The term “bigwig” refers to someone important or influential, and its roots go back to the 17th and 18th centuries. At that time, wigs were more than fashion. They were a statement of wealth, power, and authority across Europe.

Louis XIII of France first wore wigs to hide his thinning hair, but it was his son, Louis XIV, the Sun King, who truly made them a trend. His elaborate human-hair wigs set the standard for the French court, and the style spread quickly through the aristocracy. Soon, nobility, judges, and political figures in England and beyond were towering under horsehair and human-hair creations that cost a fortune to maintain.

The bigger and more ornate the wig, the higher the status of the wearer. Judges and senior politicians in particular were known for their massive wigs, which became shorthand for authority. By the early 1700s, people were using the term “bigwig” to describe anyone who held serious power or influence.

Don't stop here. He also popularized high heels!