Vocabulary Analysis (B2 Level)
- Crisis – A time of intense difficulty or danger.
- Symbolize – To represent or stand for something.
- Unveiled – Revealed or showed publicly.
- Balding – Losing hair, becoming bald.
- Ornate – Highly decorated or detailed.
- Austerity – Strictness or seriousness.
- Augment – To increase or add to something.
- Effigy – A model or sculpture of a person.
- Booming – Growing rapidly.
- Aristocrats – Wealthy and powerful people in society.
- Accentuated – Made more noticeable or prominent.
- Convenient – Easy to use or suitable.
- Colonial empire – A group of territories ruled by a single country.
- Merchandise – Goods that are bought and sold.
- Fabricated – Made or created.
- Adorned – Decorated or made attractive.
- Frivolously – In a silly or unnecessary way.
- Flamboyant – Showy or attention-grabbing.
- Backlash – A strong negative reaction.
- Decadence – Excessive luxury or self-indulgence.
Summary Of the Video
In 1624, King Louis XIII of France started a major fashion trend by wearing a large wig to cover his baldness. Wigs became very popular, especially with rich and powerful people. Earlier, wigs had been worn in ancient Egypt and Rome for various reasons, but they truly gained popularity in Europe under Louis XIII and his son, Louis XIV. Wigs were made from human hair or materials like wool and horsehair, and they were decorated with powders and perfumes. However, by the late 1700s, people began to criticize wigs, especially during the French Revolution, because they represented the wealthy. Eventually, wigs went out of style and were no longer popular.
Comprehensive Questions:
- Why did King Louis XIII start wearing a wig, and what impact did it have on fashion?
- How did wigs evolve from the time of ancient Egypt to the 1600s in Europe?
- What materials were used to make wigs, and how were they maintained?
- How did wigs change in appearance during the mid-1700s, and how were they perceived by some?
- Why did wigs fall out of fashion by the end of the 1700s?
Question: Why did King Louis XIII start wearing a wig, and what impact did it have on fashion?
Answer: King Louis XIII started wearing a wig because he was balding and did not want people to notice. His decision to wear a full wig sparked a 150-year fashion trend, particularly among aristocrats and members of his court, who followed his lead.
Question: How did wigs evolve from the time of ancient Egypt to the 1600s in Europe?
Answer: In ancient Egypt, wigs were worn for hygiene and style, and they were intricately made by skilled hairdressers. During the Roman Empire, wigs became more elaborate, especially for women. However, in the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church discouraged wig-wearing in Europe. By the 1500s, wigs became acceptable again, especially under the influence of royalty like Queen Elizabeth I and later King Louis XIII.
Question: What materials were used to make wigs, and how were they maintained?
Answer: Wigs were often made from human hair, likely sourced from poor women, or cheaper materials like wool or horsehair. To maintain them, people used perfumed powders made from flour, chalk, and aromatics such as violet, rose, clove, and lemon to clean them, eliminate odors, and absorb sweat.
Question: How did wigs change in appearance during the mid-1700s, and how were they perceived by some?
Answer: In the mid-1700s, men's wigs became simpler, often with curls around the face and a ponytail at the back. Meanwhile, women's wigs grew taller, sometimes reaching up to a meter in height, and were decorated with various accessories. Caricaturists mocked big wig-wearers, portraying them as excessively flamboyant.
Question: Why did wigs fall out of fashion by the end of the 1700s?
Answer: Wigs fell out of fashion due to a growing backlash against aristocratic decadence, especially during the French Revolution when flour-powdered wigs were seen as wasteful. Additionally, in 1795, England passed a "powder tax," which led many people to stop wearing wigs.
General Conversation Questions:
- Have you ever worn a wig, either for a costume or everyday use? What was your experience like?
- Do you enjoy learning about historical fashion trends, like wigs? Why or why not?
- Have you ever been part of a fashion trend that became very popular? What was it?
- How do you take care of your hair or maintain a personal style? Do you follow any particular routines?
- Have you ever had a bad hair day that affected your confidence or mood? How did you deal with it?
Question: Have you ever worn a wig, either for a costume or everyday use? What was your experience like?
Sample Answer: Yes, I wore a wig once for a Halloween costume. It was fun but a bit uncomfortable because it was hot, and the hair kept getting in my face. I can't imagine wearing it every day!
Question: Do you enjoy learning about historical fashion trends, like wigs? Why or why not?
Sample Answer: I do enjoy learning about historical fashion trends because it’s fascinating to see how people's styles reflected their values and status. The idea that wigs symbolized power and nobility is really interesting.
Question: Have you ever been part of a fashion trend that became very popular? What was it?
Sample Answer: I remember when skinny jeans became really popular, and everyone was wearing them. It was fun at first, but after a while, it felt like they were everywhere, and I started looking for something more comfortable!
Question: How do you take care of your hair or maintain a personal style? Do you follow any particular routines?
Sample Answer: I like to keep my hair routine simple. I wash it every other day, and I use a leave-in conditioner to keep it soft. I don't style it much, but I like it to look neat and healthy.
Question: Have you ever had a bad hair day that affected your confidence or mood? How did you deal with it?
Sample Answer: Oh, definitely! I had a bad hair day before an important presentation at work, and I felt really self-conscious. I just tied it up and tried to focus on the presentation instead of my appearance. It helped me realize that how I felt mattered more than how I looked.
Conversation Questions:
- Do you think wigs could become a mainstream fashion trend again? Why or why not?
- Do you think it’s fair that wigs were once seen as a symbol of power and wealth? How does that compare to modern fashion?
- What is your opinion on how certain trends, like wigs, became wasteful or extravagant during times of scarcity, like the bread shortage in France?
- Do you believe society still places too much importance on appearance, as it did with wigs symbolizing power? Why or why not?
- If you lived in the time of King Louis XIV, would you have embraced the wig trend, or would you have preferred a more modest style? Why?
Question: Do you think wigs could become a mainstream fashion trend again? Why or why not?
Sample Answer: I think wigs could become popular again, especially with how people like to experiment with their looks. Celebrities and influencers often change hairstyles with wigs, so it might inspire more people to use them for convenience or fun.
Question: Do you think it’s fair that wigs were once seen as a symbol of power and wealth? How does that compare to modern fashion?
Sample Answer: I don’t think it’s fair that wigs represented power and wealth, but it makes sense in the context of that time. Today, fashion is still tied to wealth, but there’s more room for individuality and self-expression, so you don’t need to be rich to have a unique style.
Question: What is your opinion on how certain trends, like wigs, became wasteful or extravagant during times of scarcity, like the bread shortage in France?
Sample Answer: I think it’s irresponsible to waste resources on extravagant fashion during times of scarcity. It’s similar to how some people today spend excessively on luxury items while others struggle to make ends meet. Fashion should be balanced with practicality and consideration for society's needs.
Question: Do you believe society still places too much importance on appearance, as it did with wigs symbolizing power? Why or why not?
Sample Answer: Yes, I think appearance still plays a big role in how people are perceived, especially in certain industries. However, there’s also a growing movement toward valuing authenticity and inner qualities, which is a positive change from the past.
Question: If you lived in the time of King Louis XIV, would you have embraced the wig trend, or would you have preferred a more modest style? Why?
Sample Answer: I probably would have preferred a more modest style because maintaining those elaborate wigs seems like a lot of work! Plus, I like the idea of natural beauty and not having to rely on something so extravagant to feel confident.
Famous Quotes
- "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." – Oscar Wilde
- "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." – Mark Twain
- "The difference between style and fashion is quality." – Giorgio Armani
- "Fashions have done more harm than revolutions." – Victor Hugo
- "To be noticed without striving to be noticed, this is what elegance is about." – Luciano Barbera
"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." – Oscar Wilde
Ideal Answer: Wilde's witty critique of fashion reflects the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of trends, implying that fashion is fleeting and, in a way, superficial. His quote could relate to how extravagant styles like the wigs of King Louis XIII’s era become quickly outdated, replaced by newer trends.
"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." – Mark Twain
Ideal Answer: Twain humorously highlights the importance of clothing in shaping societal perceptions. In the context of wigs during the 1600s, those who wore them, especially the aristocracy, used fashion as a way to assert power and influence, much like how one's clothing can affect their social standing.
"The difference between style and fashion is quality." – Giorgio Armani
Ideal Answer: Armani's quote suggests that style is timeless and rooted in personal expression, while fashion is more about following trends. The intricate, high-quality wigs of the Louis XIII and XIV courts represented both the style and the luxury associated with French aristocracy, whereas later wigs became more about following the trend.
"Fashions have done more harm than revolutions." – Victor Hugo
Ideal Answer: Hugo's statement points to the societal and economic impact of fashion, often leading to excess and inequality. During the French Revolution, wigs became a symbol of aristocratic decadence, and their fall from popularity reflected the changing values of a society that was turning against the excesses of the upper class.
"To be noticed without striving to be noticed, this is what elegance is about." – Luciano Barbera
Ideal Answer: Barbera’s quote speaks to the subtlety of true elegance, which contrasts with the flamboyance of the towering wigs of the 1700s. While wigs were used to attract attention and showcase wealth, Barbera suggests that real elegance lies in a more understated and natural appearance.
