Quote Originally Posted by Joel View Post
I read that Thomas Jefferson had red hair...not sure if he ever powdered it...and for some reason, I seriously I doubt that he ever wore a kilt... I think Ben Franklen had long hair...hmm...something to research... I also read that in several of the Commonwealth nations, they still use the powdered wigs in the courts. I believe Austrailia recently voted to quit using the wigs.
Jefferson was part of a "wave" (pardon the pun) of younger men in the late 18th c. who wanted a natural look. They didn't wear wigs (which were usually made from human hair, thanks to all the poor and convicted prisoners of the day), but did style their hair to look as if they were. Go figure.

The fashion was so successful, though, that wigs as everyday wear were gone among the fashionable by about 1800. French fashion of the day (of course!!) emphasized the common man, which, in turn, sparked an interest in both Great Britain and the USA toward styles which refected this for both clothing and hairdo's. The Revolution of 1796 also contriubted to this, as the wig was considered an aristocratic effect, thus courting a date with "Madame Guillotine."