Posting Freak
I shaved today with Wholly Kaw Washington's Blend. If you haven't tried it, its just a very nice, sophisticated scent and (obviously) the scent that I imagine George Washington would have enjoyed whether he was shaving in the field on campaign or in the White House.
This got me to thinking about such questions as why was George Washington clean shaven? He's always depicted as such, although its possible that the artists drawing and painting his portraits just showed him in that "ideal" manner. The photoshop of the day. Was it generally the style of the day to be clean shaven? The style in Europe at the time tended towards whiskers on men I believe (I could be wrong here). Was it a political statement? Did it have roots in religious traditions? Puritans and Quakers and other religious groups often would distinguish themselves from other through dress and grooming.
While I am Canadian and therefore not as informed on American history as my neighbours to the south would be, the mere fact of proximity and the obvious mouse - elephant relationship ensured that growing up, I was more informed on the workings of American government and history than Canadian. A common response to the question of why we didn't study Canadian history when I was in school was "We have history?" I'm not kidding, but thats another story. Here I'm thinking about George Washington - would he have shaved his own face as a General in the field or would the barber/surgeon have done it for him? What did his own hair look like under that wig? Did he shave his head with a straight razor? It would certainly be more comfortable under that wig or did they only wear the wig for special occasions?
Any members who are knowledgeable in 18th century American grooming practices, particularly shaving, please feel free to weigh in. I really am curious if Washington let his beard grow a little at Valley Forge or whether he remained clean shaven. Were there military regulations on beards and shaving at the time?
This got me to thinking about such questions as why was George Washington clean shaven? He's always depicted as such, although its possible that the artists drawing and painting his portraits just showed him in that "ideal" manner. The photoshop of the day. Was it generally the style of the day to be clean shaven? The style in Europe at the time tended towards whiskers on men I believe (I could be wrong here). Was it a political statement? Did it have roots in religious traditions? Puritans and Quakers and other religious groups often would distinguish themselves from other through dress and grooming.
While I am Canadian and therefore not as informed on American history as my neighbours to the south would be, the mere fact of proximity and the obvious mouse - elephant relationship ensured that growing up, I was more informed on the workings of American government and history than Canadian. A common response to the question of why we didn't study Canadian history when I was in school was "We have history?" I'm not kidding, but thats another story. Here I'm thinking about George Washington - would he have shaved his own face as a General in the field or would the barber/surgeon have done it for him? What did his own hair look like under that wig? Did he shave his head with a straight razor? It would certainly be more comfortable under that wig or did they only wear the wig for special occasions?
Any members who are knowledgeable in 18th century American grooming practices, particularly shaving, please feel free to weigh in. I really am curious if Washington let his beard grow a little at Valley Forge or whether he remained clean shaven. Were there military regulations on beards and shaving at the time?
