5 spring looks - fashion trends, surprising 'in' hairstyles and short beards

Even though spring is currently keeping us waiting after a brief glimpse of its arrival – the latest fashion trends, and with them the hottest hairstyles and shaving styles, have already firmly taken hold in the world of haute couture. To make sure you don’t miss out on the latest innovations, it’s well worth a visit to the Eric:Barbier salons: Master barber Anthony Stölting’s team isn’t just at the cutting edge of fashion, but also gets first-hand insight into which looks are currently in vogue among style-conscious clients. We’re introducing you to five trends that will ensure every man gets it right this spring!

Fashion trend No. 1: Long hair is here to stay

As salons had to close until March, many men had just two options: shave their hair off or let it grow. Fortunately, the majority opted for the latter – and have since grown fond of their new head of hair. “Many customers now want to wear their hair longer and say their wives really like the new look,” reveals Anthony. Whether it’s a classic ponytail or a ‘man bun’ – with the right tips, your hair is guaranteed not to get tangled. But doesn’t long hair also mean more intensive care? Not necessarily, as the master barber says: “You should be careful not to ‘over-condition’ your hair. Many men overdo it with hair treatments.” The expert recommends using a treatment on untreated hair only during summer holidays, when salt water dries out the scalp. “In most other cases, a nourishing shampoo works against dry skin and hair. A healthy scalp also produces sebum – that’s the best treatment of all,” explains Anthony.

Fashion trend No. 2: The comeback of the perm

As the saying goes, those declared dead live longer – and this also applies to the perm. Since its heyday in the 1980s, it has made a regular comeback – and has now also carved out a place on men’s heads. “The perm is making a comeback among the 15 to 23 age group,” reveals Anthony. To achieve this, after the rollers are applied, the hair’s structure is opened up so that it takes on the desired shape. “As chemicals are often used here, a moisturising treatment should be applied once a week,” says the head of Eric:Barbier. Anyone who wants to try out the perm for the first time can wrap so-called papillotes in wet hair and dry them with a hairdryer.

Fashion trend No. 3: Less is more when it comes to beards

“Beards have been getting shorter and shorter since last year,” says master barber Anthony. Whilst the lumberjack look with a long full beard was all the rage a while ago, fashion designers are now increasingly favouring models with a neat three-day stubble and clean contours. This is also practical in the current situation, as beards that are too long counteract the effectiveness of masks and thus allow for unwanted aerosol exchange. To protect yourself and those around you, beard expert Behar Haziri advises that the mask should sit flush against the chin: “Anyone who doesn’t want to say goodbye to their beard completely should at least trim it.” Here you’ll find more tips for skin and hair under the mask.

Fashion trend No. 4: Bell-bottoms are back

What did the Beatles, Elton John and ABBA have in common? In the 60s and 70s, they not only gave the world evergreen hits, but also helped popularise flared trousers. These garments, with a tight waistband and a shape that widens towards the bottom, are making a comeback today and are also being worn by more and more men. “The trend is clearly moving away from tight chinos and towards flared styles, including, for example, wide-leg jeans,” observes Anthony. The fact that flared trousers have found their way back onto the catwalks in Paris, Milan and elsewhere is thanks to designers such as Off-White genius Virgil Abloh. The American was one of the first to pick up on the trend and reintroduce it to the fashion scene. With an extra-long cut and pleated waistbands, the styles from Off-White and Tod’s can be interpreted in a classic sixties look, whilst Gucci, for example, is embracing the flower-power vibe of the seventies and experimenting with materials such as velvet and bold patterns.

Fashion trend No. 5: It’s getting colourful!

Speaking of Flower Power: anyone with any sense of style is wearing floral and paisley patterns on their clothes this spring, as demonstrated by Dior Men. The colourful tops are not only eye-catching in everyday life, but also put us in a holiday mood and help us relax. The 80s are also making a fashion comeback – and not just in music. Pastel colours are a must-have in any wardrobe; suits in particular, with their summery shades of blue, yellow or pink, are sure to turn heads and add a touch of variety to the office or your next video conference. Looking for more of the latest trends? Here, master barber Anthony reveals which beard styles are ‘in’ for 2021.