Info about Wigs
Wigs – The History of Faux Hair
Who would have thought in the early years of wigs that what the imitation hair was made of indicated your social standing? In early Egyptian times wigs were made of either human hair, vegetable fibers to sheep's wool. The reason Egyptians wore head pieces was mainly because of the heat and to remain pest free. Their shaved heads were to keep them comfortable and the false hair was worn for social events. Egyptian women's head garments had beads and braids; the more decorations the higher the social status.
The word wigs comes from “periwigs” which by definition means long, curly tendrils and became popular in 1660 after Charles II returned to his throne. According to history, the imitation hairdo was used to cover bald citizens and once again became a status symbol of the wealthy and prestigious citizens.
Other civilizations wore wigs to show the wealth and to heighten the effect and volume of their hairstyles. The Roman era saw an increase in fake hair usage because they believed hair was scared and thought washing and trimming hair was ceremonial. It wasn't until the Far East that postiches were worn for entertainment purposes. Female entertainers, known as Geishas, began wearing the extravagant hair pieces as part of their performance.
The popularity of wigs disappeared for a few centuries until premature balding Louis XIII began wearing them. Because of his personal preference to hide his baldness, Louis XIII started a new fashion. Noble citizens began mimicking his actions and the wearing of wigs became a display of power and control. Only his barber saw him without his hairpiece.
Blondes have more fun and have more meaning during the Julius Caesar era because yellow hair was worn by prostitutes. The hairpieces were worn as a display of their profession. Later this caused confusion when yellow hair was being worn by Roman matrons because they considered the color fashionable.
In the 18th Century, the times of Queen Elizabeth I of England, wigs were being worn by all the upper class but also became a fashion statement with a natural allure. Young men wore the fake hairpieces but it was the older men and ladies who wore the hairpieces when they appeared in court. During the French revolution, the false hair faded away and the importance disappeared.
In recent years, wigs have gained some popularity to enhance hairstyles and with patients suffering from radiation treatments and chemotherapy. Most present day hairpieces are either made of synthetic or human hair. These artificial hairpieces are worn for convenience and aesthetic reasons.
Celebrities, like Dolly Parton, Cher, and Miley Cyrus have brought back some of its popularity. While Halloween dress up have made the adorning of the artificial hair popular again. When the Beatles' craze hit the world, wigs became a fad. Suppliers couldn't keep up with the demand for the replica of the almighty hair band's hairstyles. No longer are these a fashion trend or a sign of social status. Now it's a choice for medical reasons, hidden identities, and merriment occasions.