Your Crowning Glory

Choosing and wearing a wig is one of the most transformative (and sometimes intimidating) steps in crossdressing. The right wig can help you feel confident, feminine and expressive—but the wrong one can feel uncomfortable, look unnatural or just not suit your face or style.

Here’s a practical guide of wig tips for crossdressers, whether you are just starting out or looking to level up your femme presentation.

Know Your Goals

Do you want to pass/blend or are you going for dramatic flair?

Will you be wearing the wig for everyday use, photos or just for fun at home?

Are you going out in public or staying private?

Your answers will shape everything—from length and color to cap style and price range.

Choose a Color That Flatters You

First-time tip: Stick close to your natural hair color or a shade or two off (lighter or darker). This will feel less jarring and helps you adjust.

Skin tone matters:

Warm undertones? Go for golden blondes, auburns or chestnut browns.

Cool undertones? Ash blondes, black or espresso shades pop.

Avoid ultra-fake colors (like neon pink) unless you’re doing cosplay or drag.

Pick the Right Style for Your Face Shape

Round face? Go for longer styles with layers or waves. Avoid short bobs that emphasize width.

Square face? Try soft curls or side-swept bangs to soften jawlines.

Long face? Choose styles with volume at the sides or bangs to visually shorten the face.

Oval face? Lucky girl! You can wear any style.

Short wigs can be cute and manageable—but many crossdressers find medium-length to shoulder-length styles more feminine and flattering. However, a long style on a mature lady is unusual and may out yourself as a crossdresser. 

Cap Construction

There are three main types of wig caps:

Basic cap (wefted): Affordable, good for beginners, but less realistic.

Lace front: Natural-looking hairline, great for off-the-face styles.

Monofilament or hand-tied: The most realistic and breathable—but also pricier. If you are out among the civilians, you want your wig to look authentic, which means purchasing a more expensive wig. That’s what I do and on more than one occasion, a civilian thought my wig was my real hair even when they knew I was a “man in a dress”!

Pro tip: If you’ll wear the wig for hours, ventilation and breathability matter.

Secure It Right

To prevent slippage, use a wig cap to flatten your hair and keep things in place. Try wig grips (like velvet headbands) or double-sided wig tape. If needed, bobby pins or wig combs can give extra hold—especially on lace fronts.

If you have a full head of hair, braid or flatten it beneath the cap. If you’re bald or shaved, use a wig grip if you must (I am balding, use nothing and have seldom experienced slippage).

Style It Like You Mean It

Comb with a wide-tooth comb (never a brush) for synthetic wigs. Add a little dry shampoo to reduce fake shine on cheaper wigs. 

Don't use a generic hair spray on a synthetic wig; use a wig hair spray instead. Use heat tools only on heat-resistant synthetics or human hair wigs.

Consider thinning or trimming bangs slightly if they’re too long—carefully!

Want extra flair? Add a scarf, headband, or beret for both fashion and realism.

Wig Care

Wash every 6 to 10 wears with wig shampoo and cold water. Air dry on a wig stand—never use a blow dryer! Store your wig on a stand to preserve the shape and avoid tangling.

Pro tip: Own more than one wig so each lasts longer and suits different moods. (Don’t ask how many wigs I own! LOL)

Practice Makes Pretty

Wear your wig at home while doing chores, watching TV or getting ready. The more you wear it, the more natural it feels—and the more confident you’ll look in public.

Take Selfies and Ask for Feedback

Use photos to check proportions and silhouette and to see how lighting affects color and shine. Document your evolving style—so you know what works (and what doesn’t). If you're shy, post anonymously in crossdressing or femme fashion forums for feedback and support.

Own Your Look

The most important wig tip? Confidence. 

Whether you’re going for a natural girl-next-door vibe or a glamorous diva look, wear your wig like you mean it. Women and other crossdressers will pick up on your energy more than your hairline.

Caveat Emptor: The preceding tips are synthetic wig centric.

Wearing Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman

Nancy Ng after reading our recent post about French maids.