Wig
A wig is an artificial or natural hairpiece worn on the head, serving various purposes for both men and women. Wigs can be used to enhance appearance, change hairstyles, or conceal hair loss due to medical conditions. They come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and colors, made from natural human hair or synthetic materials. The historical use of wigs dates back to ancient Egypt, where they symbolized status and provided protection from the sun. Throughout history, wigs have experienced fluctuating popularity, notably in the 16th and 18th centuries when they became fashionable among royalty and the wealthy. The 18th century also saw the establishment of wigs as part of formal court attire in Britain, a practice that continues for judges and lawyers to this day. From royal figures like Queen Elizabeth I to cultural practices in Japan, wigs have played a significant role in fashion and social status across different cultures. Today, wigs remain a versatile accessory, embraced for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
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Wig
A wig is artificial or natural hair worn on the head in place of real hair. Both women and men wear wigs or hairpieces to appear as if they have hair or to change the way they look. People with certain medical conditions that predispose them to hair loss use wigs to cover their balding heads. Modern wigs come in an array of sizes, styles, and colors and are made from a mix of both natural and synthetic hair. During the eighteenth century, wigs became popular in court fashion. While most countries stopped requiring wigs in court, British lawyers and judges continued to wear wigs during criminal court cases into the twenty-first century.
Overview
Some of the first wigs date back to the Egyptians around 2700 B.C.E. They used human hair, plant fibers, and sheep's wool to make the wigs, which consisted of masses of braids. Wigs were used as a status symbol and worn to shield the head from the sun. The Romans used wigs as fashion accessories and favored blond hair.
Wigs waned in popularity, resurfacing in the mid-sixteenth century when elaborate hairstyles came into fashion with the royal court. Queen Elizabeth I of England, who sported red and gold hair, was rumored to have owned more than one hundred wigs. Many women imitated Elizabeth's style, but women who could not afford wigs instead styled their hair to look like wigs.
In the seventeenth century, King Louis XIII of France wore pieces of fake hair to cover his thinning locks, eventually donning wigs. Both women and men copied this style and wore wigs and pieces of fake hair to supplement their own manes. Wigs became status symbols, and the wealthy wore the largest wigs. Wigs became high, curly, and long and were showered with powder and perfumes. The French Charles II popularized a full wig known as a perruque or periwig in the mid-1600s. The word wig originated from the word periwig.
In the 1700s, nearly everyone who could afford wigs wore them. They ranged in size and style and came in formal and everyday versions. A piece of fake hair known as a toupee came into fashion at this time; it was intermingled with a person's own hair. Also during the eighteenth century, the courts in Britain and other countries began to require judges and lawyers to wear wigs in court.
In the early nineteenth century, the popularity of wigs again waned—especially with men. However, the fashion of natural hair was short-lived and replaced by elaborate styles. Pads, false hair, and other pieces were used to bulk the hair. Human hair was collected and made into postiche, which meant "added hair." Men again wore wigs and false hairpieces to cover bald spots.
The new "bob" hairstyle replaced wigs in the early twentieth century. Wigs came back into style in the 1950s, and many celebrities began to don them. The advent of wig machines flooded the market with synthetic and cheaper wigs, boosting their popularity; however, many people still preferred wigs made of natural hair. People who had lost their hair to medical conditions and treatments also began to wear wigs. Hairpieces, extensions, and wigs remained popular into the twenty-first century.
Bibliography
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Cox, Caroline. "History of Wigs." LoveToKnow, fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-history-eras/history-wigs. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
Farah, Alexis. "Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know about Wigs—Answered." Women's Health, 8 July 2015, www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/wigs. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
Greene, Jes. "Why British Lawyers Still Wear Those Wigs in Court." Modern Notion. 27 Feb. 2015, modernnotion.com/brits-still-wear-wigs-in-court. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
Stenn, Kurt. "Everything Has a History Including Wigs." History News Network, 13 Mar. 2016, historynewsnetwork.org/article/161907. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
"Wigs in Colonial Williamsburg." Colonial Williamsburg, www.history.org/history/clothing/men/wigcover.cfm. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
"Wigs Off as Britain Ends Courtroom Tradition." Reuters, 13 July 2007, www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-wigs-idUSL1287872820070713. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.
Young, Logan. "Businesses and Organizations Help Cancer Patients with Wigs, Scarves, Styling and More." Southeast Missourian, 5 Oct. 2016, www.semissourian.com/story/2344986.html. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016.