How Wide Do Hangers Need to Be? We Did the Research For You
When it comes to hangers, size matters. The width of your clothes hangers impacts everything from closet organization to garment care. But with so many options on the market, how do you know what width is best?
We've dug into the details so you can pick the perfect hanger widths for your needs. Read on for information on standard sizes, specialty variations, and expert tips for space-saving solutions.
Types of Clothing Hangers
Hangers come in all shapes and sizes depending on their intended use. First, let's break down the main categories before diving into exact width recommendations.
Standard Adult Hangers
The majority of everyday adult hangers measure between 16 and 18 inches wide. These accommodate lighter-weight shirts, blouses, sweaters, and dresses in standard sizes. The high-quality wood or plastic handles classic closet staples without excess strain.
Look for corrosion-resistant metal hooks that glide smoothly along your closet rod. Seek durable construction that will hold up well to regular use without bending or breaking.
Children's Hangers
Made smaller to suit kids' clothing, children's hangers span an average width of 11 to 14 inches. The narrowed proportions prevent tiny garments from stretching across a hanger that's too broad. The compact size also leaves room for a child to grow into the same hangers over time.
Padding is an optional extra for preventing imprints on a child's delicate shoulders. But for the most part, simple slimmed-down versions of adult hangers suffice for early elementary ages.
Specialty Hangers
Beyond standard shirts and dresses, specialty hangers accommodate specific garments in your wardrobe. From heavy coats to delicate silks, customized dimensions retain the shape and structure of different fabrics and styles.
For example, wide suit hangers evenly distribute weight across jacket shoulders. Thick velvet pants hangers prevent creasing at the waistband. Skirt and scarf hangers feature clamp bars to keep fabrics in place. And lingerie hangers have narrow widths and padded hooks to protect delicate materials.
Investing in the right specialty hangers saves you from improvising solutions and causing permanent damage over time. Having the proper storage equipment also streamlines seasonal packing and closet organization.
Width Considerations
Hanger widths go beyond clothing sizes and styles. You also want to factor in closet configuration, garment care, and convenience of use when selecting the best dimensions for your needs.
Closet Space Optimization
Do you have an overstuffed closet or live in a small space? Narrow and sectioned hangers allow you to store more items in less linear footage. For example, subdivided shirts hangers contain multiple built-in bars for hanging tops vertically. And stackable hangers let you double up layers while keeping clothing neat and wrinkle-free.
In more spacious closets, wider luxury hangers give garments room to breathe without crowding. The heavy-duty versions minimize slipping and accidents from bumping into neighboring outfits. Expanded widths also reduce creases from hangers putting too much pressure on the shoulders of hanging garments.
Preventing Garment Damage
A hanger that's too narrow can strain clothing fabric and warp permanent ridges into the shoulders of your favorite tops and jackets. On the other hand, excessively wide options allow thin straps and delicates to slip right off the sides.
Choosing the Goldilocks width keeps seams safely centered while preventing excess friction over time. The ideal fit also enables hangers to easily slide along the closet rod without catching and tearing delicate materials.
Seeking out non-slip hangers is another preventative measure for avoiding floor mishaps. Look for grooved surfaces or flocked coatings that grip smooth fabrics and keep them stable in position.
Ease of Use
On a practical level, the best hangers smoothly pivot in and out of your closet space. Rounded edges navigate tightly packed rows without snagging. High-grade swiveling hooks make grabbing clothes a cinch. Sturdy construction shouldn't bend, twist or crack under the weight of heavier items.
Optimal proportions also ensure garments don't disappear behind other articles on the rod or get lost in the abyss of your closet. You want to easily view contents at a glance. And having the ideal shoulder shape prevents bumps from sloped or pointed extremes getting caught on clothing as you slide hangers side to side.
Standard Width Recommendations
As a general guideline, here are typical width measurements suited to common garment types:
- Everyday shirts, blouses, sweaters: 16 to 18 inches
- Suits, sports jackets, coats: 18 to 22 inches
- Pants and skirts: 18 to 20 inches
- Childrens clothing: 11 to 14 inches
- Delicate fabrics: 13 to 15 inches
However, minor width adjustments often better suit regional environmental factors:
- Humid climates: Go up 1 size category to prevent moisture damage
- Dry heat: Go down 1 size for lighter garment weights
Additionally, fabric type and closet configuration may require tweaked proportions:
- Bulky fabrics: Size up for wool, felt, etc. to avoid misshaping
- Sheer fabrics: Size down for silks, chiffon to prevent strain
- Tight closet space: Compact hangers maximize rod usage
- Ample storage: Broader hangers prevent crowding
Getting the exact measures suited to your climate, closet, and wardrobe takes the guesswork out of keeping favorite outfits looking their best for seasons to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of questions when it comes to demystifying optimal hanger widths. Here are quick answers to some of the most common inquiries:
How wide are standard adult clothes hangers?
The average width for adult clothes hangers is 16 to 18 inches. This gives enough room for the shoulders of tops, dresses, and lightweight sweaters commonly worn by grown men and women.
What width should I choose for children's clothing hangers?
Look for children's hanger widths between 11 and 14 inches. The narrower proportions prevent tiny garments from stretching while leaving space to grow into over time.
Do I need special hangers for items like suits or pants?
Yes, specialty hangers designed for specific garments have customized widths to best maintain their shape and structure. For example, suit hangers tend to run 18-22 inches while velvet pants hangers measure around 18-20 inches.
How do I know if a hanger is too narrow or too wide?
If hangers leave impressions, strain fabric at the shoulders, or cause damage over time, they're likely too narrow. Hangers that allow garments to slip off the sides or get buried behind other items are often too wide for the job.
Sectioned, subdivided, or stackable hangers maximize linear rod space in cramped closets. But focus on proper shoulder fit first before sizing down to cram more wares. Proportions that are too small can harm clothing over time.
We hope these tidbits give you a better feel for selecting hangers with ideal dimensions for your unique storage needs. Sizing up to the task leads to happy garments and hassle-free organization all season long!