Happy International Wig Day! Yeah, we didn’t realize it was a thing but surprise! Today’s celebration of wigs offers people everywhere the opportunity to not worry about their hair and express themselves however they deem fit. We want to celebrate with a history of wigs throughout the ages.
International Wig Day is celebrated annually on March 10. With the advanced technology and improvements within the hair industry, wigs have become a go-to in both Hollywood and people’s everyday lifestyles. It’s also an artform for hair stylists to push creative boundaries with various colors, styles and custom never-before-seen wigs.
Wig wearing dates back to the earliest recorded times. It is said that ancient Egyptians shaved their heads and wore wigs to protect themselves from the sun and that the Assyrians, Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans also used artificial hairpieces at times.
Wigs are not at all a modern creation. They have certainly evolved since 3400 BC, but they still managed to serve multiple purposes in ancient times. They were also handmade and made of different fabrics.
The inspiration for wigs hailed from the hot sun in the Egyptian desert. Egyptians shaved their hair and wigs helped them manage those harsh weather conditions while remaining fashionable.
During the 17th century, wigs became really popular and acceptable for both genders. In the days of Shakespearean plays, men preferred portraying both men and women so it’s likely wigs came in handy. (Men, am I right?) Even the French king, who always used false hairpieces to make up for his thinning hair finally decided to move on to wigs. The servants would shave him bald every day and he would wear a wig.
As hair trends transformed into the 1920s, the natural look became trendy — which caused the wig business to tank. Many women began wearing their hair in a natural bob hairstyle, while older women continued wearing wigs.
Moving into the 1950s, wigs rose to prominence once again….
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