Outdated hygiene practices that are anything but clean

Wigs became all the rage back in the day ’cause syphilis was running rampant.

In the 16th century, syphilis was spreading like wildfire through England, causing all sorts of nasty symptoms: sores, dementia, blindness, and, notably, hair loss. Going bald became a real embarrassment, so a lot of folks started wearing wigs to cover it up in a classy way. Even King Louis XIV jumped on the bandwagon, hiring a whole crew of wigmakers to keep his collection of fancy wigs looking sharp.

Over time, wigs went from being a medical fix to a status symbol, showing off your wealth and class. They were often made from human hair, though horse or goat hair was used too. What started as a way to deal with a disease turned into a high-society fashion statement, worn with pride.