Why did men powder their wigs in the 1700's? like what are some specific reasons...?

Question

ive heard it helped hide the odor and things like that, but can anyone share what they know?

thanks!

Answer 1

They didn't unless they were lawyers or politicians.

It was a fad.

Answer 2

It was to make it the right color and for the odor.

[Quote]

In the 18th century, both men and women's wigs were powdered in order to give them their distinctive white or off-white color. Wig powder was made from finely ground starch that was scented with orange flower, lavender, or orris root. Wig powder was occasionally colored violet, blue, pink or yellow, but was most often used as white. Powdered wigs became an essential for full dress occasions and continued in use until almost the end of the 18th century. Powdering wigs was messy and inconvenient and the development of the naturally white or off-white powderless wig (made of horsehair) is no doubt what has made the retention of wigs in everyday court dress a practical possibility. By the 1780s, young men were setting a fashion trend by lightly powdering their natural hair. After 1790, both wigs and powder were reserved for older more conservative men, and were in use by ladies being presented at court. In 1795, the English government levied a tax of hair powder of one guinea per year. This tax effectively caused the demise of both the fashion for wigs and powder by 1800.

[End Quote]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wig_(hair)