Why Do British Lawyers Still Wear Wigs?
people.howstuffworks.com
In the late 17th century, wearing wigs became a common practice in law. But why has it endured for so long?
  • delirious_owl@discuss.onlineEnglish
    29·
    4 months ago

    Wigs are so much a part of British criminal courts that if a barrister doesn’t wear one, it’s seen as an insult to the court.
    …
    Most are handmade from 100 percent horsehair, though there are synthetic versions available today, too. Horsehair wigs aren’t cheap, either, especially when they’re handmade and combine an ages-old craft of styling, sewing and gluing. A judge’s full-length wig can cost more than $3,000
    …
    Those who couldn’t afford the best garb but wanted to look the part wore wigs made of hair from goats, spooled cotton or from the hair of human corpses

    This is the stupidest and most disgusting thing I’ve read today, thanks.

    • lud@lemm.eeEnglish
      5·
      3 months ago

      Hair is already dead and animal hair (can’t remember which animal) is also used for the best brushes used for painting. IMO as long as the hair is washed which it obviously is, it’s not really disgusting.

      • Cypher@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        3 months ago

        The Siberian Weasel’s hair is used in kolinsky sable brushes for water colour, and sometimes acrylic painting.

        • lud@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          3 months ago

          Again, hair is dead.

          And honestly if you are referring to the animals (which you are, otherwise you wouldn’t say “beings”) they likely wouldn’t have been born in the first place if humans didn’t like their hair.

            • lud@lemm.eeEnglish
              3·
              3 months ago

              Yeah no shit Sherlock. That has nothing to do with taking the hair of dead people though.

              If I’m dead you can take whatever part you want and use it for medical purposes or wigs I guess. I don’t really care, because I would be fucking dead.