Hangers that do not leave marks in the shoulder

Short answer: Choose wide hangers with rounded ends. Narrow wire hangers push the fabric into a point and leave a mark that does not go away.

Why the mark appears

A narrow hanger carries the whole weight of the garment on a couple of centimetres. The fabric is stretched locally exactly there, and after months the stretch is permanent. The heavier the garment, the faster it happens.

What to choose

Wide hangers in wood or plastic with rounded ends spread the weight. For heavy garments, width matters more than material. See bamboo shirts for men.

Hangers with grip

Velvet covered hangers hold garments with wide necklines so they do not slip off. For thin bamboo fabrics that is a practical detail. See bamboo dresses and bamboo clothing for women.

Frequently asked questions

Can a hanger mark be fixed

Steam the area and ease the fabric back into shape. If the stretch is old, some of it stays.

Should everything hang on a hanger

No. Knitted garments belong on a shelf however good the hanger is.

Are wooden hangers better than plastic

Not necessarily. The width and the rounded end matter more than the material.