Why Did Men Stop Wearing Wigs?

[@natmorse-noland9133]

Just a minor correction - when people powdered their natural hair, they weren't trying to pass it off as a wig for status; that's just how people kept their hair clean back then. The powder was basically a dry shampoo that absorbed the oils of the scalp.

[@Shum-man]

It began because of syphilis, which caused sores in the scalp. The royals wore them because they caught this disease and had to cover them. Then people thought it was just cool

[@sptownsend999]

I'm curious about the wigs they used in the movie _Amadeus_ -- specifically Mozart's wig. In the scene where he is choosing his wig, he eventually selects one with a pink-ish hue. I imagine the cinematic reason was to help the audience visually differentiate the main character, but did blue and pink hued wigs actually exist alongside the white/grey?

[@PresidentialHP]

Yes, they did.

[@seansimmons73]

According to Wikipedia, the powders they put in the wigs could have a blue or pink color as well as the silver/grey that was the most common. Modern off white hats, called silverbelly's are dusted by a powder to give them their color. I wonder if it's the same 🤔

[@gentlemansgazette]

In our research, we found that lavender was often added to the wig powder to assist in covering odors. This had the side effect of providing a distinct hue to the wigs, too

[@ryanmckenzie5918]

Wait wait -- why is the wig not listed in the "shop the video" section?!

[@gentlemansgazette]

😂

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Enjoyable video, though I half expected you to tell us that wigs were now available at Fort Belvedere. And I'm really surprised that you missed the resurgence of big wigs( ala the Kings Louis) in the 1980s, though this fashion was chiefly restricted to electric guitar rock bands.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*AM I THE ONLY ONE* who thinks Preston looked GREAT in that wig...??

[@DonTitoNYC]

I agree

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@DonTitoNYC he totally looked the part didnt he

[@b_ziv]

I mean the wig is ok but doesn't go with the outfit. Maybe if he had something more formal it would be better.

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@b_ziv I agree - but I was sup[rised that he didnt just look an idiot.

[@Linusgump]

@@piccalillipit9211preston never looks like an idiot. Rafael on the other hand, can make himself look downright foolish when he wants to. 😂

[@siegfriedo]

Never knew that the Czech word "paruka", that we use to designate wigs, came from the Italian "parrucca"! I always learn something new here. 👍

[@cameronshackelford5551]

Off topic, but I’d love you see you all do a review of a suit by Tweedmaker. I’ve been looking into them for some time now and haven’t been able to find a good unbiased review. Thanks!

[@Fush1234]

What a fabulous start to a vid…. Bravo. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🥂

[@jetsons101]

This was a great watch, as well as being a history lesson. Preston, this has a Perfect humor to information ratio........

[@gentlemansgazette]

So pleased to hear that you enjoyed it!

[@jetsons101]

Your channel is a joy to watch while I build models, like I said, "A perfect humor to information ratio."@@gentlemansgazette

[@gunlimitedammo3888]

Very glad to see you guys covering more arcane articles again

[@JosephMoore-gc8me]

Preston: Related comment here, but really digging your quarter zip sweater, which gives me an idea for a future article/video GG could cover, namely, quarter zip pullover garments as the new quasi-Swiss Army knife of the menswear world. Depending on the fabric and design, they're versatile as (1) street wear (gym/sports), (2) smart casual, and even (3) business casual (depending on the industry), but obviously not business formal. For example, I've noticed in the political and tech industries that the quarter zip, when paired with jeans/slacks and either a polo or oxford button shirt (no tie) is becoming a very commonplace amongst elected officials/political candidates when doing events like daytime meet-and-greets, rallies, and other fun celebrations. They can even be worn at disaster relief events. I personally think it's the elite garment for looking professional but not overly formal. Just a thought. Great video.

[@Wm.Lidgett]

it is interesting how wigs for men declined as the interest and an incline of women wearing wigs, it is also interesting that many of the fashions that woman came to adopt were once worn by men, ie wigs, makeup, high heels shoes etc

[@Alberad08]

Really loved this - interesting to know about things that where worn in the past!

[@spaghettiking7312]

Well, they're still worn in certain legal professions. But the Dandy movement and Neo-Classicism in the late 18th Century, along with the French Revolution, all came together to remove the wigs from popularity in only a generation. Some old chaps, such as the interesting Martin Ruth of Oxford, continued wearing wigs until the mid 19th Century. The wigs and the powdered hair look certainly are one of Western culture's most distinct fashions, so peculiar that even we today, only a few generations separated from them, are completely baffled by them.

[@leamacleod5903]

Learned so much as usual.

[@gecfes]

Why is the jazzy intro gone?! 😭 (Also great video as per usual, you guys are invaluable helpers for todays gentlemen)

[@gentlemansgazette]

Our theme is still a part of our videos! 😉

[@gecfes]

@@gentlemansgazette That's a relief! Obviously there's no problem with trying new intros.

[@briankelley987]

If you want a gimme idea for a video: make a "Preston Puns Best of 2023." Keep working on that badge and sfx, but once you have it, it will be evergreen.

[@mikehoare6093]

wigs are awesome as are fashion statements from those days !

[@gustavocamposhc]

This is a good them for videos, I know it's not the focus of the channel, but... for a secondary topic... like sporadic videos about men's fashion styles from past centuries, like the 17th/18th centuries, just for fun. ..

[@barika7777]

Excellent video

[@lazarpavasovic9865]

No but seriously Preston can pull of a wig

[@atorasucodm8930]

Hi gentlemen, Got a problem here styling a dark navy suit for a Christmas party which after 2 days... Should I wear a white bowtie or a maroon bowtie with a maroon vest coat? Thanks...

[@fredo1070]

2:36 that is Charles I he had his head cut off by Oliver Cromwell.

[@CodyWright-pq3eq]

I love the powdered wigs. Would love to be able to wear them nowadays.

[@shahancheong9792]

Another reason wigs died out is because of taxation. In the 1700s, the UK taxed wig-powder through the roof, to pay for things like the war with its American Colonies, etc. As a result, it became far too expensive to buy the powder to clean and style the wig, so there was no point in buying the wig to begin with. Nobody buys a car when they can't afford the fuel to run it, basically. By the time the taxes were repealed, the enormous cost of maintaining a wig had killed it off as a fashion-accessory and nobody wanted to wear them anymore.

[@random_321]

rank the tom ford fragrances

[@jec1ny]

In 1795 the British government, desperate for money to fund its perennial war with revolutionary France, levied a tax of a guinea per annum for the use of hair powder and wigs. It drastically accelerated the demise of wigs which were already becoming unpopular among the younger generation.

[@YosefSmith-hp5hg]

Hello all :) could Preston please sing let it snow this year for us ? Greetings from Germany 🫶

[@CharlesjNWH]

Preston looks awesome with the wig and short beard. I would vote for him.

[@19.-ke2ld]

Another major reason for the wig's decline in fashion in Great Britain was the imposition of the hair powder tax by William Pitt in 1795. William Pitt, the Younger, implemented various taxes during his time as Prime Minister of Great Britain, including the hair powder tax. During the 1790s, Britain was embroiled in wars, particularly with France during the French Revolutionary Wars from 1792 to 1802, of which was financially draining for the British government, necessitating the generation of additional revenue to fund the military and other state expenses. The hair powder tax was one of the measures introduced by Pitt's government to raise funds. It targeted a specific luxury item predominantly used by the wealthy and aristocratic classes. Powdered wigs and hair powder were fashionable amongst the elite, and by imposing a tax on their usage, Pitt sought to generate revenue from those of whom could afford such indulgences.

[@kttk4564]

I had to wear one for some months when I was 20. Looked better than being bald by a mile.

[@valariebrown3768]

Ya'll need to go see Abby Cox's video on powder and pomade hair care during the 18th century and bust some of these myths, please. Wigs were, are, and always will be part of fashion in one way or another. From covering baldness caused by illness to preserving modesty for religious folk to cosplay, long live the wig.

[@TheoTheTimeTravelingMagician]

4:48 that image on the left is one of the most hard to notice but terrifying ai images I’ve seen

[@VintageLover546]

Should a 15 - 16 year old men wear a tailcoat for the end of highscool

[@GuyFierisShirt]

No, sportsjacket is good though. No full suit either, too formal.

[@Judah98]

Only Preston can pull off wearing that wig. 😂😂😆🤣

[@AnthonyZboralski]

You use too much stock footage :(

[@AronPeters]

Is it just me? With your slightly longer hair, along with your facial hair, you resemble Seann William Scott.

[@TBP-st3bn]

Um...I spent several years in tribute bands, wearing wigs.

[@Soulute367]

"Ven vill you vear vigs"

[@dfcvda]

my girlfriend still wears one at work.

[@Harry.117]

ayo preston about make a countrt

[@mr.atomic2970]

I will soon wear a wig when i do my Hair removal .

[@douglasdietz7503]

TMI

[@millennial8441]

Because of French Revolution.

[@Hannover_zur_Ehr]

I think wigs looked awesome

[@fordrac1ng81]

Do you wear wigs? Have you worn wigs? Will you wear wigs? When will you wear wigs?

[@gentlemansgazette]

Why will you wear wigs..?

[@wordscapes5690]

I think they stopped wearing wigs because too many of them ended up in the bottom of a basket during the French Revolution.

[@HermanVonPetri]

Robespierre was really just a strongly opinionated fashion critic. And Napoleon didn't want to bring back big wigs, just big hats.

[@desiderium3243]

Fire hazard

[@robertostefanowicz9749]

The whole video could be 8 sec. They don’t have lice. That’s it.

[@elstevobevo]

I feel like this could have been a 10 second video.

[@Greta-h7j5w]

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, especially in this video. How old was the researcher? 5 years of age. Everything changed owing to the French Revolution, not the Enlightenment, which happened in the previous century. Anything associated with the old regiment was abandoned, from color to the types of fabric (silk went out and boiled wool came in). Failure to do so meant an appointment with Madame Guillotine. This is the route of modern men’s dress. In the name of GOD find someone who knows their history!

[@derlachendevagabund7942]

I don't really care about the reasons, the main thing is that they HAVE stopped😉

[@dapperdan9573]

Humor is not your strongest point

[@leijten]

Could've used "strong suit" and made a pun out of it. Seeing your comment, having no sense of humour seems apt so I guess your comment fits your style.

[@nonnobis2232]

​@@leijtena gentleman is not a pedant.

[@veziculorile]

he has the aspie pass yo

[@dapperdan9573]

@@leijten thanks for commenting

[@dapperdan9573]

@@veziculorile thanks for commenting

[@LatimusChadimus]

Gross lol

[@veziculorile]

Smoke some cannabis and loosen up a little