From: BeautyTrends
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Wigs have been used throughout history for adornment, fashion, work and a symbol of status. They have played a very important role in history, culture and art. While their uses and ways of manufacture have changed through time, they still play a very important role in society.
The earliest wigs date back to ancient Egypt. The Egyptians shaved their heads to rid themselves of vermin in the hot summer sun, and used wigs to cover their otherwise bare heads. Wigs were also used as a status symbol; many ancient coffins have been found showing the deceased wearing wigs. Most of the classical civilizations used wigs, including the Greeks and Romans.
After the collapse of Rome, the use of wigs declined for over 1000 years. Around the 16th century, wigs made a resurgence in Europe, fueled by their use by many monarchs. Queen Elizabeth I of England notably wore an elaborate red wig. King Louis XIII of France went bald at a young age, and his use of wigs popularized their use among men.
By the late 17th century, wigs were a necessary fashion item for any man of social standing. Wigmakers guilds were established across Europe. By this time, long curly wigs had become one of the ubiquitous fixtures of British courts, which they still are today. The English term “wig” entered the language around this time as a shortened version of “periwig,” which was derived from the French word “perruque.”
In the 18th century, both men and women powdered their wigs with white powder for formal occasions; other colors were available. Wigs became a symbol of the ruling classes of Europe. This was particularly true in France, where the massive, elaborate wigs worn by women at court became one of many symbols of perceived excesses in the French monarchy, which contributed to the French Revolution.
Wigs were still worn as a status symbol by men in some countries (especially Britain) well into the 19th century. In classically liberal societies like the United States, wigs fell out of style for over a century. Wigs became more fashionable in the mid to late 20th century as new treatments for diseases like cancer led to more people losing their hair, and as modern societies became more socially tolerant.
Interestingly, wigs have rarely been a major form of dress in Eastern nations. The primary use of wigs there was by entertainers. Most notable of these are the geishas of Japan, who wear a large black wig known as a katsura. The kisaeng of Korea (similar to Japanese geishas) also wore a large wig known as a gache, which was also worn by elite women of ancient Korean society. The gache was very heavy on the head, weighing as much as nine pounds.
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