Hanging or folding

Short answer: Hang what creases and fold what stretches. Woven garments hang well, while knitted garments are pulled long by their own weight, so they belong folded in a drawer or on a shelf.

Woven or knitted

The first question is how the fabric is made. Woven fabric has threads that cross and sit firmly, while knit is made of loops that give way. If you can feel the fabric stretch in all directions, it is knit, and then the garment belongs in the drawer or on the shelf.

What should hang

Shirts, dresses, trousers with pressed creases and anything woven that looks bad with creases should hang. Woven fabrics keep their shape when hanging, because the threads sit firmly in the weave. When they hang, the creases often fall out on their own. See also the bamboo shirt for men.

What should be folded

Knitted garments like sweatshirts, t-shirts and anything in jersey should be folded. Knit gives way to weight, and a hanger makes bumps in the shoulders that do not go away again. Lay them flat in a stack or stand them upright in a drawer. See also bamboo clothing for women.

Why the hanger makes bumps

A hanger has a narrow edge, and the whole weight of the garment rests on two small points at the shoulders. In knit the fabric is pulled down over the edge, and a point appears that stays, even when the garment lies in the wardrobe. It is easy to avoid by folding the garment.

The borderline cases

Thin t-shirts can hang for a short time without harm, because they do not weigh enough to pull themselves long. If they hang a whole season, it still shows in the shoulders. If you are unsure, fold them. See also sweatwear in bamboo, where knit is the rule and not the exception.

Trousers

Trousers with pressed creases hang best in a trouser clip or over the bar of the hanger, so the crease follows the leg. Loose trousers in soft fabric can be folded. If the trousers have elastic in the waist, avoid hanging them by the waist, because the weight pulls the elastic out of shape.

Dresses

Dresses in woven fabric hang fine, while dresses in jersey should be folded, because jersey is pulled long by its own weight. It is easy to tell by whether the dress falls heavy and soft or stands out stiffly. Soft, heavy fabric is usually knit and belongs in the drawer.

When you lack space

If you have too little room to fold everything, hang the woven garments and fold only the knitted ones. If the wardrobe is full, rather use an extra drawer than hang knit. A drawer costs less than garments pulled out of shape by hanging.

Season change and storage

For storage over a longer time the same rule applies. Fold knit in a box or a bag, and hang shirts and dresses so they do not crease. Put a clean piece of paper between the layers, so the fabric can breathe, and avoid packing things too tightly together.

Frequently asked questions

How long may knit hang?

A day or two rarely does harm. A whole season does. If you want to hang knit briefly, use a hanger with broad shoulders so the weight is spread.

Can you hang trousers?

Yes, over the bar or with clips at the waist. Trousers with pressed creases hang best, because the crease follows the leg, and they do not need ironing afterwards.