Choosing the right hanger

Some things in life just work better when they’re supported properly like your coat, your favourite blouse, the trousers that fit you perfectly. This isn’t a grand guide to wardrobe design, just a calm, practical look at which hangers help your clothes last longer and look better.

You probably already know this: those thin wire hangers that come back from the dry cleaner aren’t really designed for long-term use. They are fine for getting a garment home but if left too long, they can bend or even stretch a shoulder seam without you realising.

We have seen it happen more than once. A carefully cleaned coat, hung in a damp hallway cupboard on a wire frame… six months later, the shape’s changed and the collar's begun to soften.

The better option? A hanger that suits the garment: not just the rail.

Here’s how we tend to think about it:

• Velvet hangers are excellent for finer items: silk blouses, slinky dresses or anything prone to slipping off smoother surfaces. That slightly soft texture helps hold things in place without tugging at the fabric. Please ensure the garment’s completely dry before hanging. Velvet can sometimes transfer colour if there’s any dampness left in the seams.

• Satin hangers are traditional. They are often used for lightweight, wrinkle-prone pieces such as occasion blouses or day dresses. They don’t hold much weight but they do help maintain that ‘just pressed’ look without leaving shoulder marks.

• Wooden hangers are the ones we recommend most often for suits, coats and jackets. Strong, balanced, and cut to match the curve of a proper shoulder seam, they help a garment keep its shape long after it’s been worn. You don’t need dozens. Just one good one per garment is sufficient.

• Padded hangers suit knitwear or anything with a softer structure like: cashmere jumpers, loose cardigans or eveningwear that could pull under its own weight. The padding gives it a gentle base, helping reduce hanger bumps and keeping delicate fabric from stretching.

• Plastic tubular hangers are fine for T-shirts and everyday shirts but only if they’re decent quality. The ones that come bundled in supermarket packs tend to bend quickly. Over time, they’re not much better than wire.

Shape matters too. A flat hanger is a space-saver, good for casual items. But a contoured hanger provides much better support for tailored or structured items.

Some helpful extras:

. Trouser bars for suits

. Shoulder flairs for heavier coats

. Clips for skirts

. Strap notches for dresses that tend to slip

A few minutes setting up the right hangers at home means your freshly cleaned items can go straight from bag to wardrobe... no ironing, no re-folding, no creases to deal with next time you need it.

And when your dry cleaning comes back…

One last thing we often suggest: take the plastic off when you get home. It protects your clothes during transit but it’s not designed for storage. If left on too long, it can trap moisture or cause certain fabrics to dull.

So whether it’s your winter coat, an event dress, or a pair of trousers you haven’t worn in a while, it’s worth a moment’s thought before you hang it back up. After all, you’ve gone to the trouble of having it cleaned. Let’s help it stay that way.

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📍 Farthings Dry Cleaners Cambridge

143 Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1XE

📞 Call us: 01223 755180

🕒 Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–4pm | Sat 8:30am–3pm

🗺️ Get directions to our Cambridge Branch

📍 Farthings Dry Cleaners Trumpington

 1 Anstey Way, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 9JE

📞 Call us: 01223 625310

🕒 Opening Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–4pm | Sat 8:30am–3pm

🗺️ Get directions to our Trumpington Branch

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✨ Who is Farthings Dry Cleaners? Farthings Dry Cleaners is known as Cambridge and Trumpington's most sought-after dry cleaners. It's the ideal home for your high-end garments preservation and alteration to be cared for, helping them last as long as possible and always making you look stunning. Trust Farthings — where your garments are cared for like couture.