According to their social standing, both males and females in ancient Egypt wore wigs made of human hair, sheep's wool, or vegetable fiber, which varied in style and color. It was beneficial for Egyptians to shave their heads for a variety of reasons. The lack of hair initially made it more comfortable to be outside in the hot Egyptian sun. Another advantage of being born with a bald head was that it reduced the risk of contracting lice, which was a common problem at the time.
Although it appears that Egyptians preferred having hair, it appears that this preference resulted in the development of wigs that gave the appearance of hair. The new wigs also provided protection for the bald heads of the Egyptians from the scorching heat of the desert. In Egypt, wigs became a part of the everyday wardrobe, indicating a person's social and political standing as well as their role in society or politics. Wigs for women were decorated with braids and gold hair rings as well as ivory ornaments, making them more fashionable than wigs for men. The more elaborate and involved the wig was, the higher the social rank it was able to achieve in the end!
Wigs rose in popularity and physical height almost as quickly as they fell out of favor, weighed down by the high cost and philosophical stance they took. An entirely new mentality emerged during the Age of Enlightenment, as educated men became increasingly concerned about the plight of the common man. Excessive spending on fashion and hair was seen as a sign of ignorance as the bourgeoise class grew in power. Aristocracy was associated with full lace 613 wig, particularly in Revolutionary France, and the newly wealthy bourgeoise did not want to be associated with nobility, especially given the fact that those same nobles were losing their wigged heads to the guillotine on an almost weekly basis. Wigs became increasingly associated with deception as time progressed.
However, while initially worn to conceal the effects of syphilis, wearing a wig today could be interpreted as an indication that the wearer is concealing not only the visual effects of a disease, but also deeper secrets. Wigs were effectively declared extinct when the Hair Powder Act of 1795 was passed during the reign of William Pitt the Younger in Parliament. Citizens were required to purchase a certificate in order to purchase hair powder unless they met certain requirements, such as being a member of the British Royal Family or the clergy. Today's money would buy the certificate for $122 (the equivalent of $122 back then).
In addition to the Greeks and the Romans, the Assyrians and the Phoenicians were ancient civilizations whose citizens wore wigs. The hair from slaves was frequently used to make wholesale virgin hair wigs, especially for the Romans. Unluckily, due to the relatively humid climate prevalent throughout much of Italy, there are very few examples of wigs from the time of the Roman Empire still in existence. Whether they were bald or not, both Roman women and men sported wigs. While living under the Roman Empire, wealthy Roman women were frequently seen sporting unusually elaborate hairpieces that significantly increased both the volume and the effect of their hairstyle. wigs were worn to appear natural, but many were purposely fake, with braids of contrasting hair colors to create a more realistic lookItalian slaves with their blonde hair and Indian slaves with their black hair were the most popular sources of hair for Roman wigs. As hairstyles became more and more elaborate, wearing wigs became increasingly convenient.
The wigs are nowhere to be found.
Wives have had such an impact on historical remembrance that they are often referred to as the "symbol of the late 17th century."When it comes to misrepresenting the proliferation of wigs, Hollywood appears to be particularly committed. TV shows, such as “Turn,” can't seem to get enough of the white powdered wigs, with every British soldier depicted as donning one. Pirates of the Caribbean featured a large number of British sailors without wigs, but those pesky powdered perukes did make an appearance on the big screen.
For those interested in seeing the wigs in person, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, as well as other museums around the world, have collections of wigs. But because they were not particularly easy to preserve, only a small number of them have been left.
Wives have left an indelible mark on history; British judges and barristers continued to don wigs well into the twenty-first century, though the practice is now primarily ceremonial. Wives had a significant impact on fashion during the 18th century, despite the fact that they were not as common as depictions in modern day popular culture would have us believe.
