Yesterday I passed a barbershop and saw ads on their wall outside of men with beards and short hair. It is a revival or saving electricity ?
Becoming a wizard isn't so trivial as just being declared one - many wizards apprenticed themselves to gain knowledge and improve their chances but that elevation is a personal journey.
You will know you're a wizard when you can look at fellows in your skill and know that none of them would challenge your adoption of the title. I wish you the best of luck. It's a title within reach of everyone in their lifetime.
The staff and robes are optional but who would turn down a badass purple robe.