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.

When did wigs become fashionable?

From around 1730 the toupee became fashionable, worn with the wearer's own hair mingled in with the fake hair. Hair powder continued to be used until 1795 when a tax was imposed on it. By the 19th century men had almost ceased to wear wigs and they began to wear their hair short.

Why did they wear wigs in the 1700?

The concept of the powdered wig emerged in France the mid 17th century. King Louis XIII was the man first responsible for the trend, as he wore a wig (original called "periwig") to cover his premature balding. ... To combat the unfortunate odor and unwanted parasites, the wig-wearer would "powder" his wig.