What to Expect When Your Wig Arrives: Discreet Packaging, Delivery Times and Your First Try-On

October 28th, 2026 | 9 min read | By: Liv

Courier handing over a plain brown parcel with no branding, only a barcode label

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Jump to: Does the Packaging Say Wigs on It? Who Sees What What's Inside the Box Your First Try-On Keep the Box Returning a Wig Discreetly Ordering for Someone Else Discreet Delivery FAQs Anything Else?

What's In This Article

Ordering a wig is personal. For a lot of our customers it’s the most private purchase they’ve made in years, and the question we’re asked more than almost any other, by phone and by email, isn’t about colour or cap size. It’s “what will the parcel look like?”

So here is everything, with photos. What the box looks like from the outside, what’s written on the label, who delivers it and what happens if you’re out, how long it takes, what’s inside when you open it, how to do your first try-on, why you should keep the packaging, and how to return a wig without telling anyone what’s in the parcel. We’ve been sending wigs through the post since 2007, and we’ve had plenty of practice at keeping it between us.

Does the Packaging Say Wigs on It?

No. Your wig arrives in a plain brown or white box with nothing on the outside to say what’s in it or where it’s from. The return address on the label reads “SWL” rather than our name. The courier doesn’t know what’s inside, and neither will your neighbour, your postman or anyone else who sees the parcel on the step. Smaller items such as shampoo or a wig brush may come in a plain padded envelope instead.

What the Parcel Looks Like

Discreet packaging means exactly that, and it’s easier to show than describe. A wig comes in a sturdy box, sized to the wig, sealed with plain tape. The label carries your name and address, a Royal Mail tracking barcode and our return address as SWL. There is no logo, no strapline and no mention of hair anywhere on it. Inside the outer box, the wig sits in its own manufacturer’s box or protective wrapping; more on that below.

We pack every order ourselves in Slaithwaite. The people who do it know why it matters, because they talk to our customers every day, and getting it right is the part of the job they take most seriously.

Our Packaging

Plain brown parcel with a Royal Mail Tracked 24 label and no branding

A large white padded envelope used by Simply Wigs to ship wig accessories.

Who Sees What

Your parcel is sent by Royal Mail, tracked. You’ll get a despatch email from us with the tracking number, and Royal Mail will usually send a delivery window on the day. A few things worth knowing:

Signature. Tracked 48 and Tracked 24 don’t require a signature; the postie will leave it with you, in your safe place or with a neighbour. If you’d rather it wasn’t left anywhere, set a safe place or ask for it to be held at your delivery office through the Royal Mail app.
If you’re out. Royal Mail will leave a card or send a message, and you can collect from the delivery office or rebook. The parcel is as plain at the office counter as it is on your step.
Delivering somewhere else. You can send it to work, to a friend’s, or to a Post Office to collect; just use that address at checkout. Nothing on the box will give the game away.
Shared buildings. If parcels get left in a hallway, the box is anonymous. If that still worries you, a collection point is the simplest answer.
Your statement. The charge on your card or bank statement shows as SWL. If that matters, we can’t change it, but it’s worth knowing in advance.

Simply Wigs warehouse team standing behind discreet wig parcels ready for delivery.

How Long It Takes

Most orders are despatched the same or next working day and arrive one to two working days after despatch. Tracked 48 is £2.95 and Tracked 24 is £6.95; Express is £11.95 on eligible in-stock items, and delivery is free for Simply Loyal members. Our delivery page has the current prices, cut-off times and international options, and it’s the place to check before Christmas and the Black Friday sale, when Royal Mail is busiest.

If a wig is for a date, a holiday or a hospital appointment, tell us when you order and we’ll say honestly whether it’ll make it. We’d rather you knew than hoped.

What's Inside the Box

Open the outer box and you’ll find:

The wig, in its manufacturer’s box or wrapped in tissue, on a cardboard insert or in a hairnet that keeps the style in shape. The net stays on until you’re ready to try it.
The manufacturer’s care leaflet and swing tags. Leave the tags on until you’ve decided to keep it; see returns below.
Your despatch note, folded inside the box, not on the outside.
A wig stand, brush or care products, if you ordered them. If you didn’t, you’ll want a wig stand and a wig brush sooner or later.

Your First Try-On

A wig straight out of the box rarely looks its best. It’s been folded, netted and posted. Give it five minutes.

Take the net off, hold the wig by the ear tabs and give it a gentle shake. Don’t brush it yet.
If you have hair, flatten it with a wig cap or clips. Put the wig on from the front, hairline first, then pull it down at the back.
Adjust the straps at the nape until it’s snug but not tight. Most of us go one notch too tight the first time.
Now work the style through with your fingers, then a wig brush, from the ends up. Synthetic fibre settles over a day or two; a human hair wig may want a light mist of water and a gentle blow dry.
Look in daylight, not just the bathroom mirror. Give it a day before you decide. Everyone’s first thought is “that’s a lot of hair”; by the second day most people wonder why they waited.

If it doesn’t feel right, ring us before you decide anything. Nine times out of ten it’s the fit or the parting, and we can talk you through both in a minute. Our guide for first-time wig wearers covers the rest, and our wig size guide will tell you if it’s the cap.

Keep the Box

Two reasons. If you want to return or exchange the wig, it needs to go back in its original packaging with the tags on, so don’t recycle anything for the first fortnight. And the box the wig came in is the best place to store it when you’re not wearing it: it keeps the shape, keeps the dust off, and keeps it private. Our guide to storing a wig explains the options, including stands, bags and what to do when you travel.

Returning a Wig Discreetly

You have 14 days from delivery to tell us you’d like to return a wig, and 14 more to post it back, in its original packaging with the labels intact; clearance wigs and accessories are the exceptions. Full details are on our returns page.

One of our customers wrote to us about being asked, at a Post Office counter in front of a queue, exactly what was in the parcel she was returning. We’re sorry that happened, and here’s what to know. Royal Mail staff ask about contents to check for prohibited items, not to pry, and you don’t have to be specific: “hair accessories” is true, complete and all they need. If you’d rather not go to a counter at all, a Royal Mail collection from your door or a parcel postbox will take a tracked return. Pack it as it came, in the plain box, and it will be as anonymous on the way back as it was on the way to you.

Ordering for Someone Else

A good many first wigs are ordered by a daughter, a husband, a sister or a friend, often for someone going through treatment. Everything above applies. Use their address or yours; the parcel will be plain either way, and if you’d like us to leave out the despatch note or add a message, just let us know when you order. If you’re not sure of size or colour, ring us first; a photo of them with their own hair and a quick conversation is usually enough, and it’s a lot easier than an exchange. If cost is a difficulty, our Wig Bank passes on donated wigs free of charge.

Does the Simply Wigs box say wigs on it?: No. The outer box is plain brown or white with no branding, and the return address on the label is shown as SWL. Nothing on the parcel says what’s inside or who it’s from.
Is wig delivery discreet?: Yes. Plain packaging, an anonymous return address, Royal Mail tracked delivery, and the despatch note folded inside the box rather than on it.
How long does wig delivery take?: Usually one to two working days after despatch. Tracked 48 is £2.95, Tracked 24 £6.95, Express £11.95 on eligible items, and free for Simply Loyal members. Check the delivery page for current cut-off times.
What does a wig come in?: A plain outer box, with the wig inside in its manufacturer’s box or tissue, held in a protective net, with the care leaflet and swing tags.
Will I need to sign for it?: Tracked 48 and Tracked 24 are delivered without a signature and can be left in a safe place or with a neighbour. You can also have it held at your delivery office or sent to a collection point.
Can I have it delivered somewhere other than home?: Yes. Use a work, friend’s or collection-point address at checkout. The parcel is just as plain wherever it goes.
Do I have to say what's in the parcel when I return it?: No. Royal Mail asks to check for prohibited items; “hair accessories” is accurate and sufficient. You can also arrange a collection from home rather than going to a counter.
What shows on my bank statement?: It shows as SWL. This is the one place we can’t be completely anonymous, so it’s worth knowing before you order.

Part of the Simply Wigs Customer Services Team

Anything Else?

If there’s something about your delivery you’d rather ask a person, get in touch or ring us on 01484 844557, and if you’d like to skip the post altogether, book a free appointment and collect in person. Whatever you decide, it stays between us.