Tie-Wig. Bob-Wig. Bag-Wig. Periwig. Queue. Chiving Lay. Solitaire. Macaroni. Sunday Buckle. (Part One).

A Gentleman’s Wig.

Text and Illustrations: GERI WALTON

Of all the fashions of the 1700s, perhaps the Wig most resembles “character of that period, embodying the artificiality, the mixture of dignity and affectation, and the pompous conventionality.”[1]

The Wig did not suddenly appear overnight, but rather grew into popularity, until, at one point, Wigs were so fashionable, that, if you wore your own hair, you tried to make it appear as if it were a Wig.

During Louis XIV’s reign, big flowing Wigs were popular, but, towards the end of Louis XV’s reign in 1774, smaller Wigs became fashionable, until even they disappeared.

Many of the Wigs that gentlemen wore were created from real human hair, and it was common for fashionable Beaus to keep their Wig looking perfect, by carrying in their side pocket “a Tortoiseshell Wig-Comb … for constant use.”[2]

It also became common for people to sell their hair to earn extra money. In fact, at one point, real hair became worth so much, people who had long flowing locks were sometimes threatened or attacked for their hair.

In the 1700s, all sorts of Wigs came in and out of fashion. Among the fashionable Wigs of the times were three:

The Tie-Wig, also known as The Ramillies (sometimes spelled Ramilies) Wig;

The Bob-Wig;

The Bag-Wig.

Tie-Wigs became popular during Queen Anne’s reign, but they were not a Wig that was at first considered full dress.

They acquired their name because the Wig’s curls were tied up, or the Wig was tied to the head. Lord Bolingbroke, an English politician, government official, and leader of the Tories, was among the first to wear and popularise the Wig in England. He created a great scandal, when after being hastily summoned to see The Queen, he appeared in his Tie Wig.

“This Wig had a plaited tail, tied at the top with a large ribbon bow, and at the bottom with a smaller one. The Queen remarked that she supposed, next time, Lord Bolingbroke would come in his night-cap.”[3]

PART TWO FOLLOWS.