A wig is a head of hair which can be made from various materials including human hair, horse hair, wool or synthetic hair. Wigs date back to the 1600s & have been worn for different reasons over the past centuries to the modern day.
16th & 17th Centuries
Wigs were used in the 16th Century mainly to compensate for hair loss & to improve personal appearance. Aside from this, they also served a practical purpose; due to the unhygienic conditions, head lice were common. This problem was reduced by shaving the hair & replacing it with a hairpiece or wig.
Wigs were also a symbol of Royalty & were very fashionable at this time for both men & women. Queen Elizabeth, who is renowned for her red hair, was infact bald & wore wigs to maintain her appearance as Queen. With this in mind, wigs became increasingly popular amongst men. ‘Perukes’ or ‘Periwigs’ were introduced in Britain following the French style inherited by Charles II after being exiled in France. These wigs were shoulder length or longer & imitated the long hair that had became fashionable in the 1600s. Wigs in this style soon became popular in the English court, a look that is still being worn by those of higher authority in court rooms.
18th Century
In the 18th century, men's wigs were powdered in order to give them their distinctive white or off-white colour. Contrary to popular belief, women in the 18th century did not wear wigs, but wore a coiffure (a hair style) supplemented by artificial hair or hair from other sources - the original hair extensions!
Among women in the French court of Versailles in the mid-to-late 18th century, large, elaborate and often themed wigs were in Vogue for women. These combed-up hair extensions were often very heavy & were weighed down with pomades, powders, and other ornamentation. In the late 18th century this style of hair became symbolic of the decadence of the French nobility.
During the 18th century, men's wigs became smaller & more formal with several professions adopting them as part of their official costumes - this tradition survives in legal systems. Until 1823, bishops of the Church of England and Church of Ireland wore ceremonial wigs. The wigs worn by barristers are in the style favoured in the late eighteenth century.
19th & 20th Centuries
Wearing wigs as a symbol of social status was largely abandoned in the newly created United States & France by the start of the 19th Century. Infact, full wigs were not fashionable in the 19th & early 20th Century & were often only worn by those who had lost their hair. However, during the late 19th & early 20th Century, hairdressers in England & France began supplying postiche - small hairpieces with curls or false buns - which were used to be incorporated into the hairstyle. The use of postiche did not become unpopular, even as women’s hair grew shorter between 1910 & 1920, but did seem to go out of fashion during the 1920s.
21st Century
In the modern day, wigs are worn by some people on a daily or occasional basis in everyday life. This is sometimes due to convenience, wigs can be styled ahead of time & come in a variety of styles & colours. However, wigs are also worn by individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons - some women find that wearing a wig after suffering hair loss makes them feel more feminine again.
Wigs are also commonly used in film, theatre & television, & many celebrities wear wigs to completely transform their image when on stage, for example Lady GaGa, Cher & even Dolly Parton are well known for wearing wigs.
16th & 17th Centuries
Wigs were used in the 16th Century mainly to compensate for hair loss & to improve personal appearance. Aside from this, they also served a practical purpose; due to the unhygienic conditions, head lice were common. This problem was reduced by shaving the hair & replacing it with a hairpiece or wig.
Wigs were also a symbol of Royalty & were very fashionable at this time for both men & women. Queen Elizabeth, who is renowned for her red hair, was infact bald & wore wigs to maintain her appearance as Queen. With this in mind, wigs became increasingly popular amongst men. ‘Perukes’ or ‘Periwigs’ were introduced in Britain following the French style inherited by Charles II after being exiled in France. These wigs were shoulder length or longer & imitated the long hair that had became fashionable in the 1600s. Wigs in this style soon became popular in the English court, a look that is still being worn by those of higher authority in court rooms.
18th Century
In the 18th century, men's wigs were powdered in order to give them their distinctive white or off-white colour. Contrary to popular belief, women in the 18th century did not wear wigs, but wore a coiffure (a hair style) supplemented by artificial hair or hair from other sources - the original hair extensions!
Among women in the French court of Versailles in the mid-to-late 18th century, large, elaborate and often themed wigs were in Vogue for women. These combed-up hair extensions were often very heavy & were weighed down with pomades, powders, and other ornamentation. In the late 18th century this style of hair became symbolic of the decadence of the French nobility.
During the 18th century, men's wigs became smaller & more formal with several professions adopting them as part of their official costumes - this tradition survives in legal systems. Until 1823, bishops of the Church of England and Church of Ireland wore ceremonial wigs. The wigs worn by barristers are in the style favoured in the late eighteenth century.
19th & 20th Centuries
Wearing wigs as a symbol of social status was largely abandoned in the newly created United States & France by the start of the 19th Century. Infact, full wigs were not fashionable in the 19th & early 20th Century & were often only worn by those who had lost their hair. However, during the late 19th & early 20th Century, hairdressers in England & France began supplying postiche - small hairpieces with curls or false buns - which were used to be incorporated into the hairstyle. The use of postiche did not become unpopular, even as women’s hair grew shorter between 1910 & 1920, but did seem to go out of fashion during the 1920s.
21st Century
In the modern day, wigs are worn by some people on a daily or occasional basis in everyday life. This is sometimes due to convenience, wigs can be styled ahead of time & come in a variety of styles & colours. However, wigs are also worn by individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons - some women find that wearing a wig after suffering hair loss makes them feel more feminine again.
Wigs are also commonly used in film, theatre & television, & many celebrities wear wigs to completely transform their image when on stage, for example Lady GaGa, Cher & even Dolly Parton are well known for wearing wigs.
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