A common misconception is that an Average size wig cap will fit the majority of the population. The reality is that this is only the case in the United States and in some of the other parts of the world. However here in Australia we have a larger proportion of women with smaller sized heads, and it’s fair to say this could also be the case in UK, NZ and other countries.
We’re not sure why this is the case, but we are sure that the wig selection and styles available in petite sized caps is quite limited, no where near the myriad of styles, shapes, colours of wigs available and produced in an average size cap. Leaving ladies having to ‘make it fit’ so they can wear the wig they love. Yes there are adjustable elements on a wig which can be set to the tightest setting, however does it affect the integrity of the cap and how it sits on your head? Absolutely! By drawing the adjustable straps in as tight (and sometimes even tighter by crossing over) the wearer is creating a baggy area at the back of the wig which will never sit flat to a head.
The average cap is designed to fit a head with a circumference of around 22″. We’ve found in Australia the ‘average curcumference measurement’ for a woman to be 21″ – this is a whole inch smaller and falls into the petite sizes for caps. In summary we could say that the petite size caps in the industry sit at around 21-21.5″ and extra small wig cap is 20.5-21″ and the extra extra small (child size) is 20-20.5″.
So what qualifies a head size as petite or small? Is there a difference between petite, small and extra small?
Why is it so important to choose petite over settling for an average size cap, considering that a lot of the most popular styles of wigs only come in average cap sizes?
Going up a size in a wig will have the wig not feeling secure and in most cases the wig will ‘bag at the back’. Meaning there will be an area at the back where the wig simply doesn’t hug the head at all. An ill fitting wig leaved room for the wig to slip, come off relatively easy and will generally have the wearer feeling quite unconfident that the wig is going to stay on.
Ofcourse, wig grippers can assist in these cases, however for a wig to sit and feel secure it needs to be the right size for the wearer. As with anything the market will cater for the masses over the minority or niche demands. To run a line of wigs specifically dedicated to a size that isn’t deemed as in demand as other sizes just doesn’t make sense…. or does it?
Petite wigs in Australia have become the norm for sizing and fast becoming recognised as the correct size for most wig wearers. Just like other niche stores, there’s now a store and supplier of wigs dedicated just to petite sizes here in Australia. New technology developments in wig making and the structure of the wig cap itself has lead to the fitting of small sized wigs being the most snug and comfortable in the history of wig making. Finally women with small heads now have a range dedicated to them with the most popular styles on offer.
The Petite Wig Company is the first Australian Wig Developer to run full lines of synthetic wig styles. It’s exciting times and a relief for everyone who has a small head along with ladies who may have a flat head.
Petite is the new norm.
