subject: A History Of Human Hair Wigs [print this page] I'm sure that with the approaching warm weather, it is easy to imagine how it felt in Ancient Egypt under the hot sun. In the summer, it is not unusual for people to get haircuts that are short or shorter than usual to keep cool. This practice was common in Egypt as well, except in Egypt it was not a short haircut that was popular but shaved heads. Men and women alike shaved their heads to avoid the blisteringly hot Egyptian sun. They also shaved their heads to avoid the plague of lice which was a common problem in this time and region.
It's not surprising that they wanted to keep the aesthetic of having hair, however, and they created the fashion of wearing human hair wigs. It wasn't uncommon for the upper class women to have two or three quality wigs that would be fashioned into elaborate styles. This helped distinguish between classes and the wealthiest of Egyptians were buried in their wigs.
The tradition carried into Greek and Roman times. Carthaginian warriors and actors would both wear wigs for the same reason, to disguise themselves in battle. These wigs were also made completely of human hair. It was common for many people to wear wigs in this time, not only the upper classes. By the end of the Roman Empire however, at the time where Christianity took over, it was said that the Catholic Church declared wigs a mortal sin. They went so far as to say that "adultery is a grievous sin, but she who wears false hair is guilty of a greater."
Thus began the decline of the human hair wig in history. It wasn't until the Elizabethan era that wigs came back into fashion. It is a commonly known fact that French King Louis XIV was fond of wigs and had over 40 wig makers and never took them off except when he went to the barber.
In modern times, it is not longer a stigma to wear a wig. This was made possible by a hair stylist in 1915 who designed wigs for Parisian fashion shows. This made it possible for women in the modern age to wear human hair wigs without shame and fear of ridicule. The wig tradition may be old but it is a respected and wonderful one. It is amazing that a practice that began in the sands of Egypt has become a modern and worldwide phenomenon.
