Timeline of Wig Fashion History
Wigs have been used in fashion for thousands of years. Different cultures and eras have worn wigs as symbols of style or social status. This article looks at the history of wigs used in fashion, from ancient times to today, in chronological order. It does not cover medical or theatre uses. The language is kept simple and clear, with short sentences, for easy reading.
c. 3400 BC (Ancient Egypt)
Earliest evidence of false hair. Egyptians used hair extensions and wigs made of human hair, wool, or plant fibers. Wigs signified wealth and kept heads cool in the sun.
Ancient Greece & Rome (c. 500 BC – 400 AD)
Greek and Roman elites wore wigs. Roman women favoured blonde wigs (using Germanic hair), and men like Emperor Otho wore wigs too. Early Christians frowned on wigs as vanity.
Middle Ages (500-1400 AD)
Wigs fell out of fashion in medieval Europe. Most people wore natural hair or simple head-coverings. The Church’s influence made excessive adornment (like wigs) seem sinful.
16th Century
Wigs slowly returned. Queen Elizabeth I of England (1533-1603) wore many ornate red wigs after losing hair to illness. She owned over 80 hairpieces and set a trend among nobles.
17th Century
The big wig fashion began. King Louis XIII of France (1601-1643) started wearing wigs to cover his baldness, making them popular for noblemen. By late 1600s, King Louis XIV’s huge, long wigs (perukes) were the height of fashion.
18th Century
Wigs became larger and were worn by both men and women at royal courts. White powdered wigs with elaborate curls were common. Wigs showed wealth and status, but after the French Revolution in 1789 they went out of style.
19th Century
Wigs as daily fashion nearly disappeared. In the 1800s, only older women or officials (like judges) wore traditional wigs. Most people preferred natural hairstyles.
20th Century
Wigs made a comeback in the 1960s. A French designer (Givenchy) used wigs on models in 1958, sparking renewed interest. New affordable synthetic wigs (using modacrylic fibres) appeared, allowing ordinary women to wear fashionable wigs. Big hairstyles of the 1960s (like beehives) were often achieved with wigs.
21st Century
Wigs are widely used for style and convenience. They are made from human hair (often sourced from countries like India) or high-quality synthetics. Many people use wigs to change hairstyle quickly or protect their own hair (a practice called “protective styling”).
In Conclusion
The journey of wigs in fashion has come full circle. What began in ancient times as a status symbol for pharaohs and nobles, later became the height of trend in baroque courts. Then faded, and re-emerged as a popular accessory for everyone in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Whether made of human hair or synthetic fibre, wigs have proven to be a lasting element of style and self-expression in human culture. Today, anyone can enjoy a wig to change their look.