| is a head of hair, natural, horse-hair or synthetic | | | | and made wig wearing and longer hair for men |
| which is worn in addition to or instead of ones | | | | much in fashion. |
| own hair. The wig may be worn for religious, | | | | Wigmakers became very much in demand and |
| acting, ceremonial, and beautification reasons. | | | | part of the elite class. Their creations were very |
| Originally, the Egyptians who are the first | | | | elaborate, and also very heavy and uncomfortable |
| recorded users of wigs wore the headpiece to | | | | to wear. Human hair was the first choice, with |
| protect their shaved heads from the rays of the | | | | horse-hair a cheaper alternative. Find more info at |
| sun. The use of wigs is primarily a Western trait; | | | | |
| the Eastern world used wigs only in ancient | | | | During this period, the use of the elaborate formal |
| theater settings. | | | | powdered wigs for several professions, including |
| After the time of the ancient Egyptians, | | | | that of judges and barristers in the United |
| Phoenicians, Greeks, Assyrians and Romans, the | | | | Kingdom was standardized. |
| use of the wig fell into disfavor for nearly one | | | | Women’s wigs followed a slightly different |
| thousand years. Not until the 1500s did wig | | | | path, being worn only by ladies who had lost hair |
| wearing become popular again, and that for a | | | | due to age or illness. |
| very unpopular reason. With relatively poor | | | | A resurgence of popularity of the full wig |
| personal hygiene habits, head-lice were common. | | | | occurred in the mid to late 1900s because of the |
| The sufferers shaved their heads and wore wigs | | | | elaborate bouffant hairstyles which required |
| because the wigs were somewhat easier to clean. | | | | thicker hair than that enjoyed by many females. |
| Royal patronage was important to popularize wigs | | | | These over teased and backcombed styles |
| and wig wearing. Elizabeth I of England owned and | | | | resulted in hair damage. It was much easier to |
| wore a Romanesque style red wig. | | | | style a wig and don it for occasions requiring hair |
| France’s Louis XIII popularized the wearing | | | | styling. This was made much easier by the |
| of wigs amongst men. England’s Charles II | | | | development of artificial fibers which look much |
| was restored to the British throne after spending | | | | like human hair. |
| time in exile at the French court during this period | | | | |