Why did George Washington wear a white wig?

George Washington did not wear a wig, however, he did tie his hair back and powder it white. Powdering the hair was a common style in the 1700s.

Washington had naturally reddish light brown hair that he powdered white because white, gray and blonde were fashionable hair colors at the time. Many men wore white or powdered white wigs made of real hair, either to stay fashionable or because they were balding. Pomade was often used in the hair, as a sticking agent, with the powder applied over it to create an even hair color. Hair powder was usually made of rice or potato flour, coloring pigments and fragrance.