The periwig, a popular wig style in the 17th-19th centuries, was a vital fashion piece for upper-class French and British households. It was used to disguise baldness and protect against lice, and was scented with flowers due to poor hygiene. The style varied with time and trend, and was made with human or animal hair. The periwig became popular after King Louis XIII of France wore it, and was used by the British government to show social status. The trend faded in the mid-19th century, but is still worn by members of the British Parliament and judges.
A periwig is a style of wig popular between the 17th and 19th centuries, particularly in men’s fashion. The word is believed to be a corruption of the French term perruque, commonly called peruke. The periwig was a vital piece of fashion for upper-class French and British households, and played an important role in maintaining some sort of standard of hygiene. The modern term for a hairpiece, wig, is thought to have developed from periwigs.
Wigs were popular in ancient Egyptian and Greek cultures for protection from the sun and as a status symbol. After the fall of Rome, they fell out of popularity for centuries for a variety of reasons. Many experts credit the prematurely bald King Louis XIII of France with the popularity of wigs at the French court, particularly the long, curly style called the periwig.
The periwig is often seen in portraits as a long flowing mane of curls. The style of the wig varied with time and trend. Later fashions often dictated that wigs be sprayed with a starch mixture to make them appear white. For the best wigs, human hair was used, although less expensive versions substituted animal hair or combined it. Due to the unfortunate odors associated with only bathing once a year, the wigs were often scented with flowers or heavily scented.
Wigs were used not only to disguise baldness, but also to protect against lice. Throughout the Middle Ages, most European countries disdained bathing as unhealthy. It was not uncommon for nobles to bathe only once a year. As a result, people often shaved their heads, as their bathing habits did nothing to prevent insect infestation in their hair. The wigs were also infested with lice, but were removable for convenience. The periwig became the most popular style for men in the 17th century, and many famous portraits of the period contain resplendent royal or noble men in their periwig.
After King Charles II was restored to the throne in England, the trend became popular among the British. Charles spent much of his youth in exile at the French court, and gained much appreciation for French styles. Between the King of England and King Louis XIV of France, periwigs became a necessity for the courts of both nations.
Wig makers received considerable attention during this period, and they were afforded many privileges as craftsmen. Some sources say that King Louis XIV employed more than 40 wig makers in his palace at Versailles. In the late 17th century, guilds for wig makers were established in both England and France.
In America, the early colonial government wore the periwig as part of their uniform, to show social status in imitation of the British. By the mid-19th century, anti-British sentiment had driven this fashion trend away, and wigs are no longer worn by American judges or members of the US Congress. Members of the British Parliament and many judges still wear a variation of the periwig for official sittings. In 2007, the state of New South Wales Australia voted to ban the use of wigs in government activity.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
