Powdered wigs were fashionable in the 18th century for both men and women, with elaborate designs and white powder. They were made of horsehair and used frames, and were related to gender and social position. They declined in popularity by the mid-19th century but are still used in some legal and formal settings today.
Powdered wigs were an integral part of high fashion for both men and women during the 18th century. Sometimes used as part of formal accessories for both social events and public appearances, the powdered wig featured an elaborate design of curls and waves that was finished with a layer of white powder. While the use of the powdered wig declined dramatically in the 1800s, limited use of the device remained in some countries around the world, notably as part of proper dress for lawyers and Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom.
The process for creating a powdered wig often involved the use of frames. Basic materials typically included horsehair and various binding agents. The horsehair would be arranged and laid into a finished product that would stay in place even in a strong wind. To complete the basic look, the specially developed powder would be applied liberally to what was essentially a helmet made of horsehair.
In actual design, powdered wig style is often related to gender, purpose, and social position. White wigs for women in high society were often high piles of curls that were enhanced with elements such as bows, flower garlands, and even feathers. These types of wigs were considered ideal for presentation at a royal court, attendance at a formal ball, and other key social situations.
By contrast, a powdered wig for a man would often be a simple design. For use in social situations, the wig would include a design that was relatively close to the scalp and the shape of the skull, with a minimum of curling. A small amount of curl was normally extended at the nape of the neck and tied with a simple black ribbon. As with the more elaborate wigs designed for women, this simplistic design for the well-dressed man would be powdered liberally to achieve a white or almost white appearance.
The powdered wig designed for use in the courtroom was more elaborate. The wigs worn by lawyers and sometimes judges involve rows of curls that cover the head and sometimes hang down to the top of the shoulders. A similarly designed wig also became common in government settings, and remains popular in some countries today.
Wig makers of the day could spend weeks or even months designing a powdered wig. Under certain conditions, a wig could become infested during preparation. When an infestation did occur, the powdered horsehair would have to be thoroughly cleaned to remove vermin.
After around 1790, the broad appeal of the powdered wig began to wane. By the mid-19th century, the wig had disappeared from men’s use in social situations. Modified versions remained popular with polite society women for a time, but by the turn of the 20th century they were all but obsolete as a fashion accessory. Today, powdered wigs continue to be used in theatrical performances and in some legal and formal settings around the world, although advances in synthetics and dyes have replaced traditional methods of styling and styling wigs.
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