The Best Hangers for Every Wardrobe Item: A Complete Guide
Hangers can really make or break your closet experience. Wrestling with a hanger and accidentally breaking it or being gentle with it and still having it break is an experience we've all had one too many times.
Hangers are made from a variety of materials and each design is specifically made to hold different types of clothing efficiently. Choosing the right type of hanger for each type of garment you have will help extend the life of your clothes and keep them in tip-top shape, no matter what season.
The general rule of thumb for the best clothes hangers for clothes is if the hanger is able to retain the natural shape of your garment. Hangers that tug or pull on the fabric are no-go's, and hangers that sag from the weight of your garment mean that they're too thin and light. Like a spine, a hanger should be able to prop up your garment with easy support.
Wooden Hangers
An all-around superstar, a wooden hanger is functional and durable, perfect for most types of garments. They're able to maintain the shape of your collar while allowing the clothing to hang off naturally with no tugging or wrinkling because of its quality and weight.
Wood hangers are actually the best hangers for pants due to their durability and smooth shape, which helps prevent your pants from creasing. If you struggle with wrinkly pants, consider wooden hangers and watch the wrinkles disappear. Other garments wooden hangers are specialized for include:
Evening wear and heavy garments
Thick, curved or sloped wooden hangers are best for knits, sweaters, robes and evening wear. The weight of the wood will give heavier coats, dresses, or sweaters the support they need without any tugging or pulling on the fabric, and the curve of the hanger will protect the garment's form.
You may be wondering how to hang sweaters on a hanger. This hanging method eliminates pulling and keeps your sweater soft and huggable, all year round:
- Fold your sweater in half vertically and line up the sleeves.
- Lay garment flat and position the hanger so that the hook lays between the arm and body of the sweater.
- Wrap sleeves over the shoulder of the hanger, then slide it underneath the bottom bar.
- Repeat with the body of the sweater.
Suits and slacks
Wooden hangers for suit jackets should have thicker wood or material near the shoulders for flared shoulder support and a built-in felt or velvet trouser bar that sits underneath for their matching slacks. The thicker the bar, the less chance of creasing.
If you've never known how to fold suit pants on hanger, our favorite folding method for hangers is simple -
- Grab a pant leg in each hand by the hem. Be sure to maintain the crease. Straddle the hanger with the pant legs.
- Fold one leg through the hanger, letting the bottom hem hang about one inch above the crotch. Pinch the fold together with one hand.
- With your other hand, fold the other pant leg over the first and through the hanger in the opposite direction.
- Straighten the pants out, making sure the creases line up.
Cedar hangers for pests and moisture control
If you live in a region where moisture or pests, like moths, are a problem, go with cedar wooden hangers. Cedar is a natural pest repellent and also works in conjunction to absorb excess moisture — two-in-one protection, made with one smart decision.
Plastic hangers
An affordable alternative to wood, heavy gauge plastic tubular hangers offer a smooth experience and more color options to choose from. Make sure the hangers are good quality and don't have a seam of plastic running down that could potentially snag a thread.
Thick plastic hangers are the best clothes hangers for:
- T-shirts
- Polo shirts
- Casual blouses
- Jeans
Flocked and Velvet Hangers
Flocked and velvet hangers have a thin profile and are very space-saving, so if you have a smaller closet, this is a great option for you. But this also means that the weight of the garment they hold can't be too heavy, or else the hanger may break or bend. Light jackets are fine, but you'll know you've gone too heavy when the hanger sags with weight.
Flocked and velvet hangers are the best clothes hangers for:
- Delicate garments with light fabric, like silk or chiffon
- Strappy tops
- Light jackets
Padded hangers
Padded hangers are often a little pricier and come in smaller bulks. Padded hangers are a great option for pampering special items, since they add a soft touch to the experience and can be customized with a variety of colors and designs. Padded hangers can also hold more weight because of their robust frame.
Padded hangers are the best clothes hangers for:
- Delicate knits
- Evening wear
- Costumes
- Jackets
- Special outfits
Notches and clips
As long as the hanger can withhold the weight of the garment easily, notched hangers made from any material are able to hold strappy tops and dresses. Hangers with clips are great for skirts to minimize wrinkles and keep your skirt in view at all times. Consider rubber coated clips to avoid clip marks!
Hangers with notches and clips are the best hangers for:
- Strappy tops and dresses
- Skirts
The Best Hanger for T-Shirts
What are the best hangers for tshirts? Choosing the wrong hanger can leave your tshirt with a stretched neckline, weird fabric pulls on the shoulders, or even permanent bumps. Your irreplaceable band tshirt with years of memories stitched in the seams deserves a safe place to live. Don't kill it on the wrong hanger.
Velvet, padded, or wooden hangers are great for tshirts as long as they have a sloped shoulder that allows the arms of the tshirt to fall naturally when hanging in your closet. Sloped shoulders also make sure it's easy to slip the shirt on and off the hanger, reducing pulling and stretching.
Artisan Custom Closet Can Help
Looking for a custom closet accessory design perfect for storing all your garments? Call Artisan Custom Closets today and ask us how we can help.
