One cannot discuss the Georgian Era without mentioning powdered wigs. Powdered wigs, sometimes called perukes, were worn by men and women during the Georgian Era. The sizes and styles varied, depending on a variety of factors (social status, location, year).
Nowadays, the majority of people that know of powdered wigs are not fond of them in the slightest. They’ve been called ugly, weird, and plenty of other rude terms. Wigs are typically worn by women now, and they are very different in appearance to the peruke. Bright and unnatural colored wigs are the most popular now, contrary to the shades of white and natural colors that were worn in the 18th century.
My hypothesis as to why we now view powdered wigs so negatively is that they were often worn by men, they were curled in a unique way, and they usually work with a ribbon in a ponytail. The most common hairstyle you’ll see on a man now is short, there are many ways that short hair can look and be styled, but long hair on men is not as common as it once was. We are no longer used to seeing men in somewhat “feminine” attire, and when we do (as a society) we judge them for it.
It is my hope that powdered wigs will eventually be viewed in a more positive light, and hopefully even be seen as fashionable once again.
