Lifestyle briefs

Dec 29, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Trends 2012: out with the full beard, in with the clean look!

Berlin (dpa) - Having a full beard has been one of the more obvious hip fashion statements a young man can make in recent years. The trend partly has its origins in the gay scene where 'earthy' men wanted to distinguish themselves from the clean-cut, hairless, metrosexual types like David Beckham. But according to the German edition of men's magazine GQ, next year will see an about-turn on facial hair.

'Contrary to all predictions by stylists and designers the full beard has not managed to get fully accepted. Right now it's hip to be more reserved and in the world of trends that's a sign of times of crisis. As a result there's a return to simplicity. That means in 2012 fashionable men will be clean shaven or have very short, trimmed three-day-old stubble. Individualists can let it grow to a maximum of three centimetres.'

Winter gloves for touch-screen users

Berlin (dpa) - On very cold days smartphone users have a choice between warm, glove-covered hands and not sending text messages or cold, uncovered hands and keeping in contact with the world. But now a range of gloves have been developed for touch-screen users that give them the best of both worlds during the cold winter months. The gloves come in conventional cotton or leather with finger tips made from a special conductive material. The Etip Gloves from outfitters The North Face cost 39 dollars (28 euros) while Touch Gloves from Roekel are on the market for 51 dollars. Much cheaper gloves are available online for about nine dollars a pair.

Bookings open for trip to Titanic wreck

Berlin (dpa) - The Titanic sank in April 2012 during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York after it struck an iceberg. The vessel was regarded as unsinkable and yet it took just three hours for it to go under water. Approximately 1,500 people drowned. Since that day the Titanic has gained almost cult status and with the centenary of its sinking approaching, interest is once again growing in the ship. To mark the 100th anniversary the company Deep Ocean Expeditions is arranging tours to the wreck in July next year. The trip lasts 12 days and costs 59,680 dollars.