Yeah they do cost heaps. It's tradition, I hear, for someone else, usually a female like a mother or spouse, to buy a Barrister his wig.
Santa- many courts will allow barristers to not wear wigs, but some rooms will not let a barrister speak until he's properly attired.
I hope it's a tradition that does not die because the Barrister is, imo, an honourable profession that requires high character. And the wig is a sign of this.
They've only recently faded out Solicitor's attire here, whereas in Britain, and a lot of the ex-colonies (like Indonesia, if you saw Chapelle Corby help with her solicitor's attire) still make most court persons wear court dress- clerks, solicitors, barristers, judges, etc.
The recent changing of Senior Counsel's title of QC to SC probably shows that tradition is dying, although I believe there was a vote in the actual Bar association. Honestly, though, I really don't care if we've still got ties to Great Britain, god knows there's no real downside to it.
Edited: jesus I can't spell.