Title: British Wigs in the 1700s | Our Everyday Life
Headings: British Wigs in the 1700s
British Wigs in the 1700s
Why Wigs Became Fashionable
Wig Powder
Changing Fashions in Wigs throughout the 18th Century
The Decline of the Fashion in Wigs

Content: Wigs allowed men of any age to affect the luxuriant, flowing locks that were in fashion. In an era of comparatively poor hygiene, a close-cropped head of hair, kept hidden under the wig in public, was easier to keep clean and free of infestation. Wigs were expensive and required regular professional maintenance. Wearing a wig was, thus, a visible sign of wealth and social status. The most expensive and sought-after wigs were made with real human hair. Cheaper wigs were made of horsehair or other animal hair. Wig Powder
From around 1715, the trend was set for wearing light colored wigs. Experiments in bleaching wigs to achieve the desired look were unsuccessful, so people began powdering their wigs in order to shade them as they wished. The powder was composed of finely ground starch and was perfumed with lavender, orange flower and other scents. Generally, wigs were powdered white, though adventurous souls experimented with colors such as violet, pink or blue.