Wigs or periwigs and perukes began to be used in Europe circa the 17th
century, made of human hair. Later, perukes were worn made of horse or
goat hair. The use of perukes became a fad, the fibers colored white,
gray, blue and pink, often scented as well. Although male professional
or titled aristrocrats typically wore wigs, women wore wigs as well. In
fact, women's wigs used in the French court became an extreme fad, that
soon became an object of derision. Women's wigs contained living birds,
models of ships, etc. and were
unweildly, even a danger (fire). Men's wigs could be
long, passing in
length beyond the shoulders onto the chest, but later became shorter,
not extending beyond the
neck, shorter
still, just covering the
head (often with a
queue and bow). Wigs (periwigs or perukes) showed status and class membership
and were used by
judges,
and
barristers,
ecclesiastical persons,
military officers, as well as "fashionable" people such as
"
macaronis" and
others.