Title: Why Did Colonial Men Wear Wigs?. The Importance of Fashion, Prestige… | by Douglas Perkins | Lessons from History | Medium
Headings: Why Did Colonial Men Wear Wigs?
Why Did Colonial Men Wear Wigs?
The Importance of Fashion, Prestige, and Baldness
An Unfortunate STD
Going Bald? Wear a Wig
The Europeans Know
Class Distinction
Age Matters
An Assortment, if you can
Done

Content: Why Did Colonial Men Wear Wigs?. The Importance of Fashion, Prestige… | by Douglas Perkins | Lessons from History | Medium
Why Did Colonial Men Wear Wigs? The Importance of Fashion, Prestige, and Baldness
Douglas Perkins
Feb 1 · 4 min read
George Washington with his own hair in 1790 & Louis XIV in a wig in 1701 (Public Domain)
Wigs were a fashionable trend in colonial America in the 18th century. The full-bottomed peruke, as Louis XIV is seen wearing above with its long flowing curls, was at its most popular in Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, but wigs decreased in size toward the end of the 18th century. The Founding Fathers are often seen wearing shorter wigs in the latter part of the 18th century. Wigs were commonly made of human, yak, horse, or goat hair; human hair wigs were by far the most expensive. John Admas in a wig (Public Domain)
Surprisingly, George Washington never wore a wig. He was one of five Presidents who had red hair and he powdered his hair white, as white hair was considered fashionable, and a sign of wealth and prestige. However, the next four US presidents did indeed wear wigs.