In recent Tulane party news, the idea of wig date parties, house parties, and birthday parties has spiked. The concept of wearing a wig is fun, creative, and an exciting spin on a themed party. Who does not love taking on a new personality for the night? I know I do! It’s chic, different, and you can change your personality completely with just a simple disguise for the night. Wearing a wig on a random Thursday night as you are going to a function gives the same exciting feeling as dressing up for Halloween or Mardi Gras.
Tulane students are known to love a good themed party, as we live by our motto, “work hard, play hard.” As students, we face the constant pressures to be social, to excel academically, and to push through the trenches of midterms, projects, and papers; all while trying to figure out our paths after college. One of the best parts about Tulane is that the student body is incredibly well-rounded; you’re surrounded by people who value their academics and future while still knowing how to have a great time. Still, the pressures of attending a rigorous school can feel intense. That’s why the idea of wearing a wig for a night isn’t just fun, it’s often the little burst of joy that helps you get through the week.
I love getting dressed up, finding new clothes and accessories, and shopping as much as the next gal. But over time, sustainability and protecting the environment have become very important to me. We are living in a time when the leader of our country doesn’t even believe in climate change, which pushes me to do my part in making this world a better place. It’s vital to stay aware of the waste we create as humans.
With that in mind, I’ve noticed a growing number of events featuring wigs over the past few months. While I enjoy this playful trend, it’s made me stop and wonder: what are the environmental implications? Why do we, as a society, feel the constant need to buy new things we’ll only wear for one night? Are people thinking about how their actions affect the planet? Not to be a downer, but when you consider the environmental cost of buying that cheap green wig on Amazon just to toss it afterward, is it really worth it?
Numerous twenty-somethings are purchasing inexpensive wigs for one-time use, likely discarding them afterward. This trend is not only unique to Tulane, but this “wig craze” has ramped up in the past years as social media has become evident in the everyday lives of college students.
As online platforms continue to influence how we express ourselves, trends like this encourage constant reinvention of personal style. However, wigs are an idea of “fast fashion” because wigs become trend accessories rather than long-term investments, encouraging frequent buying, disposal, and replacement. Wig parties accelerate the turnover of wigs and amplify the consumption of hair products that are often synthetic or heavily produced.
Image via Fashion Nova
There are many environmental implications when choosing to wear a synthetic wig for the night that are not considered. According to the article, Where Do Synthetic Wigs Go When We’re Done With Them? Rhea Cartwright states, “synthetic hair… is composed of ultra-fine strands of plastic, and the petrochemical-derived materials such as polyester, acrylic, and PVC are not biodegradable. This means that they ultimately end up in landfills and contribute further to our global waste problem” (Cartwright 2020).
Even something as small as a one-night wig can have lasting consequences. The environmental crisis can feel overwhelming, but awareness is the first step toward change. If each of us paused to consider where our products end up, we could reduce unnecessary waste. Reusing wigs, swapping with friends, or investing in higher-quality, long-lasting options are small but meaningful actions.
Small changes can make a massive difference over time. It is vital that our generation is educated in the environmental detriments we are facing globally, so that we can create a sustainable earth and give back to Mother Nature. It may seem silly to care so much about a wig that you wear for one night. It’s just one party, right? But when thousands of people make the same small choices, the impact adds up. Recognizing how even our simplest habits affect the planet is the first step toward real change.
Image via Pinterest
Not all wigs are bad for the environment. In fact, people use wigs every day for various reasons. The problem is that people often opt for the quickest and cheapest wig when choosing one for a party. Pricing is one of the biggest barriers to sustainability because if there were only affordable options out there then everyone would choose sustainability.
Finding a sustainable hair option can be challenging, but there is a glimmer of hope. Companies like Irresistible Me and Raw Society Hair use natural ingredients to create wigs. Irresistible Me claims to incorporate sustainable practices: they use recyclable packaging, produce 100% human hair extensions, and market their products as “zero-damage”.
Sustainability is measured in different ways and has different practicalities depending on the scale at which the organization operates. The road ahead of finding a truly sustainable option in all facets of fast-fashion is a long one, but hope is not lost. If our generation commits to understanding the impact of even our smallest choices, we can move closer to saving the earth before it is too late. It may seem silly to care about something as simple as wearing a wig for one night, but when thousands make that choice, the impact multiples. Awareness is the first step in creating a lasting change.
About
Ella Cecil is from Newport Beach, California. She is a Senior at Tulane on the pre-law track majoring in psychology and minoring in spanish. She is very passionate about social justice and making sure everyone’s voices are heard. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, traveling, running, playing and listening to music, and eating great food!
Ella Cecil is from Newport Beach, California. She is a Senior at Tulane on the pre-law track majoring in psychology and minoring in spanish. She is very passionate about social justice and making sure everyone’s voices are heard. She enjoys reading, going to the beach, traveling, running, playing and listening to music, and eating great food!
