Meaning:
A short growth of beard, aimed to affect a rugged masculine or deliberately
unkempt appearance.
Background:
Stubble has been the word used since the 13th century to denote the short cut
stumps of grain-stalks left in the ground after harvesting. Since the 17th
century `stubble-beard' has been used also to refer to the short growth of
men's beards.
During most of the 20th century a clean-shaven appearance was considered
smart and hygienic in Western society. In the 1980s the beard growth that had
previously been derided as `five o-clock shadow' became the fashionable
`designer stubble'. This was the name given to the rugged macho look that men
obtained by going a few days without shaving. The image that was conveyed was
that the wearer was either too busy or too rebellious and carefree to bother
with shaving. It also harked back to the cool and macho appearance affected
by actors like Clint Eastwood in his 1960s spaghetti western roles.
The best known of all `designer stubble' wearers was George Michael. The look
wasn't easy to maintain as it required a few days' beard growth and shaving
spoiled the effect. The electric beard trimmer came to the rescue and once it
became easy to maintain the look for long periods it became much more
popular. The earliest reference to the phrase that I have found is in
Familiar Friends - Northwest Plants, Rhoda Whittlessey, July 1985:
"De Ijsbreker Musiekcentrum is a vibrant, cutting-edge venue favored by
intellectuals and the designer-stubble set."
That reference is to a performance venue in Amsterdam by an American author,
so we can reasonably assume that the term was current in the US by 1985. An
unambiguous definition of it comes soon afterwards in Campaign Magazine,
August 1986:
That reference is to a performance venue in Amsterdam by an American author,
so we can reasonably assume that the term was current in the US by 1985. An
unambiguous definition of it comes soon afterwards in Campaign Magazine,
August 1986:
"The beard trimmer, which allows the user to wear a fashionable `designer
stubble' look without having to shave and grow it every three days, is
already popular in the US."
- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]
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I knew mutton chops and designer clothes before "designer stubble" and now the
story is complete. It only makes sense. Why not if one can be both lazy and
fashionable? I rarely see Asian males wear designer stubble, though. Our beard
looks better Laozi/Guangong style.
