Wig Cap Construction

Wig Cap Construction Types

Wigs have come a long way in recent years. The advancements in the technology are so incredible; it is hard to determine the difference between a high quality synthetic wig and a human hair wig. These are NOT your grandmothers' wigs anymore!

Let's get down to base-ics. It all begins with the wig base, referred to as a cap. This is the material to which the hair is attached in order to create the wig. The new cap constructions are lighter, more durable, and so much more natural looking! When choosing a wig, it is important to consider the cap construction – each approach has a specific method of attaching hair to the cap and offers its own set of advantages.

Cap Features

100% Hand-TiedMonofilamentLace FrontBasic Cap
  • Creates the most natural movement as each hair moves freely
  • Each hair on the entire cap is hand-tied onto the base
  • The softest and most comfortable cap, it's ideal for a sensitive scalp & hair loss
  • Allows for styling versatility as you can comb the hair in any direction
  • Also known as 100% hand-knotted
  • Creates the illusion of natural hair growth from the scalp where the hair is parted
  • Each hair is individually hand-tied to a sheer base (but not entire cap)
  • Can be found just at the crown, along a pre-defined part or across the full top
  • A full mono top allows for parting & styling versatility
  • A double mono has an extra layer of soft material for added comfort
  • Creates the illusion of a natural-looking front hairline
  • Each hair is individually hand-tied to a section of sheer lace (but not entire cap)
  • Allows for styling hair away from the face
  • Most are ready-to-wear & temple-to-temple
  • Made with a delicate material that should be handled with care
  • Includes both capless and traditional constructions
  • Most durable & affordable
  • Most or all of the cap has open wefting for better air ventilation
  • Often gives the hair a naturasl lift with built-in volume at the crown
  • Hair is pre-teased at the root to help mask the cap beneath

100% Hand-tied

100% hand-tied monofilament caps allow each hair to move freely for the most natural look. Other designs referred to as 'hand-tied' feature a combination of hand-tied and machine-attached hair. This means that some areas (generally the part or crown) are hand-tied, but the rest is machine-attached. If you want the entire cap to be hand-tied, make sure to look for 100% hand tied!

Monofilament
Monofilament caps offer a very natural look with parting versatility. The mesh material gives the illusion of hair growth from the scalp and allows for individual, hand-tied hair. As a result, hair can be parted and combed in different directions. Monofilament wigs can be monofilament at the part, crown or entire top of wig.
Double monofilament wigs also happen to be a good option for sensitive scalps as the cap is soft. Of the monofilament caps, the 100% hand tied cap is generally the most comfortable. Lace Front
Lace front wigs create the illusion of natural hair growth along the hairline. This adds to the natural appearance of a wig and allows for styling away from the face. Some come pre-trimmed and are ready to wear while others will require some personalization. Learn More
Capless

Basic caps are the most common and affordable design. Wefts of hair are sewn onto the cap, which has a closed lace layer at the crown. The hair is cut and styled into a specific style and the crown is often teased or crimped so you cannot see down through to the cap. This type of cap often gives the hair volume at the crown.

Some wigs are referred to as capless. This is a bit of a misnomer as there is a cap, but instead of the closed lace layer at the crown, it has vertical lace strips with open spaces between the wefts.