Why Did Colonial Men Wear Wigs?
The Importance of Fashion, Prestige, and Baldness
Wigs were a fashionable trend in colonial America in the 18th century. The full-bottomed peruke, as Louis XIV is seen wearing above with its long flowing curls, was at its most popular in Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, but wigs decreased in size toward the end of the 18th century. The Founding Fathers are often seen wearing shorter wigs in the latter part of the 18th century.
Wigs were commonly made of human, yak, horse, or goat hair; human hair wigs were by far the most expensive.
Surprisingly, George Washington never wore a wig. He was one of five Presidents who had red hair and he powdered his hair white, as white hair was considered fashionable, and a sign of wealth and prestige. However, the next four US presidents did indeed wear wigs.
- 2nd President John Adams (1797–1801)
- 3rd President Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
- 4th President James Madison (1809–1817)
- 5th President James Monroe (1817–1825)
