Hat + wig?

[KathyLauren]

I have to wear wigs most of the time due to MPB.  However, when I am outdoors, I need to wear a hat, because HRT has made my skin prone to melasma (pigmented spots due to sunlight interacting with estrogen).  When I am working in my yard, I wear a hat over my own hair, which works fine: my hair is curly, and what sticks out under the hat looks good.  But it means that I can't take the hat off in public without showing my bald pate.

It would be nice to be able to wear a hat over a wig.  Keeping it on in a breeze, and removing it (either intentionally or accidentally due to said breeze) without losing the wig could be problems.

Anyone have tips or suggestions?  Do I need different sizes of hat for with wig and without?  Do I need to glue the wig on?  If so, what do you use?

[Donna]

I tried wearing a hat over my wig just recently and could not take it off with out losing my wig. I don't know what the solution would be. My wife showed me some hats with hair attached so you could wear a hat without all the heat of hair under it. That might work

[Michelle_P]

Kathy, I use wig tape, a double sided hypoallergenic tape with a thick, gooey adhesive that sticks well to things like the lace front on my wigs.  There is a narrow curved strip on my forehead right now that has my wig thoroughly anchored.  I can yank on my hair, and it isn't going anywhere.

I use this and cut the strips in half lengthwise:  https://www.amazon.com/Lace-Curve-Hypo-allergenic-Piece-Adhesive/dp/B00XDQ77CC

You will need a larger hat or adjustable hatband to fit over a wig than on your bare head.

[KathyLauren]

Thanks, Michelle and Dona.

So, it looks like I was right about needing to glue it down.    I do have a knitted beret that is big and stretchy enough to wear over my wig in cold weather and cover my ears.  I can remove it by stretching it fully and lifting it off carefully.  But it looks like I will need some of that tape to wear a sun hat.

Donna, the hat with hair attached is a fine idea, but I would like to be able to remove the hat, which I wouldn't be able to do in public if the hair was attached.  For occasions where I don't need to remove the hat, I just use my own hair.  Though I suppose ladies are allowed to wear their hats indoors.  Hmm.

[Charlie Nicki]

When it comes to this you can get some pointers from drag queens. They usually glue the lacefront down like Michelle said, some of them do it with non toxic glue that works with well with skin instead of tape. And well they do acrobatics on stage, dance, run around, etc...and the wig stays. So it can definitely work on transwomen as well.

[Lyric]

You can buy special hairpieces designed for wearing under hats. It's usually a line of  hair the runs around the edge just under the hat. Milano Wigs sells a whole line of these, complete with hats, even. You can even get a special one intended to poke through the hole in the back of bill cap.

[MelissaPink]

I also have MPB, must  wear wigs and often must wear a hat to protect my skin from the sun's rays. I apologize if this topic has been covered recently but has anyone used any of the commercial hair replacement products (e.g. Hair Club) that you seen on cable infomericals? Even my Paula Young Whisper Lite wigs are hot during our long Tennessee summers.  Any insight or alternatives that anyone can suggest would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

[KathyLauren]

Updating this topic, I did find a lovely, stylish sun hat that is big enough to fit over my wig.  It stays on, though I haven't tested it in a gale.  It is the perfect thing for hot sunny days.

[MelissaPink]

Thanks for the update. That hat looks wonderful on you and compliments your lovely outfit. I adore your look! 

[Donna]

Updating this topic, I did find a lovely, stylish sun hat that is big enough to fit over my wig.  It stays on, though I haven't tested it in a gale.  It is the perfect thing for hot sunny days.

Still love that outfit Kathy.

[KatieP]

Kathy, I use wig tape, a double sided hypoallergenic tape with a thick, gooey adhesive that sticks well to things like the lace front on my wigs.  There is a narrow curved strip on my forehead right now that has my wig thoroughly anchored.  I can yank on my hair, and it isn't going anywhere.

I use this and cut the strips in half lengthwise:  https://www.amazon.com/Lace-Curve-Hypo-allergenic-Piece-Adhesive/dp/B00XDQ77CC

You will need a larger hat or adjustable hatband to fit over a wig than on your bare head.

Hi Michelle,

Can you use this technique with any wig, or does it need to be a specific type, such as Lace front?


Also, how hard is it to get the goopy stuff off your forehead? Do you need the Goo-Be-Gone sort of thing?


Thanks for the info!!

Kate

[Edit] That is a VERY nice outfit. Great job!! A total "Fashion DO!"

[Michelle_P]

Hi Michelle,

Can you use this technique with any wig, or does it need to be a specific type, such as Lace front?

I've used this with conventional (non lace) wigs that just used the elastic band (sometimes with a silicone anti-slip strip) on the front.  It works well.

Also, how hard is it to get the goopy stuff off your forehead? Do you need the Goo-Be-Gone sort of thing?

The adhesive from the tape so far has never left a residue on my skin, only the tape backing.  Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol will remove traces of it. 

[Tig58072]

I wear a bandana over mine. In the winter I wear a stocking cap over the bandana. I wear a helmet when I ride too. You can get them off without dislodging the bandanna. Hold the bandanna tail and grab the hat or helmet from the back and pull it forward. You'll learn the right method.
Its kind of redundant to cover my aftermarket hair but I stay under the radar and I have to have hair. So I put the bandanna on when I'm around people I don't want to know and then remove it when I'm around the locals or by myself.

[LoriDee]

With me, it is either/or.

I wear a hat or a wig. My wigs and toppers are held on with clips and wig tape. Check out Walker Tape Co. Highly recommended. But wearing a hat on top of a wig would be too warm in most cases.