DA: David, like me, you're moving into middle age. You always appear to be very stylish and somewhat cutting edge. What advice do you give clients looking to maintain an edge as they get older?
DR: I'm going to be 50 this year and I've got a lot of guy friends who look at me as being this very stylish guy and the think of themselves as regular Joes and the advice I give them is always very simple. To me, style and trend are such a different thing. I think for a man to be stylish is very easy -- a little bit of facial hair, growing your sideburns down a little bit longer, taking a good look at a trend and adapting it to your style as opposed to abandoning your style for a trend. Guys who are balding can get a great haircut with a clean taper in the back. Go to a stylist who understands head shape and male-specific design. Don't fall into a category where you're comfortable. Push it, you know. Every guy I know has the opportunity to be stylish and it's really simple things. I think facial hair can be one of the most attractive things on a guy. It's such a simple way for a guy to change his look. What length depends on the face of the guy.
If you look back to the 30s, 40s or 50s, a very stylish time, men tried a lot harder. Guys today get a little sloppy and comfortable. No disrespect, but leave your golf clothes for the golf course. And hair is so important. I don't understand when somebody says to me, "oh it's so expensive to go to a stylist," but they go to Starbucks for a $3 latte six days a week. That's $90 on a coffee habit! So, tell me what's more imporant, your hair or your coffee habit? I go to 7-Eleven to get a $.50 cup of coffee for my caffeine and go get a $90 haircut. I just think it's so important to be relevant and understand just what a statement your hair makes.
DA: David, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with me. I'm looking forward to seeing what you and American Crew have in store for us in the future.
DR: Anytime.
David Raccuglia is a barber, hairdresser, photographer, and founder of American Crew. American Crew was established in 1994 and remains one of the worlds most popular men's grooming lines.
Additional support for this article was provided by Wallace Barlow, an Atlanta hairstylist specializing in men's hair.
