1. High Heels for Men in France
Back in the 17th century, French kings weren’t just trendsetters in fashion—they actually made laws about it. King Louis XIV, known for his striking red-heeled shoes, enforced sumptuary laws that dictated who could wear certain colors and styles of footwear. Only the nobility were allowed to strut around in these high, red-bottomed heels, turning shoes into a symbol of class and power. It wasn’t about comfort at all, but about showing off status.
If you were caught wearing the wrong pair of shoes, it wasn’t just a fashion faux pas, it was breaking the law. The rules ensured that common people never looked too similar to the aristocracy. Imagine living in a time when your shoes could get you fined or worse. Fashion was less about personal style and more about proving you belonged to the right social class.
2. Beard Taxes in Russia
Peter the Great wanted Russia to look more like Western Europe, and in 1698 he took the drastic step of taxing beards. Men who wanted to keep their facial hair had to pay for a special token, otherwise they faced fines. This wasn’t just about looks—it was a ruler trying to shape an entire country’s image. Shaving was pushed as modern, while beards were seen as outdated.
The law even had checkpoints where guards would stop men and check for beard licenses. If you didn’t have the medallion, you could be publicly shaved on the spot. Can you imagine being forced to carry proof that your beard was legal? It turned personal grooming into a political statement.
3. Powdered Wigs in England
In the 18th century, wigs weren’t just popular, they were required by law in certain professions. Judges, barristers, and other officials had to wear powdered wigs to appear respectable and authoritative. The wigs were often itchy, heavy, and expensive, but that didn’t matter—law was law. It was an attempt to standardize what “dignity” and “power” looked like.
Even when wigs started to fall out of fashion, the legal profession held onto them tightly. They became a sign of tradition, enforced by law long after people stopped wearing them in everyday life. It shows how something as uncomfortable as a wig could turn into a permanent marker of authority. The powdered hairdo wasn’t a choice, it was practically mandatory.
4. The Corset Craze in Europe
Corsets may seem like a personal fashion choice today, but at one point, laws made them a requirement in certain royal courts. In the 16th and 17th centuries, women attending court were expected to wear corsets to mold their bodies into the “ideal” shape. This wasn’t optional—failing to follow the rule meant you weren’t properly dressed for society.
The laws reinforced the idea that a woman’s worth was tied to her waistline. Imagine being forced to lace yourself so tightly you could hardly breathe, just to be allowed into certain circles. It wasn’t just uncomfortable, it was dangerous to health, but women complied because the law and culture demanded it. Beauty was literally enforced by steel and whalebone.
5. The White Teeth Law in Japan
In Japan during the Heian period, white teeth were not the beauty standard—in fact, blackened teeth were considered elegant. But by the late 19th century, the Meiji government made tooth blackening illegal as they tried to modernize Japan. White teeth were pushed as the new beauty law, aligning with Western ideals.
This sudden reversal meant centuries of tradition were wiped away by decree. Women who had proudly blackened their teeth now had to conform to a new look or face penalties. It shows how quickly beauty standards can change when laws step in. What once symbolized refinement became stigmatized overnight.
6. Sumptuary Laws on Clothing Colors
Throughout Europe, sumptuary laws often dictated who could wear what colors. Purple, for example, was reserved for royalty and the elite. Ordinary people caught wearing certain shades could be fined or punished. Beauty was tightly controlled through clothing, with laws ensuring no one looked richer than they really were.
These laws reinforced class divides. Wearing the “wrong” color was considered disrespectful to those in power. Imagine being punished just because your outfit was too fancy for your social rank. It was less about style and more about keeping people in their place.
7. Ancient Rome’s Restrictions on Women’s Dress
In Ancient Rome, women’s clothing wasn’t just fashion—it was regulated by law. For instance, respectable Roman women were expected to wear the stola, while prostitutes were legally required to dress differently. This law directly tied morality to clothing, making it impossible for women to choose their own expression.
Breaking the dress code could bring serious consequences, including social disgrace and legal penalties. What you wore literally defined who you were allowed to be in society. It’s a stark reminder that beauty standards weren’t just cultural, they were legally binding. Women’s identities were policed down to their hems and fabrics.
8. The Ban on Long Hair in China
During the Qing dynasty, men were legally required to shave the front of their heads and wear the rest of their hair in a queue braid. This was not just a hairstyle, it was a law. Refusing to comply was considered treason and could even lead to execution. Hair became a symbol of loyalty to the ruling power.
This meant that a man’s appearance was dictated entirely by politics. Long, flowing hair was no longer a personal choice—it was an illegal act. Imagine facing death just because you refused to cut your hair. Beauty standards here weren’t about vanity but about control.
9. Makeup Restrictions in Ancient Greece
In certain parts of Ancient Greece, makeup was so tied to class that laws restricted its use. Prostitutes were legally required to wear makeup so that they were easily identified in public. At the same time, “respectable” women were expected to look natural, and too much makeup could land them in legal trouble.
It created a double standard where appearance was strictly monitored by law. Your eyeliner or lipstick wasn’t just cosmetic, it could define your social standing. Beauty became a legal marker that separated women into categories, stripping away the freedom to choose how they wanted to look.
10. Feather Bans in Medieval Europe
In Medieval Europe, laws often restricted the use of feathers and elaborate hats. Peacocks, swans, and exotic bird feathers were considered too luxurious for common people. Laws made sure that only the wealthy elite could flaunt such accessories. Beauty was not only about fashion but about displaying class-appropriate restraint.
If a commoner wore a hat too decorated, it wasn’t just snobbery that followed—it could mean fines or punishment. These laws highlight how beauty was never just personal expression. It was carefully monitored to make sure everyone “looked” their place in society. Feathers became more than just flair, they were political.
11. The Short Skirt Laws in Turkey
In the early 20th century, as Turkey began modernizing, laws restricted certain traditional dress styles and encouraged women to adopt Western fashion, including shorter skirts. This was enforced as part of a legal drive to reshape women’s appearances to match the new vision of the country. It wasn’t a choice, but a mandate.
Women who resisted risked social backlash or even legal trouble. Suddenly, the old beauty ideals were swept aside, and new ones were cemented in law. It shows how quickly fashion shifts when governments decide to step in. Personal preference became irrelevant when appearance was part of national policy.
12. Headdress Rules in the Ottoman Empire
In the Ottoman Empire, there were strict rules about turbans and headdresses. Certain styles and sizes were reserved for different classes and professions, and breaking the rules could result in punishment. Your beauty and dignity were literally measured in inches of fabric.
This created a society where you could immediately judge someone’s worth or profession based on their headwear. It wasn’t just a fashion statement, it was legally required. If you dared to wear a style above your station, you risked being fined. Beauty, once again, was controlled by law.
13. Eyebrow Laws in Uzbekistan
In parts of Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan during the 19th century, women were sometimes required to sport a unibrow as a sign of beauty and respectability. Laws and customs blended, and women who didn’t naturally have one were expected to paint or apply substances to create the look. It wasn’t optional if you wanted to be considered properly respectable.
The government’s involvement meant beauty standards weren’t just social—they were enforced. Women who failed to follow the rule could face penalties or social exclusion. What we might see today as unusual was once a legal requirement. It proves just how strange and controlling beauty laws could really be.