Learn About Cap Constructions for Wigs

Traditional or Standard Wefted Cap

The traditional, sometimes referred to as classic or standard cap, is a wefted construction where synthetic hair is machine or hand sewn into strips of material. A "weft" is the narrow strip of material that has hair, all going in the same direction, sewn into it. These strips are inter-connected in horizontal planes going back and forth over the entire cap. This provides overlapping layers of hair and simulates natural hair growth. With a standard wefted cap you are buying a wig whose style cannot be altered.

Example of Rene of Paris wigs standard cap construction.

Example of Tony of Beverly wigs standard cap construction.

Capless / Open Cap

One variation on the standard wefted cap construction is the Open Cap construction also sometimes referred to as Capless because of its light weight. Open Cap construction means that the wefts are less dense with a bit more space between them. Therefore the hair is also less dense. Capless styles are lighter weight with better air circulation compared to other wig cap constructions. Many women who wear wigs for medical reasons prefer an Open Cap construction. Because they will more likely wear their wig for longer periods of time, a lighter weight cap provides more comfort.

New advancements in stretch technology now provide Open Cap constructions with thin resilient dual elastic sides that provide comfort and a precise all day fit. Open Cap wigs will have adjustment straps behind the ears to allow the wig to be sized down for a more snug fit.

An Open Cap construction can have a lace front, monofilament part, monofilament crown, or a combination such as a lace front with a monofilament top.

Example of Raquel Welch wigs Open Cap / Capless cap construction.
Raquel Welch styles can be found on our Raquel Welch wigs page. Her styles offer cap constructions ranging from standard, open cap, monofilament tops / partlines /crowns with and without lace front to 100% hand tied silk (double) monofilament top with lace fronts found on her most expensive Remy human hair styles.

Example of Tony of Beverly wigs Open Cap / Capless cap construction.

Lace Front Cap Constructions

Wig manufacturers developed lace front wigs so customers could wear their hair off the face. It is the only cap construction that permits a natural looking hairline. When combined with monofilament 100% hand-tied caps, lace front wigs are the most natural looking wigs available that are not custom made. Depending upon the wig manufacturer, the "lace front" may extend from temple to temple or from ear to ear. If you wish to trim some of the "lace front" even if it is a pre-cut lace front, we advise that you go to a professional hair salon to have it done.

?Lace front wigs can be made with human hair, synthetic hair, or a combination of the two. High quality lace front wigs are a great non-surgical hair replacement alternative. With a well-made lace front wig there are no limitations to one's look or lifestyle.

NOTE: The lace front cap construction is often combined with one of the variations of Monofilament cap constructions found on many wig styles.

With new advancements in lace front design, many ready-to-wear, pre-cut lace fronts do not need tape or adhesive, but please check with our customer service representative before purchasing, if you are unsure.

Example of Gabor wigs simple Lace Front cap construction.

Monofilament Cap Constructions

Monofilament cap constructions range from Monofilament Top, Monofilament Top With 100% Hand Tied Base, Double Monofilament Top, Double Monofilament Top with Lace Front, Monofilament Crown, to Monofilament Part Line with and without Lace Front. The may have open wefted sides and backs or a 100% hand tied base.

Monofilament cap construction is the preferred choice for those who want the most natural look while wearing a wig. Wig manufacturers originally developed the monofilament cap for women who have experienced significant hair loss due to chemotherapy, alopecia, or other medical reasons and have sensitive scalps. Sometimes mono-top wigs are referred to as "medical wigs." Due the labor-intensive requirements to make monofilament wigs, they are more expensive than standard wigs featuring wefted caps.

Regardless of whether a wig is made from synthetic fibers or human hair, the mono-cap construction method is the same. Instead of a few strands of hair or a weft of hair sewn into the wig cap, each and every single hair is individually hand knotted into a monofilament mesh cap so that it comes straight out of the mesh. This unique monofilament weaving allows each strand of hair to move freely and more naturally, allowing you to change the part and style of a monofilament cap wig.

There are a number of variations in monofilament design construction depending upon the wig manufacturer. Since many hairstyles don't require 100% monofilament technology to achieve a stunning look, or only require them at certain locations in the wig's cap, monofilament cap construction may differ in some minor ways from style to style. Most hand tied monofilament constructions involve a part area or perhaps just the crown. A basic rule of thumb is: "the smaller monofilament area the less expensive the wig." Nevertheless, all quality monofilament wigs offer a superior natural appearance.

This cap sometimes referred to as a mono-top, features monofilament in the top area, front to back, providing comfort and the look of natural scalp while allowing the flexibility of parting the hair on the left or the right or in the center.

Example of a Monofilament Top (with a lace front).

Monofilament Crown Cap Construction

This cap features monofilament in the crown area where the hair goes in multiple directions. This creates more hair "lift" in the crown area and a more natural scalp appearance where the hair separates.

Example of Tony of Beverly wigs Monofilament Crown with the hand tied crown centered.

Monofilament Top With Lace Front Cap Construction

Caps with a 100% hand-tied monofilament top and lace hairline off realistic off-the-face styling and the ability to part the hair left, right or center. The back and sides are machine made, often with resilient stretch throughout the base cap for a more custom like fit. Additional features, depending upon the wig manufacturer, may include adjusters at the nape for a more personalized fit, ear tabs frequently velvet lined and an extended nape which also may be velvet lined.

Example of Gabor wigs Monofilament Top with Lace Front cap construction.

Monofilament Top With 100% Hand Tied Base Cap Construction

This cap featuresa hand tied monofilament in the top area with a 100% hand tied base, resulting in the most natural looking hair movement for the entire wig and the versatility of amazing off-the-face styling.

Example of Jon Renau wigs With a Monofilament Top 100% Hand Tied Base Cap Construction.

Double Monofilament Top

Since the knots where the fibers / hair are individually tied into the cap of a mono-top wig may cause irritation, the double monofilament top wig has an extra layer of monofilament to protect people with sensitive scalps. All Amore Wigs features a double monofiament cap with a hand tied top construction and machine wefting along the sides and back.

Example of Amore wigs Double Monofilament cap construction.

Monofilament Part / Part Line / Patial Cap Construction

This cap features monofilament in the part area, again, to create a more natural appearance of the scalp, and allowing the wig to be worn with a conventional part or the popular zigzag part featured in many of the latest styles.

Example of Belle Tress wigs Monofilament Part / Part Line / Patial cap construction.
Belle Tress offers many of their styes with a monofilament part line with a lace front cap construction.

100% Hand-tied Cap

This is the premier of all wig cap construction types. 100% hand tied cap construction has the natural appearance of scalp wherever the hair is separated. The entire cap, front, crown, sides and back, is hand tied, not just a specific area. Quality 100% hand tied cap construction imitates most successfully the natural movement of real hair and is frequently found as the cap construction of choice for Remy Human Hair styles.

Example of Raquel Welch Remy Human Hair wigs 100% Hand Tied Monofilament Top with 100% Hand Tied Lace Front / 100% Hand Tied Base construction for Glamour and More from the RW Couture Collection.

Example of Louis Ferre Remy Human Hair wigs 100% Hand Tied cap construction for PLF007HM from the Louis Ferre Platinum Lace Front Collection (PLF Series).

Being more knowledgeable about cap construction should help you choose a wig that will be comfortable and better suited to your needs. Have a great time shopping at our unique Internet boutique, ElegantWigs.com. We have some of the most knowledgeable, and helpful customer service representatives on the web to make your shopping experience more satisfying.