Outdated hygiene practices that are anything but clean

Nowadays, pearly white teeth are a sign you’re taking care of yourself. But back in the 16th century, blackened or rotten teeth were all the rage—because they showed you could afford to indulge in sugar. Back then, sugar was a seriously pricey luxury, and chowing down on it was a status symbol.

Queen Elizabeth I was famous for her gnarly teeth, and folks from the lower classes would even darken their own to try and copy her look. Talk about a bizarre twist on beauty standards that proves how far people will go to look like they’re part of the in-crowd.