally great, and I’m going to put my razor away tonight: my next “Idea of the Week” is going to be Moustache Mondays!