People in the 1700s were obsessed with wigs. Like, seriously. It wasn’t just a fashion statement ; it was a full-blown cultural moment. If they had TikTok back then, there’s no doubt wig installs would’ve been trending non-stop.
So if you’ve ever seen someone in an old painting with what looks like a giant powdered mop on their head and wondered what was going on, you are so not alone. I used to think maybe they were hiding something… like a bald patch or an old timey mullet gone wrong (don’t judge me). But once I actually sat down and looked into it ; whew, it’s a whole thing.
So get comfy, grab your snacks, and let’s talk wigs. 1700s style.
Okay, First of All: Why Were Wigs Even a Thing?
Let’s be real: it wasn’t about comfort. Those wigs were big, heavy, and high maintenance. So why’d people wear them?
Wigs in the 1700s were like the ultimate status symbol ; they screamed power, wealth, and high society.
If you had the money, you were getting the wig. The bigger and more ridiculous it looked? The richer people assumed you were. Like, imagine someone walking into Sephora with a six-foot wig on. You’d be looking, right?
So, yeah… status flexes were definitely part of the vibe.
The Bald Truth: Hair Loss and Disease
Here’s where it gets kinda gross but interesting. Back in the 1600s and early 1700s, there was this super sketchy STD spreading across Europe: syphilis.
Yup. You read that right.
One of the symptoms? Hair loss. And we’re not talking like a little patch here and there. People were losing eyebrows, eyelashes, and entire hairlines.
And obviously, modern medicine didn’t exist. So people just… slapped a wig on it and kept it moving. Wigs were like their version of Filters + Concealer + Dry Shampoo in one.
Powdered wigs were basically the 18th-century way of hiding the fact that your real hair was doing the absolute most… in a bad way.
It wasn’t just about looks either. Personal hygiene was also kinda sketchy back then. Lice were running wild. Washing your hair wasn’t something you did often, so wigs were easier to clean and manage (gross, I know, but also 🤷).
Power Wig Energy: Who Wore Them?
At first, it was mostly elite European men ; especially in France and England ; who started rockin’ wigs. Kings, judges, politicians, that whole crew. When King Louis XIV of France started losing his curls, he got a wig. Then everyone wanted one.
It was like… if King Louis posts a GRWM on Reels with his powdered gray masterpiece, the entire Versailles court is placing orders by noon.
Let’s break it down a bit:
| Type of Person | Type of Wig | Why They Wore It |
|---|---|---|
| Kings/Nobility | HUGE white powdered wigs | Power! Prestige. Give me drama. |
| Judges | Shorter, curled wigs | Symbol of justice and seriousness |
| Everyday Men | Smaller wigs (or fake it) | Keep up with fashion, kinda like trends |
| Women | Massive styled wigs | Fashion accessory and basically theater |
Now… women’s wigs? That’s a whole other level. They were doing the most. We’re talking wigs that looked like tiered cakes or full-on ships with sails. Yes girl, sails.
Fashion back then didn’t come to play.
Powdered… Why?
If you’ve seen 1700s wigs before, you’ve probably noticed they were all looking kinda the same color: that pale, ashy white-gray. That was powder. It’d be like if everyone today suddenly decided we were only allowed to use one blonde shade of hair dye forever.
They’d apply this scented powder made with starch or sometimes, like, crushed bones… which I know is creepy, but again… different times.
No dry shampoos, no Olaplex, just powdered crust and vibes.
And the powder was used not just to make the wig look uniform, but also to mask smells or bugs. Because yeah… lice were a common issue in all that hair.
So Wait, Were People Bald? Or…?
Yes and no. Some shaved their heads completely so they could wear wigs more comfortably ; like a natural wig cap moment. Others still had hair but it was thinning or patchy, especially if they were sick or getting older.
Some judges and politicians actually called their wigs “perukes” or “periwigs.” Same concept, just bougie words.
There were also different types of wigs for different occasions. You wouldn’t wear your biggest most extra hair to court, but maybe you would to a fancy ball where a duke might see you.
Kind of like how you wouldn’t wear a full cut crease and rhinestone liner to brunch… unless you’re really into that, and then live your life.
Fun Little Wig Facts You Didn’t Ask For (But They’re Cool Anyway)
Let’s break this up with some random tidbits because I promise this stuff gets even weirder the deeper you look:
- Wig makers were called perruquiers and they had a whole class system. You couldn’t just go from barber to wig master overnight.
- Wigs got so expensive that people would pass them down through generations like heirlooms.
- Men used to carry little powder puff bags called powder muffs to fix their wigs throughout the day. Fashion is HARD.
- Wigs were so big, women couldn’t fit into carriages without sticking their heads out of the window. Commitment.
But Why Did It All Stop?
Weirdly, by the end of the 1700s, wigs just… kind of fell off. People got tired of the whole exaggerated look and started going natural. Stuff like the French Revolution didn’t help either ; if you looked too fancy, you were basically saying you were against the people. Yikes.
Also, taxes were introduced on hair powder in places like Britain which made wigs way more expensive. Imagine if they taxed your setting spray and suddenly no one wore makeup again. It was kind of like that.
So as styles became simpler and wigs looked outdated, people ditched them. And by the early 1800s, wigs were mostly gone ; except in courtrooms, where British judges are still rocking them to this day. Iconic, honestly.
Do Wigs From the 1700s Influence Wigs Today?
Totally. I mean, not directly maybe, but the fact that hair can be this huge art form? That definitely stuck. The idea that your hair ; or wig ; can be a whole statement? Absolutely.
We’re out here gluing lace fronts, using hot tools, styling baby hairs with toothbrushes, blending scalp makeup… it’s creative expression just like it was back then. Only now it’s spicier, safer, and way more slayable.
Like, the precision it takes to lay a synthetic wig and make it look like your real hair? Yep ; 1700s wig makers would be shook.
Quick Wig Recap, Because Why Not:
| 1700s Wig Thing | 2024 Vibe |
|---|---|
| Powdered white wigs | Platinum blonde units |
| Giant curls and volume | Body wave and deep wave lace |
| Symbol of wealth | Symbol of self-expression |
| People powdered them daily | People style and slay daily |
| Wore for health/hiding hair | Worn for creative freedom |
Wig Recommendations, If You’re Feeling the Vibe
Not saying you need to rock a six-foot-tall wig to the grocery store. But if reading all this made you want to experiment, I got you:
- Outre Melted Hairline Lace Wig: Super beginner-friendly and lays like a dream.
- Sensational What Lace Collection: If you want to go full glam, this slaps.
- Zury Sis Retro Wig: For something funky that kinda gives 1700s vibes but make it fashion.
Also, don’t forget your wig caps, a melt band, and some bomb wig glue like Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray or Ebin Wonder Lace Bond depending on your hold preference.
Last Thought
People in the 1700s might’ve started the wig trend because of some pretty grim reasons (hello, disease and classism), but the wig glow-up is real. Now it’s all about choice, creativity, and fun, which makes it so much cooler.
So if someone ever gives you side-eye for switching up your hair every other week, just remind them:
“Wigs are like shoes for your head. You can never have too many.”
And honestly? They would’ve eaten that up in 1700. Wigs then. Wigs now. Wigs forever.
Thanks for hanging out with me and geeking out over old-timey hair drama. Stay cute, stay curious, and keep slaying ; with or without a powdered pouf.
