The barber shop has changed considerably since the days of its first inception.

Once a place of personal grooming, as well as a one-stop shop for wellness needs and even surgical procedures, today’s barber shop may be a far cry from its medieval origins, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hold a timeless appeal of its own.

The modern barber shop has enjoyed a well-earned renaissance in recent years, with savvy trendseekers and vintage enthusiasts alike seizing on the barber shop’s genius combination of practicality and old world luxury. There’s no mistaking that red, blue, and white candy-cane sign outside, nor the comfortable chairs where centuries of gentlemen cleaned up and enjoyed a bit of pampering. And while no modern barber shop is complete without those time-honored elements, a new era is emerging in the barber’s trade.

Many of today’s barber shops blend rockabilly themes with the more traditional Edwardian values, while others pursue an entirely individual vibe. Curios and gothic art can be found in many shops, while others keep it strictly no-frills. Classic or cutting edge, the barber shops of today are designed to suit every gentleman’s fancy.

The barber shop has long served as a place of reprieve for the man seeking a bit of TLC and catch-up with his friends and neighbors. That sentiment is far from lost, and the nouveau barber shop is where tradition persists-with a modern twist.