The Evolution of the Wig

When you think of the wigs of today, what first springs to mind? Perhaps you think of wigs used to cover hair loss, maybe wigs for fancy dress or possibly even wigs worn by those in power such as judges. But what were the wigs of yesteryear used for and how did they look? How did wigs even come about? Let's take a look at the evolution of the wig and it's rich and interesting history.The Original WigsIt is thought that wigs originated in Ancient Egypt, as a way of hiding hair loss and showing off a person's status. Sometimes, people would shave their heads completely and just wear wigs so as to prevent lice or keep their heads cool. Ancient Egyptian wigs were generally made from either human hair, vegetable fibres or sheep's wool, depending on the social status of the person. The more elaborate and stylish the wig, the more powerful the person was wearing it. The Return of the WigAlthough many other cultures wore wigs throughout ancient times, it wasn't until the 16th Century when hairpieces, or periwigs as they were known then, made a big comeback. Louis XIII experienced hair loss and patches of baldness, which led him to wearing wigs in order to disguise this. Before long wigs became a fashion symbol and wig makers started springing up all around Europe. Again, the more elaborate and over the top the wig, the higher the person's social status. Men and women would both wear wigs that were long, curly and covered in powder and perfume. Queen Elizabeth I. was thought to have over 100 wigs in her collection; the fancier and more powdered, the better.ToupeesOnce the trend of big and bold had hair died down, toupees began to creep in as a fashion statement. People were looking for ways to cover hair loss, but without having to result in a full blown wig. From around 1730 many people could be seen wearing toupees, which was a smaller hair piece that mixed with a person's real hair. People would still powder their fake hair, until a hair powder tax was imposed in 1795 and put an end to the trend of powdered wigs.Modern DayWigs were phased out as fashionable items by the 19th Century, as more people focused on trying to make the most out of their own hair. Many men would just wear their hair short and use comb overs to disguise hair loss. Wigs worn nowadays tend to be for fun purposes, such as for dressing up, for celebrity fashion statements or on fashion catwalks. With more recent innovations, such as Total Cover Plus, people can now combat hair loss with natural looking solutions. Wigs have gone through a huge transformation since Ancient Egyptian times, gradually being phased out for more modern alternatives. If you want to cover hair loss by recreating nature through technology then get in touch with Total Cover Plus. No more powdered wigs or toupees in sight!