How to Hang Sweaters in a Closet

October 4, 2010

Without those awful shoulder bumps!

While I was moving the other month, I began to unearth drawers full of cardigans I had not worn in months. Poor little neglected sweaters! They had somehow reached the bottom of the drawer, completely covered by everything else I had stuffed in there, and outta sight, outta mind.

I know you’re not supposed to hang your sweaters, because they get those awful hangar indentations in the shoulder, but there had to be a better way to store them so they don’t get lost in a drawer again. I like to see my clothes all laid out in front of me, and a drawer just wasn’t doing it for me anymore.

So, like every person in need of closet furnishings…I went to Bed Bath & Beyond!

And look what I found…

I just so happen to use flocked slimline hangers, and these shoulder shapers slide onto slimline hangers, to give it a width suitable enough for hanging sweaters. I bought a few packs to give them a shot and hung up some of my more delicate sweaters as a test.

The results…no hanger indentations!

I’ve been using them for about a month now and am so happy I found these. My sweaters are hanging happily in my closet, within eyesight so I can pull which ever one I want easily. Even my most delicate wide weave cashmere blend cardigan is holding up beautifully.The downside: These things are wide! Almost defeats the purpose of getting “slim” hangers. Luckily, I have a spacious closet at the moment, so I’m able to dedicate a lot of space for my sweaters. But if you’re pressed for space, it might be difficult hanging many sweaters in a tiny closet with these.

———-

I found these at Bed Bath & Beyond on sale, because apparently they are discontinuing this product in stores. If you can find these in stores, I only paid $2.99 a pack (enough for 2 hangers). I went back and bought a bunch, but may end up buying a bunch more now that I see they’re being discontinued.

Luckily, I’ve found them on Amazon:

For slimline hangers: 6 shapers (3 hangers) for $8.95 at Amazon

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  • curls-and-pearls

    hmmm..yeah unfortunately my closet is stuffed already as it is. Good find though!

  • simplyvonne

    oOoh now that's pretty cool!

  • Callandra

    All right Kelly! – You Rock!! I am a devote sweater hanger too, but when I switched to slimline hangers last winter I folded all my sweaters away in a drawer so their shoulders would remain in good condition. I don't much care for this method (out of sight, out of mind) like you said. I'm definitely getting some of those shoulder shapers! Thanks!!!

  • Jess

    This is a great tip! This is terrible but I usually hang my sweaters up with one end of the hanger on the shoulder seam and one end down the sleeve lol…it works to get rid of shoulder bumps but also looks really unsightly. Thanks for the tip!

  • Anonymous

    Great solution!! I just threw on a sweater the other day thanks to a cool down in weather and kept having to tug my sleeve down due to a sweater bump. :( –J

  • elleandish

    yup I suffer from a teeny closet as well so I'll just have to stick with folding :( sigh

  • Em

    Wonderful tip! I'm so glad they make these things now…someone finally smartened up to the fact that regular hangers just don't cut it.

  • Stylepint

    Those are pretty awesome, but I love my current shelving method since I can see all my sweaters in a little cubby. But when I move away from the cubbies, I might need to get these so my sweaters don't droop.

  • Claud

    Great find. Thanks for sharing. I need to get some for sure :)

  • SugarNikita

    Thanks for the info! My cardigans are always getting those awful lumps. I think I need to make a Bed Bath and Beyond trip…

  • PetiteXXS

    I think I've probably already told you, but I'm still using my Children's Slimline Hangers to hang my sweaters and they're working out really well! No falling off and no annoying bumps, and plus they're slim and space efficient! :)

  • Anonymous

    Shoulder nipples!!! That's what I call those unsightly shoulder bumps. I often get them in shirts that I hang up to drip dry. What do you think the shapers would be like if they got damp?

  • Bianca

    I actually wear my cardigans enough that they never get the indentations. I hang all my cardis, and I have a ton of them. Maybe instead of buying more shoulder shapers, just use these on the ones that you wear less often, and start wearing those sweaters! :-)

  • Anonymous

    I have a large wooden bookshelf at the end of my main closet and fold my and my hubby's sweaters onto it by color–just like at the department stores. Of course, I have tons of clothing, so I also hang mine and don't have a problem with the bumps. I use hangers like those at the nice department stores (plastic bottom and swivel metal top). The kid's hanger idea above is great too. I do get bumps on my sweaters with the wider plastic tube hangers that I use in the basement when hanging my sweaters to dry (as I don't have space to lay them all flat). I've just started using my children's hangers for this with no problems.

  • Trina, LA Personal Stylist

    I just recommended to a style client last week to use her vertical closet space for sweaters. You can purchase wide hanging shoe holders and fold/store sweaters in those. These are available for under $20 at the Container Store or at Ikea for even less. The front is open so the effect is that of having drawers without doors – everything is visible and accessible and you save on hanging space if that's an issue.

  • Tanisha

    The product is not being discontinued. The package was changing. Bed Bath and Beyond still has these shoulder shapers for $4.99. They are also great for delicate dresses, blazers, and coats.

  • Anonymous

    I fold my sweaters and hang them across the bar. It takes up a little more room, but no special pads needed.

  • Anonymous

    I fold my sweaters and hang them across the bar. It takes up a little more room, but no special pads needed.

  • Trina, LA Personal Stylist

    I just recommended to a style client last week to use her vertical closet space for sweaters. You can purchase wide hanging shoe holders and fold/store sweaters in those. These are available for under $20 at the Container Store or at Ikea for even less. The front is open so the effect is that of having drawers without doors – everything is visible and accessible and you save on hanging space if that's an issue.

  • Em

    Wonderful tip! I'm so glad they make these things now…someone finally smartened up to the fact that regular hangers just don't cut it.

  • SugarNikita

    Thanks for the info! My cardigans are always getting those awful lumps. I think I need to make a Bed Bath and Beyond trip…

  • simplyvonne

    oOoh now that's pretty cool!

  • curls-and-pearls

    hmmm..yeah unfortunately my closet is stuffed already as it is. Good find though!

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