Big Wig Day

Big Wig Day is the last Friday in January

Wig out! It’s National Big Wig Day (NBWD). Celebrated on the last Friday of January, NBWD is a day for silly fun and charity. On NBWD, you dress up in the most outrageous, stylish wig and donate money to organizations such as The American Cancer Society. The funds are for people suffering from an illness that might put them in a wig-wearing position. Join in on this empowerment movement and get wiggin’!

History of Big Wig Day

On Jan. 2, 2016, Patty Sharkey, feeling down in the post-holiday season, posted a “wigged out” selfie on Facebook. She captioned the post with the joke, “Happy National Big Wig Day!” The post was simply a reaction to her mood, nothing more. The jubilant responses she got back were not only surprising but a delight. The moment served as inspiration for what would become an effort for self-affirmation. Partnering with such charities as The United Way, the Desert Cancer Foundation, the Hospitality House, and the Look Good Feel Good division. The Big Wig team wants people whose feelings of self-worth are low to embrace their fabulous side and discover their value.

Wig History

Wigs make for quite the fashion statement in celebrity culture these days, but their history goes back centuries. In Ancient Egypt, people would shave their heads and wear wigs to protect their scalps from intense sunlight or lice. 16th-18th century Europeans embraced wigs as a means to combat widespread baldness resulting from a syphilis epidemic, then later adorning them in the wake of King Louis XIV appropriation of the headpiece. Wigs came to distinguish social status among 18th-century upper-class folk. The fad phased out around the time of the French and American Revolutions with feelings of animosity toward aristocracy permeating the air. The 20th century saw the popularity of wigs rise with women with cost-efficient synthetic wigs and ones that could be naturally styled. Today, wigs fit into many occasions: celebrity glam, cosplay get-ups, or Halloween costumes. Versatile and magnetic, the wig represents personal identity and character.

How To Observe Big Wig Day

The official NBWD site suggests participating in these ways:

• House party! Throw a shindig in which everyone comes in a wig and place a donation jar out for guests to make a small contribution.
• Throw an office party celebrating Big Wig Day. Think casual Friday, but wigs instead of khaki shorts.
• Restaurants or bars employees can slap on a wig and offer drink specials. Place out a collection jar for donations. All proceeds go to the charity of your choosing.

 
Visit the official website for more information on how to donate. Make an impact on someone’s life today. Fly your own flag and show the world how big your wig is!
 
“We believe you are the “Big Wig” of your life. You are not your job title, clothing size, zip code or the car you drive. You are fabulous!” - The Big Wig Team