Belfast - Most people will think that being the first British man to win the Tour de France will be Bradley Wiggins' claim to fame. I beg to differ.
As a long-time admirer of history's most flamboyant 'tache, which spent most of its life between the nose and upper lip of Freddie Mercury, I am in a position to state that Mr Wiggins has reintroduced into the popular consciousness those other denizens of 1970s lore - sideburns. Already his Mod margins have caught on among English cricket fans, and be prepared for an outbreak of Velcro boards among the crowds at the Olympics.
Can the real thing be far behind as a fashion accessory for the discerning gent?
Perhaps less capable of being copied but no less notable for obvious reasons is the humungous beard (grown for religious reasons) sported by South Africa's record breaking batsman, Natal's own Hashim Amla. Amla's chin locks are all the more extravagant given the fact he's as bald as a coot.
Which will be some comfort to Messers Wilkinson and Gillette, for whom the return of the hirsute male will be greeted as a kind of shaver's version of a currency collapse.
None the less the message is clear: hair is back and lots of it.
One wonders if there could be a connection with the charitable activities of the Movember campaign to highlight awareness of male cancers, linking 'taches with testosterone?
On the plus side, the new trend may free up more bathroom time for the ladies, with less razoring for the gents.
One the downside, however, it may only encourage the laziest of menfolk, ie: those who watch cycling and cricket on television, to spend even less time on personal grooming. - Belfast Telegraph