As I was going through my collection of wigs the other day, it got me thinking about how styles have changed over the years. Wigs have such a long and interesting history, and it’s been fascinating to see the different trends that have come and gone. I wanted to share my perspective on the evolution of wigs from a wearer’s point of view. Hopefully reliving some of these memories and styles will bring back some fun moments from the past.
The Excess of the 80s
When I was growing up in the 80s and 90s, wigs were really coming into their own as a fashionable accessory rather than just something worn for medical reasons. Synthetic fibers had gotten so good that wigs looked almost as natural as human hair. Some of the biggest trends back then were big, big hairstyles. Think teased bangs, hair sprayed sky-high poufs and masses of curls. My favorite wig from that era was my JALIZA – it was a short curly bob cut with thick bangs that swooped across my forehead. That wig was so bouncy and full of volume, it perfectly captured the playful excess of 80s styles. I wore it paired with neon leg warmers, oversized sweaters and acid washed jeans for a quintessential look of the time.
The Excess of the 80s
The 90s brought grunge and a more low-maintenance aesthetic. Wigs shifted to emphasize natural styles, often with messy layers and beachy waves rather than lots of teasing and hairspray. A perennial favorite from that decade is still my collection of uBraids wigs – they have gorgeous, believable-looking braids in a variety of lengths and partings. I loved pairing those wigs with flannel shirts, doc martens and ripped jeans for a laidback Seattle grunge vibe. It was such a breath of fresh air to have wigs that didn’t require high-maintenance curled or teased styles. You could just throw the braids on and go, whether to class or a concert in the park.
Polished Perfection in the 2000s
As we moved into the new millennium, straight and sleek styles came back in a big way. Think sleek bobs with a sharply angled cut and glossy, pin-straight strands. My favorite wig from this era was my Bobrina – a micro-bob cut so short and precise, it framed my face in crisp lines. I loved how powerful and polished it made me feel, paired with pencil skirts, fitted blazers and pointy toe pumps. It was the perfect wig for smashing the glass ceiling in business meetings or cocktail parties. While bobs never really went out of style, the 2000s certainly saw an emphasis on razor-sharp edges and flawless smoothing serum-slicked hair. A timeless look that has continued finding new life even today.
Colorful Experimentation of the 2010s
The 2010s explosion of Instagram brought all sorts of whimsical and colorful trends to both human hair and wigs. Ombre and rainbow hair in every hue of the rainbow gained mass popularity. My wigs from this decade run the gamut, from mermaid-inspired curls dyed a deep ocean blue, to wigs with half shaved undercuts sporting neon green on one side. Textures also became much more playful and mixed – think wigs with thick dreadlocks on top fading into flowing waves at the bottom. It was really fun and liberating breaking out of the traditional “one haircut, one color” rules with wigs. They let me experiment with color and length in low-commitment ways.
Sustainable Styles
Sustainability has also become a bigger focus in wigs over the past few years. More eco-friendly fibers like mulberry silk and faux lambswool have emerged, as has upcycling previously worn wigs into new styles. I especially love how versatile my upcycled wigs are – I’ve cut them into bobs, braids or mushroom cuts using the same hair in new configurations. It feels good to extend the life of the materials while getting new looks. Lower waste and eco packaging has also become a bigger emphasis from leading wig brands.
Protective Styles Trends
Today, it seems like wigs are reflecting a lot of natural hair movement trends too, with big emphasis on protective styles like braids, twists and locs. Faux locs made with micro rings look incredibly believable these days. Textured wigs in every curl pattern under the sun have proliferated – from tight coily curls to loose beach waves. I foresee those natural textures and protective styles remaining major trends in the future of wigs as people want low manipulation options that are gentle on natural hair beneath.
