Types of neckbeards

Neckbeards are commonly confused with the more popular "chin curtain" beard style, where the hair grows partly over the chin. This was worn most famously by Abraham Lincoln, and to this day remains popular among some religious communities such as the Amish. Today I will briefly outline the styles of neckbeard.

(a) I define a pure neckbeard to be where the face is completely shaven, down to below the jawline, and where the hair is allowed to grow all the way around the throat. Two examples of pure neckbeards are Edward Sorin and Horace Greeley.

There are many variations on this basic form:

(b) Neckbeard + sideburns. This is the most common variation. Indeed, the majority of people who wore neckbeards also included sideburns. Examples: Henry David Thoreau, Horatio Seymour, Richard Wagner.

(c) Neckbeard + moustache. Examples: George Henry Lewes, William Empson.

(d) Neckbeard shaved down the middle of the neck. When combined with sideburns, this creates the appearance of two large, prominent sideburns. Examples: Alexander Bain, John Braxton Hicks.

The crucial feature of a neckbeard is that the chin is shaven; this distinguishes neckbeards from chin curtains. Beyond this, there are, as you can see, many styles of neckbeard available. This is important in the context of promoting the neckbeard in society. One of the most common objections I have seen people make against neckbeards is that they indicate a lack of personal grooming. The fact that men with neckbeards often take care to craft their own particular style is a clear refutation of this claim.

As for my own favourite style, I think the best neckbeards are those that attempt to shave as low down the neck as possible, while keeping the beard as big and bushy as possible. William Empson's neckbeard, though not a pure neckbeard due to his moustache, was a striking achievement from this perspective.