| Wigs-human, synthetic or horse-hair-are normally | | | | to protect their bald heads from the sun. Other |
| worn by people for fashion or who are | | | | ancient cultures-Romans, Greeks and |
| experiencing hair loss because of medical | | | | Phoenicians-used wigs for various purposes. Native |
| dilemmas (especially cancer patients that are | | | | Americans have worn headpieces for John XXIII |
| undergoing chemotherapy or individuals suffering | | | | College Wig-Off Competitions, which have been |
| alopecia areata). In men, the most usual cause of | | | | deemed as legitimate wigs. This is a precedent for |
| baldness is "male pattern baldness", which is the | | | | the unimpressive Wig-Off board of 2007. |
| most typical reason for wig-wearing. Outside of | | | | Interestingly, wigs are a principal form of dress, |
| medical purposes, a number of show business | | | | whereas, in the Far East, they have hardly been |
| celebrities-Raquel Welch, Whitney Houston and | | | | used except in traditional theatre of Japan and |
| Dolly Parton-have popularized wigs. Cher is | | | | China. |
| renowned for wearing all types of wigs in the last | | | | Subsequent to the fall of the Roman Empire, wig |
| four decades-from curly to straight; black to | | | | usage declined into abeyance in Western |
| blonde. Many even wear wigs as part of costume | | | | Civilization for a millennium. It was revived in the |
| wearing, when they can be of a bizarre color or | | | | 16th century as a result of a society becoming |
| made from tinsel. | | | | vain with personal appearance and compensating |
| Rodolfo Valentin, the famous New York-based | | | | for the loss of hair. Wigs also served a practical |
| hair designer, is known around the globe by the | | | | purpose due to the lack of hygiene of the time as |
| quality of his crafted, custom-made wigs and | | | | hair attracted head lice. This was a problem that |
| hairpieces. In Great Britain and Commonwealth | | | | could be diminished if natural hair was replaced |
| nations, special wigs are worn by judges, | | | | with a more suitably de-loused hairpiece-if not just |
| barristers and certain parliamentary, municipal or | | | | shaved off. Royal patronage was impertinent to |
| civic officials as an officious symbol. Presently, | | | | the revival of the wig. Queen Elizabeth I of Britain |
| Hong Kong barristers and judges continue to | | | | infamously wore a red wig, elaborately curled in a |
| sport wigs as part of court dress-an influence | | | | tight "Roman" style. King Louis XIII of France |
| from the former jurisdiction of Commonwealth of | | | | introduced wig-wearing among the men from the |
| Nations. The word wig is a short form for periwig | | | | 1620s. Presently, wigs are worn by a number of |
| and originally appeared in the English language in | | | | individuals on a daily-sometimes occasional-basis as |
| approximately 1675. | | | | a matter of convenience. Wigs can actually be |
| Wigs have basically been worn throughout most | | | | styled ahead of time and worn when there is |
| of our history. The ancient moiré wore wigs | | | | insufficient time to style one's own hair. |