Powdered wigs were elaborate hairstyles made from human or animal hair, commonly worn in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were often white or gray, achieved by dusting the hair with powder, which was typically made from starch. These wigs symbolized status and were popular among the upper classes, including nobility and judges. The fashion for powdered wigs began in France and spread to other parts of Europe and America. They were often styled in various ways, such as the "periwig" or "fontange." Over time, the popularity of powdered wigs declined, and they eventually fell out of fashion by the late 18th century.