The Fascinating History of Wigs: From Royal Status Symbols to Modern Fashion

Have you ever looked at an old portrait of a King or a Judge and wondered why they were wearing massive, curly, white clouds of hair? Today, we wear wigs for cosplay, to change our look, or to cover hair loss. But in the 17th and 18th centuries, a wig wasn’t just an accessory—it was a loud statement of power, wealth, and social standing.

Let’s pull back the curtain on the bizarre and often smelly history of why the world became obsessed with "Big Wigs."

1. The Royal Insecurity: How a Bald King Started a Trend

The explosion of wig fashion didn't start with a style icon; it started with a desperate King. King Louis XIII of France began losing his hair at a very young age. In the 1600s, baldness was seen as a sign of weakness and poor health. To protect his "tough" image, he hired 48 wig-makers to create elaborate hairpieces for him.

His successor, King Louis XIV (The Sun King), took it even further. He used wigs to project an image of eternal youth and divinity. Because the King wore them, every aristocrat and nobleman in Europe felt they had to wear them too, just to stay relevant.

2. The Origin of the "Big Wig"

Have you ever heard a powerful person referred to as a "Big Wig"? This isn't just a slang term; it’s a literal historical reference.

• The more expensive and larger the wig, the more important the person wearing it.
• A high-quality wig made of human hair could cost as much as a commoner’s yearly salary.
• Only the elite could afford the massive, shoulder-length "full-bottomed" wigs. Thus, the most powerful men were quite literally the "Big Wigs" of society.

3. The Dark Truth: Syphilis and Lice

Beyond the glamour, there were two very gross reasons why wigs became essential:

• The Syphilis Epidemic: During this era, Europe was ravaged by syphilis. One of its main symptoms was patchy hair loss and sores. Wigs were the perfect "shield" to hide the physical signs of the disease.
• The Lice Solution: Personal hygiene was difficult in the 1600s, and head lice were everywhere. To solve the problem, people would shave their natural hair off entirely. It was much easier to "de-louse" a wig by boiling it in water than it was to treat a head of natural hair.

4. Why Were They White? (The Powder Power)

You’ve likely noticed that historical wigs were often white or grey. This was achieved using hair powder made from starch or flour.

• The Scent: Because people didn't bathe often, wigs eventually started to smell. Powder was scented with lavender, orange, or nutmeg to mask the odor.
• The Prestige: White hair was associated with wisdom and authority. This is why even today, Judges and Barristers in the UK and some Commonwealth countries still wear white horsehair wigs as a symbol of the law's impartiality.

5. Marie Antoinette and the "Height" of Fashion

Wigs weren't just for men. Queen Marie Antoinette of France turned hair into an architectural feat. Her wigs, known as poufs, were often three feet tall! They were decorated with feathers, jewels, and even miniature models of ships or birdcages to celebrate military victories or personal events.

6. The Tax that Killed the Trend

By the end of the 18th century, wigs became a symbol of the "greedy rich." During the French Revolution, wearing a wig could literally get you executed, as it marked you as an aristocrat.

In England, the trend died when the government introduced the Hair Powder Tax in 1795. Suddenly, looking like a "Big Wig" was too expensive even for the wealthy. People began to embrace their natural hair, and the era of the giant wig came to an end.

Conclusion

The history of wigs shows us that fashion is rarely just about looking good. It was born out of insecurity, disease, and the need to show off. From King Louis’s bald spot to Marie Antoinette’s birdcages, the wig remains one of the most iconic symbols of human vanity.

If you enjoyed this journey through history, feel free to share! My next article will dive into: "The History of High Heels: Why Men Wore Them First?"