Hangers are a necessary and vital part of your closet. They keep your clothes (or scarves, purses, ties, and belts) wrinkle-free while keeping your closet organized. Keep reading to learn more about the types of hangers and how to find the right one for you.

How to Choose the Best Hangers

Before you choose the best hanger, consider the types of clothing you plan to hang, how many garments you will need to hang, and the amount of space you have available in your wardrobe. These will all impact the type of hangers you should opt for. Hangers are made from assorted materials which are suitable for different types of clothing. For example, hangers for pants are quite different to the best hangers for sweaters. To choose the best set for your clothing, you should learn the differences.

Hanger Materials

Closet hangers come in a large range of materials, including wood, velvet, metal, and plastic. Each type of hanger is better suited to certain types of clothing, especially when you are trying to keep your garments in good shape while saving on space. To choose the best hanger, you need to consider the best material first.

Plastic: Plastic hangers are the most cost-effective and easiest hangers to find. These closet hangers come in a broad range of shapes, sizes, and even colors. Unfortunately, many plastic hangers are not as durable as those made from other materials, particularly when it comes to hanging heavy garments. These are the best hangers for lightweight clothes.

Acrylic: The best hangers to give your wardrobe an upmarket boutique look are acrylic hangers. This is due to their clear design, which creates a polished aesthetic. Acrylic is a reinforced material that is stronger than plastic and can be made to accommodate a variety of garments ranging from skirts to coats and more.

Wooden: The best wooden hangers are durable and long-lasting. They don't bend under the weight of heavy suits and jackets and can also help to prevent your clothes from stretching. It is important to know that wooden hangers have a higher price point and tend to take up more space than others. If you want a fancy clothes hanger, wood is an attractive option that comes in a range of styles and colors, making wood hangers a favorite for open-style wardrobes

Cedar: Wooden hangers made from cedar work the same as regular wood in terms of strength and aesthetic, but also come with additional properties. Cedar is the best wooden hanger for pests and moisture. This is because cedar is a natural pest-repellent and also works to absorb additional moisture. As an added bonus, cedar hangers tend to release a fresh and enjoyable scent.

Metal: If you are looking for a slim hanger, consider metal. These hangers are durable and usually won't become warped by heavy items of clothing, particularly winter jackets and coats. Though they may have a higher price point, metal hangers create a modern aesthetic in your wardrobe as they come in a range of attractive colors and finishes.

Velvet: Another great slim hanger option is velvet due to velvet hangers' thin profiles. Not only does velvet make for fancy clothes hangers, but they are also some of the best hangers for delicate items and accessories such as lingerie, ties, and scarves. Their soft material helps to prevent clothes from ripping, stretching, and slipping off.

Satin: Satin hangers are particularly good for delicate knitwear, evening wear, satin, silk, and even costumes. There are many design options available, with many satin hangers offering additional padding to keep from damaging your clothing. These hangers are however, not suitable for heavy items as they can break under their weight.

Hanger Features

Along with the hanger materials, consider the features that are most appropriate for the garments you will be hanging. Not only do these features help you store your clothing properly, but they can also help to make getting ready just that much easier by keeping your closet in order.

Multilayer: Multilayer hangers are some of the best hangers for small closets or closets with limited access to space. These hangers have one hook to go over the closet rod and multiple layers or descending bars from which several items can be hung. These open-ended, multilayer hangers are the best hangers for pants, as they allow for pants to easily slide on and off from the open ends. Something to bear in mind though, is that these hangers may require an item to be removed in order to get to the bottom layer.

Cascading: Similar to multilayer hangers, cascading hangers help to optimize a smaller closet space by hanging items vertically. Often consisting of one main hanger which then hosts descending hooks for additional hangers, cascading hangers require enough space below the closet railing in order for your clothing to hang freely.

Clips: The best hanger for skirts has clips which hold the garments in place. These hangers are most commonly found in clothing stores as they help to prevent wrinkles and creases on garments. These closet hangers can also be used for pants. It is important that the clips are sturdy but don't pinch too hard as they can cause marks that need to be ironed out. Hangers that come with vinyl or rubber on the interior of the clips are the best way to prevent these indents.

Nonslip Hangers: Nonslip hangers are usually made from velvet or metal that has a rubber-covered arm to prevent clothes from falling off. These are some of the best hangers for slippery fabrics such as silk or satin, as well as strappy tops and dresses. Notches on these hangers' sides are also ideal for keeping straps from falling off.

Moisture- & Insect-Repellent Hangers: Most moisture- and insect-repellent hangers are manufactured from cedar wood. This is because cedar wood has properties that repel pests such as moths, and is also able to absorb excess moisture. This is especially helpful if you live in a humid environment or store your clothing in a damp location.

Intended Use of Hangers

Since some hangers are more suited to specific garments, while others can function as multipurpose, it may be a little easier to choose yours based on the particular items of clothing. If you are unsure of what the best hanger for your wardrobe is, consider the specific items you wish to hang up.

Delicates: The best hangers for delicates such as baby clothes, luxury fabrics, and formal wear, are those made of satin and velvet. These gentle materials help to preserve the integrity of your finespun garments. The padding found in many satin hangers also works to ensure that your delicates are not damaged by the hanger itself.

Dresses, Shirts & Sweaters: There are a number of closet hangers that are suitable for dresses, shirts, and sweaters. Whether you choose velvet, wood, metal, or satin, it is the garment itself that will help to dictate which type of hanger is best. For example, dresses often need notches on the hangers for the straps to hang from, where shirts do well with rounded hangers to prevent stretching in the shoulders. Sweaters can be hung, though they do take up a large amount of space.

Skirts & Pants: The best hangers for pants and skirts usually have clips to allow you to hang them up; this helps you avoid those creases that occur when they aren't properly folded. They are good if you have a lot of closet space. If you don't have ample space, then multilayer hangers are a great alternative for hanging pants as they allow you to easily slide the folded pants out from the open end of the hanger. Hangers with a bar can also be used to accommodate skirts and pants.

Suits & Coats: Suits and coats are heavy items that require a sturdy hanger. More often than not, the best hangers for these winter items are made from durable wood that is stiff and rigid and will not take on the shape of the clothing but rather support it and help it maintain its shape. Thick and curved hangers are also good for suits and coats as the curves protect the form of the garment while providing the support these heavier items require.

Hangers for Accessories

Hangers for accessories usually look a little different to regular hangers.

Ties & Belts: Hangers for ties and belts usually comprise multiple rods to easily slide the accessories on and off. Alternatively, they may have hooks for the belts to thread through.

Scarves: Much the same as multilayer hangers, scarf hangers offer multiple levels from which to hang scarves. It is also possible to get good hangers for scarves that are shaped as hoops or hooks so that the scarves can easily be pulled through.

Purse: Much smaller than any other type, purse hangers are often rounded or curved without the long arms found on a regular hanger. Instead, they are made from sturdy plastic to support the weight of a single or multiple purses in a smaller space while keeping them all together.

Hanger Sizes

The size of the hangers you choose depends on both the items you will be hanging as well as the space you have available.

Baby Clothes: Hangers for baby clothes are under 11" wide. Their smaller size allows them to be gentle on baby clothes due to the fact that larger hangers can stretch the clothes out. Baby clothes hangers help to keep their garments ordered and easy to browse. No new parent wants to rifle through packed drawers when trying to dress their little one.

Kids Clothes: Hangers for kids clothes range between 12" and 14" wide. They are also made for smaller-sized clothes. Appropriately sized hangers for kids' clothes can help them last longer by preventing stretching. These hangers often feature hooks and slots that are great for the loops on kids clothing or accessories.

Petite: Petite hangers range between 15" and 16" wide. These hangers are specifically sized to fit petite fashion items as well as delicates and lingerie. Petite hangers are designed to save and protect your more fragile clothing items.

Standard: The most common, or standard-sized hanger is usually between 17" and 18" wide. These hangers are all-purpose and intended for most types of clothing. Standard hangers come in a wide range of materials and designs, allowing you to be more selective with which ones you choose.

Oversized: At 19" wide and wider, oversized hangers are good for heavy coats because they are sturdy and broad, making them less likely to bend under the weight of these items. Oversized hangers also help to maintain the shape of these jackets and coats.

Tips for Choosing the Best Hangers

• If you are especially short on space, you may need to be selective about the items you choose to hang. Garments such as jeans, T-shirts, and some sweaters can be folded to help save on hanging space.
• Try to avoid poor quality hangers that can break easily and potentially damage your clothing.
• Avoid hanging items made from stretchy material as hanging them can potentially cause them to lose their shape.
• Choosing the correct-sized hanger is important because a hanger that is too small can ruin the shape of your clothing after long enough. A hanger that is too large can stretch your garments out, and a hanger that is too narrow can cause indents on the shoulders of your shirts.
• Hangers with a wide shoulder yoke are ideal for supporting heavy garments such as coats and suits.
• It is a good idea to hang the following items: dresses, pants (dress and casual), dress shirts, blouses, flowing garments, satin, silk, cotton, linen, sweatshirts, pleated garments, lightweight items, blazers, jackets, coats, and any garments that are prone to wrinkling.
• It's possible to fold the following items: knitwear and thick sweaters, jersey, cardigans, shorts, activewear, Lycra, cashmere, T-shirts of synthetic materials, stretchy clothes, and embellished garments.

For our top picks, check out our Best Hangers to Streamline Your Wardrobe Guide.

Bring order back to your wardrobe with the best hanger.