Looking at the History of Wigs

Wigs have been worn throughout history and not just as a fashion item, it was used to demonstrate wealth and importance as well as protection against lice or weather.

Egyptians

In ancient Egypt, people found it easier the shave their hair than to keep it clean and free of pests in the hot Egyptian sun, so people mostly wore wig to shield their bald heads from the sun. Wigs did not try to simulate real hair, and typically consisted of assorted sizes of braids set with beeswax or something similar, creating a rather stiff feel. 

Greek and Roman

Wigs were commonplace in Greek and Roman times. Roman prostitutes brought about the blonde or yellow wig as they were compelled to wear them as a badge of their profession but it soon became fashionable as ladies from higher society began to wear them. 

Victorian

Wigs were worn as a means to hide baldness or to improve one's personal appearance, it also served a practical purpose as it was easier to clean a wig infested with lice than one's own hair. The wigs began to become larger and more extravagant, making it difficult to wear. In the 18th century, wigs were powdered to give them their distinctive white or off-white colour. This resulted in riots in France, resulting from the fact, because of the expensive cost of wig powder, aristocrats were using bread flour to adorn their wigged heads.

Later on, with the French revolution, the wig saw its demise as they were associated with the evils of aristocracy. However it has been worn as a badge of authority in law by barristers and judges in England as well as in several African countries such as Kenya and Ghana,

Modern

Nowadays, wigs are mostly worn for fancy dresses or costumes or in movies and is more affordable to change one's appearance by simply donning different styles.

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