Wig Cap Types and Constructions

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Wig Cap Types and Constructions

Ever wonder how wigs are made? It all starts with the base, or “wig cap”. A wig cap is the base material used to attach synthetic fibers or human hair strands to create and shape a wig. The latest wig cap constructions have a more natural/realistic look and are lighter, as well as more durable, which can increase comfort, and wear times. When choosing your wig, be sure to consider the cap construction to ensure a great fit for you. Here are the various types of wig cap constructions, along with their features and benefits.

Basic or Capless Construction
The basic or capless cap is the most common, sometimes called standard or traditional, wig cap design. This cap is constructed using narrow strips of material, or wefts, that are attached to the frame of the wig, usually by a machine. The top of the wig cap base has a solid lace top (closed top), where only the sides and back are designed with open rows (wefts). Because the wefts are open, you can actually put your fingers through them and touch your scalp. This open weft design helps provide a lighter, cooler, and more comfortable fit. In order to help conceal the rows of wefts, the base of the wefts are “crimped” or have shorter fibers added. These features also create lift and volume. Most wigs in this category are considered low maintenance because they are ready to wear out of the box, with minimal styling and preparation needed. Capless wigs are great quality at a budget-friendly price.

Total Capless Construction
Total Capless is much like the capless construction. The difference is not only are the sides and back designed with open rows (wefts), but the top area is designed this way as well (instead of a solid lace top on the Capless Construction). As with the Capless Construction, the total capless construction features the open weft design. It is considered to be lightweight and provide ultimate ventilation.

Monofilament Construction
Monofilament wig caps have a nearly transparent sheer top, made of lightweight, fine mesh material, and emulates the appearance of a natural scalp. The hair is attached by hand-tying one or two strands at a time to the mesh material, which helps the strands to move more freely, just like a natural head of hair. The monofilament area is located at the part, the crown, or the entire top of a wig cap. A monofilament part (mono part) allows for multi-directional parting while creating the appearance of natural hair growth. A monofilament crown (mono crown) creates the appearance of natural hair growth where the hair is parted at the crown. The full monofilament top (mono top) allows for parting in any direction, which will give you the biggest opportunity for styling flexibility.

Double Monofilament Construction
A double monofilament cap is designed with an added layer of soft fabric for extra comfort, which is great for someone with a sensitive scalp, including those who have received medical treatment such as chemotherapy.

Hand-Tied Construction
The hand-tied wig cap can be constructed using two methods. Method 1: The ENTIRE cap, meaning the front, sides, and back (as opposed to just a specific section) is constructed by manually hand tying individual hair fibers to the mesh base. This is called 100% hand tied. Method 2: Only a SECTION of the cap, such as the top is hand-tied, and the rest of the cap is machine wefted. This method allows your natural skin tone to show through, giving the look of natural hair growing from your scalp. The hand-tied construction imitates the natural movement of real hair. It is considered to be a softer, more comfortable cap, and is also lightweight and well ventilated, which is great for someone with a more sensitive scalp or hair loss.

Lace Front Construction
Lace front wig caps are made using a virtually sheer lace material along the front hairline and are designed to create a natural looking front hairline so the hair can be styled away from your face or even pulled back. The lace can extend from temple to temple, and also ear to ear, depending on the manufacturer. Each hair is individually hand-tied to the sheer lace, creating the illusion of natural looking hair. For this reason, the lace front wig is often referenced as the wig with an “invisible hairline”. This feature is sometimes combined with a monofilament top 100% hand-tied base, which can be a costlier option.

Exclusively By The Wig Company
There are two types of wig caps that are made exclusively by The Wig Company. The Sleep Wig and the Soft Stretch Wig. Both wigs caps are designed specifically with comfort and durability in mind.

Sleep Wig
The Sleep Wig cap is designed for women that have no hair or very little hair and can be worn, during the day, while you sleep, or during hospital stays. Made with a Total Capless Construction, this night n day cap is lined with a very soft 100% nylon stretchable mesh material, resulting in a comfortable and secure fit. Attached to the sleep wig cap is a 100% nylon lace headband that has an easy-access Velcro adjustment strip along the front. Each Sleep Wig comes with removable smooth bangs.

Soft Stretch
Soft Stretch wigs offer clever integration of softer and wider perimeter stretch bands, and a new stitching technology. Here are its features:

Soft Stretch Hairline – A soft lightweight fabric with subtle stretch ability located at the front underside of the wig cap. This treatment provides a lighter, cooler front hairline with moderate, soft stretch fabric.

Soft Stretch Ear Tabs – Designed with soft expandable fabric attached to the ear tabs, resulting in a contoured custom fit. Other ear tab designs do not have the same ability to aid in comfort or in fit.

Soft Stretch Nape – Gently and securely hugs and conforms to your neckline. The standard nape on all other wig caps is not designed with the stretchability to conform to the back of the neck.

Soft Stretch Circumference Bands – A softer fabric with a 2 1/2 times wider band that eases tension between the ears and the nape. All other wig cap designs are made with a thinner, not as soft fabric, and will in some cause uncomfortable depression lines in the area between the ears and the nape.

Soft Flex Combs - Tiny, flexible, weightless combs for added security. The Soft Stretch wig cap design incorporates three flexible combs sewn to the inside of the wig cap, one at the front and one at each side of the wig cap. These combs slide easily through your hair for added security.

Soft Weave Wefting – Generally in most wig designs wefts are sewn in straight rows from left to right, this type of wefting limits the flow of thestyling of the fiber. In Soft Stretch the wefts are sewn in a wavy pattern. This technique offers a cooler cap design and allows more air flow to your scalp for better fiber movement and more styling versatility.

Life Life Fiber - A TWC exclusive from Kanekalon featuring ultra-light denier fiber strands combined with traditional fiber, resulting in more coverage and volume, and a wi that is 25% lighter in weight.