Hair stylists and image coaches tell us how to ace the bald look

Last week the Internet woke up to the news of a Prince from the British royal family making it to a list that ranked men by their sex appeal many expressing their disbelief that he wasnrsquot Harry pun intended On closer inspection of the list we found out that it is Prince William who was crowned the sexiest bald man alive in 2023 by online marketing agency Reboot beating the likes of Vin Diesel and Jason Statham Hair stylists and image coaches from the city tell us how you can ace the bald look if yoursquore hoping to make it to the list any time soonTrim it right Men often spot the signs of hair loss or balding before it becomes evident to others While men with lush manes are offered a wide range of styles to choose from at salons those with balding often find themselves lost while navigating this stagePrathamesh Sawant Atharva Takke and Neha GuptaldquoIf itrsquos the early stages of balding I suggest growing your hair out a little and getting haircuts where we can strategically cover up for the balding areas without making it obvious A French crop is my personal favourite suggestion which helps cover hair recession If yoursquore in the advanced stages of balding I suggest trimming the sides and back shorter which relatively takes the attention away from the balding areardquo suggests Prathamesh Sawant hair stylist and coowner Nomad Barber IndiaAtharva Takke cofounder U Takke Salons tells us that men can look beyond haircuts and embrace options like hair patches which look almostindistinguishable and open new avenues to experiment with classic hairstyles He adds ldquoIf they are not comfortable with any of these options shaving it all off is the best option Itrsquos a bold statement and I always encourage my clients if they choose to take that roadrdquoBeard for balanceSeveral studies have shown that individuals with male pattern baldness are genetically predisposed to growing thick and striking facial hair Takke suggests cashing in on this phenomenon ldquoBeards are a great way to add balance to the facial structure when yoursquore balding but choosing the right beard is keyrdquo For men with a rounder head and narrower jawline he suggests sporting a full beard that adds definition to the face Men who have oblong and broader jawlines can opt for stubbles or shorter beard styles that balance out the empty space without broadening the face too muchSawant recommends a light rugged stubble which he believes can add to their masculinity ldquoA Van Dyke beardstyle moustache and goatee combination looks pretty classic and suitable for formal settings If yoursquore looking for something basic you can never go wrong with a full beard groomed regularlyrdquo he addsCut from different clothldquoBald men have a wonderful canvas for trying out various classic looks by playing with their fashion choices Dressing with either solid patterns or monochrome can look pretty cool with a cleanshaven headrdquo the stylist remarks Takke echoes this sentiment adding ldquoAny option from baggy to tailormade fits and solids to wacky prints tend to look great with a bald head Experimenting with accessories however is the real game changer A simple fedora can be a fun addition to your look if yoursquore heading out for brunch Wear a basic beanie if yoursquore going for a sporty cool vibe Avoid headwear that has fancy embellishments or big flashy logos Theyrsquoll attract attention to the headrdquo he suggestsThe stylist reveals that a musthave in your wardrobe is eyewear ldquoWhatever the occasion therersquos always room for eyewear Choose subtle eyewear for formal settings but when you have the freedom choose the funkiest piece you can get your hands onrdquoLetrsquos talk businessNeha Gupta a Mumbaibased image consultant says that men with hair loss often have low selfesteem which can directly hamper their confidence and performance at work She recommends a checklist to ensure yoursquore always on top of your game ldquoReminding yourself that your hair is only a part of your overall image is vital Itrsquos an individualrsquos body language etiquette and fashion sense that leave a lasting first impression in professional settingsrdquo she assertsTo that end Gupta shares some styling tips ldquoIf more than a third of your head is bare itrsquos a good time to shave it all off for a clean prim and professional look A clean and shiny head shows you put effort into grooming Ditch oversized suits and shirts and add tailormade wellfitting alternatives to your wardrobe At the end of the day itrsquos your communication skills and etiquette that will take you placesrdquo she concludes