Do you think wearing wigs is weird?

Xoxgossipgirl · 2023-12-15T14:40:21+00:00

My natural hair is quite short, about shoulder length. I wore clip in hair extensions for a while, then wore wigs for a little bit. I loved it, I haven’t had long hair since I was a lot younger, and while wearing wigs my hair got a lot healthier. Would you think it was weird if you noticed someone was wearing a wig, I wouldn’t try to pass it off as my natural hair if someone asked but I do get worried people will judge me. I know I shouldn’t care and I mostly don’t but part of me thinks what if people laugh about it! I’m 18, so maybe that changes things, which it shouldn’t but I just want people’s honest opinion.

Petrine · 15/12/2023 14:44

A lot of people wear wigs because they’ve lost their hair because of health issues or when undergoing chemo. I can’t imagine anyone thinking it odd that you’re wearing one.

Rinkymcdinky · 15/12/2023 14:45

Not at all.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/12/2023 14:52

When I was 18, a hundred years or so ago, men with toupees would get 'syrup' (of figs) in the street.

But the Kardahians and the like have made wigs for women mainstream.

BigMandsTattooPortfolio · 15/12/2023 15:02

We’ve worn wigs for much of our history as well as hairpieces. The wealthy Egyptians wore them as a sign of status, the Assyrians wore elaborate false beards, Elizabeth I popularised the wig for women, much of the 18th century saw the wig as commonplace, Victorian women would collect strands of their own hair in order to make into clip in pieces that would enhance the hairstyles of their day. So, I don’t think tŵice about it and think the wig is perfectly mainstream and acceptable in these times.

RobertaFirmino · 15/12/2023 15:49

No, why on earth would I think it was weird that someone was wearing a wig? In any case, if someone looks at you in your wig and thinks 'Eww, that's weird...' then they really aren't the sort of person whose opinions are worth worrying about.

Sopla · 15/12/2023 15:52

I’ve worn wigs for years because of hair loss, the only people who’ve ever commented are people that know me well enough to know I wear wigs (ooh is that one new type thing) I wouldn’t worry about people judging.

CharlottePimpernel · 15/12/2023 15:52

No not at all.

LeaveBritneyAlone · 15/12/2023 15:53

Not weird. A staple for many WOC.

I have shit (lank, fine, frizzled) hair and have been thinking for some time about investing in a wig

wherethewildthingsgo · 15/12/2023 15:54

I would find it a bit weird if someone wore a wig for a non-medical reason. I wouldn't find it in the slightest bit odd if the reason was medical. I can't put my finger on why I would find it odd particularly- I guess it's just not very common.

CatamaranViper · 15/12/2023 15:55

If I'd noticed, I'd probably wonder why, but I wouldn't ever say anything or ask as it's none of my business.

FreshWinterMorning · 15/12/2023 15:56

No of course not. I know about half a dozen women who wear them, for their own reasons. And it's shit-all to do with anyone else!

HelpMeUnpickThis · 15/12/2023 15:57

WOC here and have multiple wigs.

If someone was to find it weird because it’s not for medical reasons then that’s on them.

many of them look so natural now it would be hard for people to tell.

saamantha19881 · 15/12/2023 15:59

I'm very sorry, but I would assume you were recovering from chemo (not saying this is correct, as someone above said WOC often wear hair pieces- but for a non WOC I would assume through first instincts that you were ill and be too polite to ask)

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 15/12/2023 16:01

Wigs are generally so good that you can’t tell unless you know why the person looks like without one. The days of the Lego style wig are history.

WashItTomorrow · 15/12/2023 16:03

I know lots of people who wear wigs and I really couldn’t tell. At first, I thought they were just very well groomed with lovely hair.

CurlewKate · 15/12/2023 16:05

If I didn't know you and noticed I'd probably assume you had a medical or religious reason, but I wouldn't then give it another thought.

Ploctopus · 15/12/2023 16:14

Not at all, it’s much more common now (popularised by lots of celebrities and influencers!).

It’s something a lot of black women have done for a long time - gives endless freedom in terms of length, style and colour without damaging the hair. And modern wigs are so good it’s generally almost impossible to tell someone is wearing a wig without really looking.

Westfacing · 15/12/2023 16:29

It's not weird, but I wouldn't wear a wig unless I had to because of hair loss - I can barely wear a hat without feeling itchy and claustrophobic, never mind a wig!

zingally · 15/12/2023 16:32

I wouldn't really think anything of it tbh.

The only women I ever knew who wore them though, were two older ladies - nearing retirement age - who I worked with in my early 20s. Took me a LONG time to realise though, and was never close enough to either of them to ask why.

DinoDays · 15/12/2023 16:36

wherethewildthingsgo · 15/12/2023 15:54

I would find it a bit weird if someone wore a wig for a non-medical reason. I wouldn't find it in the slightest bit odd if the reason was medical. I can't put my finger on why I would find it odd particularly- I guess it's just not very common.

How do you know it's not common!?

SylvieLaufeydottir · 15/12/2023 16:41

wherethewildthingsgo · 15/12/2023 15:54

I would find it a bit weird if someone wore a wig for a non-medical reason. I wouldn't find it in the slightest bit odd if the reason was medical. I can't put my finger on why I would find it odd particularly- I guess it's just not very common.

Tell me you're white without telling me you're white.

Wearing them is wayyyy more work than I could ever be arsed with, but I know perfectly well that many of the women around me are wearing wigs or hairpieces and I neither know nor care who. As PP note, WOC have been wearing them for yonks.

itsmyp4rty · 15/12/2023 16:50

I can't think of a reason why anyone would have a problem with someone wearing a wig. It has no impact on anyone else. The word 'wig' though is such an awful word!

Newsenmum · 15/12/2023 16:51

Absolutely not and let’s normalise it. And yes very normal if you’re not white.

ManateeFair · 15/12/2023 16:55

saamantha19881 · 15/12/2023 15:59

I'm very sorry, but I would assume you were recovering from chemo (not saying this is correct, as someone above said WOC often wear hair pieces- but for a non WOC I would assume through first instincts that you were ill and be too polite to ask)

You'd only think that if you actually noticed she was wearing a wig. Most wigs these days are not obvious. I guarantee you that you definitely walk past people who wear wigs a lot more often than you actually notice.

OP, it's totally fine. My friend has very thin hair caused by a medical issue and she wears wigs a lot. She has loads and she looks amazing in them. I obviously know they're wigs because I see her with different colour/style hair from one day to the next! But if you sat next to her on the bus and didn't know her you'd have no idea it wasn't her real hair.

Wigs and hairpieces are miles more prevalent now as accessories than they used to be. Obviously Black women have always used them a lot, but they're definitely becoming more popular with white women now too.

lto2019 · 15/12/2023 17:02

Moira Rose is my hero and although a comedy really highlighted how much you can change your look with one. If I had the money I might get some good ones - I wouldn't care less what any one else thinks - if you like them - go for it.