Monofilament Wigs

What is a monofilament wig? How is it different from a standard wig?

Monofilament wigs vary slightly by the style and construction of the wig.

The construction and weaving in a monofilament wig allows air to flow through and keep the cap cool.

Monofilament wigs are hand tied to the base to create a natural look.

Monofilament wigs are high quality, natural looking wigs whose caps are constructed with a thin, mesh, nylon-like material called monofilament fabric (sometimes abbreviated as "mono top wigs").

A standard wig cap is constructed with several rows of “wefts” layered and sewn to create a base. Wefts are essentially long strings of material with hair sewn into them.

Monofilament wigs employ a different approach to cap construction and integration with hair fibers. Unlike traditional wefts, monofilament fabric gives you the ability to sew hair fibers into the wig cap one hair (or a few hairs) at a time. This method of wig construction mimics the way hair naturally grows out of a scalp. Regardless of whether the wig is made from synthetic hair or human hair, the method construction is the same. For more information on monofilament human hair or synthetic fiber wigs check out our Wig Fibers Guide.

A typical monofilament wig is of much higher quality than a standard cap wig, and often results in a more natural look, depending on the hairstyle desired. In the wig industry, monofilament wigs have been steadily growing in popularity for many years.

Do you sell monofilament lace front wigs?

Yes, you can get a wig with the monofilament fibers sewn in with the great looking aesthetic of lace front.

Can you get monofilament wigs with bangs?

Yes, while most common monofilament is sewn on top, you can also get monofilament wigs with bangs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of monofilament construction compared with standard wigs?

Advantages:

Natural Look With A Natural Part

The main advantage to monofilament technology is its ability to achieve a more natural look. Each hair in a monofilament wig is hand-stitched into a semi-transparent, mesh material that allows for the wig to show off your scalp along the lines of the natural parts in your hair style. Monofilament wigs are almost indiscernible from natural hair, even to the most curious onlooker.

Less Hair And Materials

A common complaint with standard wigs is that sometimes it feels like there is just too much hair, especially on the top of the head and near the front hairline. Monofilament technology requires wigs with less hair to be sewn into the wig cap. Monofilament wigs are less bulky in the areas that are most often criticized as too voluminous. There is less hair, and less cap volume as well, enabling the hair to lie very flat and close to the head. For this reason, monofilament wigs are especially useful for those desiring thin or fine hairstyles.

Lightweight and Cooler

Less hair and materials offer monofilament wigs the advantage of lightness and airiness. Their weights are usually lighter than a standard cap because there is less hair on the wig and less materials in the cap fabrics. This creates a greater amount of airflow through the wig, which prevents heat from staying trapped under the wig. Monofilament wigs boast a reputation for being delightfully cool.

Directionality And More Styling Options

Because each hair is sewn individually into the cap, the hair fibers in monofilament wigs enjoy the ability to move about easily and in all directions, which allows for a greater degree of styling freedom. Less fixed in style than with standard wigs, monofilament wigs can usually be altered simply by brushing or with the aid of a light spritz of water during styling to decrease static electricity. This also enables one to alter the location of the part in most monofilament wigs, a feature usually unavailable with a standard wig.

Disadvantages:

Higher Cost

The main disadvantage is that monofilament wigs are more expensive than standard cap wigs. The higher price is due to the labor-intensive nature of the construction. Each hair or tuft of hair is hand-tied and individually knotted into the monofilament fabric using tiny hooks. This takes a great deal of time and skill to accomplish.

Quantity of Hair

One of the main advantages of a monofilament wig can also be a disadvantage. While many people are pleased with the thinner hair volume of monofilament wigs, some people want more hair and more volume.

For a flatter, more natural style, monofilament is a good choice. If you want to increase your hair’s height or volume, however, monofilament wigs may not be the best option for you.

What are the differences between the various types of monofilament wigs?

The caps of most monofilament wigs are not made entirely of monofilament material, but of some combination of monofilament and traditional weft construction. In all wigs, the locations where it is most difficult to achieve a natural appearance are the top and crown of the head, and the edge of the front hairline. These are the areas where it is most crucial to include monofilament technology. The sides and the back of the wig do not require such delicate maneuvering and usually employ traditional weft design, even in higher quality monofilament wigs.

Some wigs advertise a "monofilament part" intended for the sole purpose of achieving a natural looking part. These wigs may use standard construction in the rest of the cap and use monofilament construction only in the area of the hair part. The extent to which a wig is composed of monofilament material depends on various factors, but the primary factor is the hairstyle that is desired in the wig. Many hairstyles don't require monofilament technology to achieve a stunning look, or only require them at certain locations in the wig's cap. For this reason, the exact cap construction may differ in some minor ways from style to style.

A useful strategy is to use monofilament construction for the top of the wig and wefted construction elsewhere. This creates a wig with a natural appearance in the area that usually matters the most. The very highest quality wigs are entirely 100% hand tied with monofilament construction.

Is a monofilament wig the right choice for me?

Monofilament wigs are a great choice for anyone who wants the most undetectable wig available. Those who are sensitive to the perception of a wig, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or women suffering from significant hair loss, may appreciate the natural appearance that these wigs provide.