Where to Obtain PATRIOT Style WIGS for the 4th of July.

History in the Making ^ | FR Post 6-8-2 | VANNROX POST

[vannrox]

INTRODUCTION:

Many Patriots and FReepers just simply blend in with the crowd during rallies and other patriotic events. I have often wondered what could be done to seperate the "real" Patriots from the typical American. After much deliberation I cam to the conclusion of, Yes that's right, traditional Patriotic wigs.

You can look like Mel Gibson in "The Patriot", or like George Washington. I have tried it. On first analysis you feel awkward and strange, but I'll tell you this, when I wear the wig, it seems that my statements become all the more believed. It must be some mental or emotional mechanism at work.

There are a number of sites that can provide these kinds of traditional wigs. I would like to recommend but one, perhaps there are other sites that FREEPERS may want to visit. This site is called "History in the Making" and it specializes in costumes and equipment from Colonial times.

Some recommendations:

1720-1760 MILITARY and CIVILIAN WIG - ENGLISH


1700-1725 EARLY AMERICAN


1775 - 1795 CIVILIAN - AMERICAN

1700 - 1725 MILITARY and CIVILIAN - FRENCH OFFICER

YOU MIGHT WANT TO BUY THIS WIG FOR SOME OF YOUR LIBERAL FRIENDS:

1700-1795 MILITARY - FRENCH

[vannrox]

Enjoy. Check out the items.

[MotleyGirl70]

1700-1795 MILITARY - FRENCH

I should get one of those for the liberal neighbor down the block. I would put it on his doorstep, ring the bell and run.

[vannrox]

A nice bump for comments.

[Yardstick]

On first analysis you feel awkward and strange, but I'll tell you this, when I wear the wig, it seems that my statements become all the more believed.

LOL yes, I imagine so, especially if you speak with a Founding-Fathers-esque tone and inflection. An 18th-century wig gives its wearer an instant credibility exceeded only by flowing robes and a Moses beard.

[knighthawk]

I would like the George Washington look!

[lowbridge]

You can look like Mel Gibson in "The Patriot", or like George Washington. I have tried it.

[Pharmboy]

Whew! I'm sure I would look and feel great in one of those, but the prices are a bit steep. If you click here you can find a nice tricorn for $30 or a complete colonial outfit for about $250.

Thanks for the ping and best to you.

[Miss Marple]

The Marples, suitably attired. LOL!

[rwfromkansas]

Looks like fun. I am kind of wacky...I would like to wear a Puritan-like costume...I admire the Puritans despite their faults.

[MeekOneGOP]

Hmm? Weren't the Wigs a political party at one time?
Oh, that was Whigs......sorry! lol!

[MeekOneGOP]

LOL! And who's yer friend there, Miss Marple??

[Miss Marple]

Of course, that is Mister Marple, looking quite spiffy, I must say. :-)

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

"Professionally speaking", these wigs are WAY too expensive. It is not terribly diffcult to obtain a conventional wig, and dress it tolerably well -- not as good as the wigmaker at Williamsburg, but good enough for government work.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that you should avoid getting a wig with bangs on the front. Hair was ALWAYS brushed back during the period. So, get a wig for no more than about $40 at Ye Olde 'ho' Shoppe.

First, brush out the wig so that the hairs are free of tangles and quite straight. Now thoroughly lard the fibres with an extremely stiff mousse (as is used by the young'uns to spike their hair). (N.B., this was originally done with lard, for the lower classes, or pomade, for their betters). This treatment should be done to the sides and top especially, but is not to be done to the hairs that will constitute the queue.

Separate the hairs into three parts: on each side of the head, at the temple, brush the hairs straight down. The third, or central section, which will consist of most of the remaining hairs of the wig, is brushed straight back. Depending on what you wish to portray, the queue is now either braided, or wrapped in grosgrain ribbon. Contrary to what the illustrations portray, the French military often wrapped the queue, as did Americans who were following von Steuben's lead. The British ordinarily did not, but braided the hair and then "clubbed" it -- held to the back of the head (underneath the hat or cap) with a comb, rather than allowed to fall free.

After the bulk of the wig has been properly queued, it is now time to address the issue of the side curls. These can be either horizontally oriented, or vertically. The latter is more common among the European military. If you wish to be really obscure, you can braid the side-locks in the Hungarian manner. If you are more mainstream, horizontal is best.

For forming the curls, do not use modern plastic curlers because they will yield curls that are much too large. For a single curl, something about the size of a roll of quarters is good. For multiple curls, something the size of a roll of dimes. Originally, rollers were made from clay, but for our purposes a hollow metal or plastic roller is superior. A cigar tube works well.

If two or more curls per side are intended, carefully separate the hairs by horizontal level (you will note that the hairs on the side of the wig are already attached in layers, so this is much simpler than it sounds). Using hairpins to keep the "extra" hairs out of the way, roll up the bottom curl first. It should come to around the base of the ear. use hair pins to keep it in place and remove the curler. Now do the next curl up, made from the "extra" hairs.

When making several curls per side, remember that a hat will ordinarily be worn, so the top of the curls should probably not be higher than the top of the ear.

After the whole thing is done, it may be dusted with flour (to be accurate) or white talcum powder (to be sanitary).

[MeekOneGOP]

Ah, but of course. Such a lovely couple!

[Commander8]

I wouldn't wear a wig, but I always wanted a tricorner.