Why did people wear powdered wigs?

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Stephanie H. Smith |

TED-Ed

• August 2024

Wigs date at least as far back as ancient Egypt, where well-regarded hairdressers crafted them into intricate styles. And under certain ancient Roman dynasties, women’s wigs became particularly ornate. Yet it wasn’t until Louis XIII unveiled a magnificent mane in the 17th century that big wigs truly began booming. Stephanie Honchell Smith details the rise and fall of the bewigged fashion craze. [Directed by Patrick Smith, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Stephen LaRosa].