You might not be surprised that many consumers have closets filled with wire hangers they’ve acquired from a dry cleaner. It makes sense, considering they’re included in the cost of laundering and people assume all hangers are created equal.
However, as a clothing retailer, you probably know that certain types of hangers are better for different fabrics to prevent any damage to the merchandise. If items spend too much time on a hanger that’s made from an incorrect material or is shaped for another purpose, they may develop tears or become stretched out beyond repair. The next time you evaluate your store’s selection of hangers, consider these important tips.
Jackets
Whether we’re talking suit jackets or outerwear, it’s best to use wooden hangers for heavy garments. The material is more durable, so you know the hangers won’t break or become misshapen under the weight of warm coats. Ideally, the hangers will flare out toward the end to maintain the shape of the jackets’ shoulders.
Brighten your store with colored hangers.There are more options for wooden hangers than you probably realize. From eco-friendly choices such as bamboo and sugarcane hangers to stylish colored hangers, your store’s clothes racks will look better than ever. Eco-friendly hangers are great for your business and Mother Nature because they’re made from sustainable materials and reduce the need to create plastic, which pollutes the environment.
If you’re hanging entire suits, it’s a good idea to choose wooden hangers that have clamps to secure the matching pants. Using this type of skirt and trouser hanger will eliminate wrinkles that can form when you fold pants over a hanger’s bar. However, pants made from linen or other fine fabrics may be damaged by hanger clamps, in which case you should drape them over the bar.
Delicates
For retailers that stock undergarments, silky shirts or velvet merchandise, wooden hangers aren’t the best choice.
Fragile fabrics such as silk and velvet should be hung on padded hangers. The soft material prevents creases from forming in the shoulders and padding ensures there won’t be any tears. These padded hangers shouldn’t be used for other types of clothing, such as suits or dresses, because the garments will likely slip off and end up on the floor. If you sell lingerie in your store, invest in special chrome lingerie hangers. With indents to secure the garment’s straps, you can be sure your products won’t be sliding onto the floor. There are also hangers for displaying bras and underwear in your undergarments section.
Oftentimes lightweight sweaters should be considered delicate when you’re choosing hangers, as they’re most likely to maintain the creases caused by hangers. Sweater hangers that have a unique curved shape and specially formulated non-slip plastic are ideal for your softer fabrics.
“There are smaller hangers for children’s clothing.”
General advice
As we touched on above, one of the most important aspects to pay attention to is whether your hangers create creases in the shoulders. It’s obvious when someone didn’t use the correct style or shape of hanger when his or her shirt pokes out on the arms long after its been taken out of the closet. That being said, some merchandise may be better off on display tables or shelving units.
When you order new hangers for your store, don’t forget to check the various sizes offered. For example, there are smaller hangers for children’s clothing that won’t be as effective in the women’s or men’s sections.
