Choosing coat hangers for ordinary shirts or jackets is easy — but when it comes to garments with straps or unusual shapes, such as dresses, camisoles, silk tops, jumpsuits, ball gowns or even camel-back dresses, the wrong hanger can easily cause stretching, slipping, sagging or fabric damage.

Non-standard garments require specialised support, and using the right hangers makes a dramatic difference in how your clothes look, how long they last, and how well they hold their shape in your wardrobe.

This detailed guide explains how to choose the best hangers for straps, silky fabrics, evening wear, heavy dresses and uniquely shaped garments. With the right hanger selection, you can keep your wardrobe organised and protect your most delicate items from damage.

Understanding Why Special Garments Need Special Hangers

Strappy tops, silk dresses, lingerie pieces and uniquely structured garments all have one thing in common: they are at high risk of slipping or stretching if hung on basic hangers.

These garments often feature:

• Thin or delicate straps
• Deep necklines
• Slippery fabrics like satin and silk
• Heavy beadwork or embellishment
• Asymmetrical or open-back designs
• Unusual weight distribution
• High value or sentimental value

Traditional hangers — especially wire or smooth plastic — do not provide enough grip or contour to support them properly.

Choosing the correct hanger prevents:

✓ Fabric distortion
✓ Strap stretching
✓ Garments falling to the floor
✓ Strap breakage
✓ Seam strain
✓ Shoulder bumps
✓ Permanent creases

Specialised hangers protect garment structure while keeping your wardrobe neat.

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Hangers With Shoulder Notches: Your First Line of Defence

One of the simplest and most effective hanger designs is the hanger with shoulder notches. These small indentations catch straps securely so they don’t slide off.

Best for garments such as:

• Camisoles
• Slip dresses
• Sundresses
• Lingerie tops
• Light summer dresses
• Jumpsuits with straps
• Tank tops

Why they’re effective

• They stop thin straps from slipping
• They keep garments centred on the hanger
• They prevent friction that causes stretching
• They maintain garment symmetry

Shoulder-notch hangers come in wood, velvet, plastic and metal options. For silk or satin items, velvet notched hangers deliver the highest grip.

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Velvet-Coated Hangers: Best for Slippery Fabrics

Silk, satin, chiffon and rayon garments have one big challenge — they slip off nearly every smooth-surface hanger.

Velvet hangers solve this instantly.

Advantages of velvet-coated hangers:

• High friction surface keeps fabric in place
• Slimline design maximises wardrobe space
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Ideal for delicate, slippery or drapey garments
• Works for strapless or off-shoulder items with careful positioning

Ideal garments for velvet hangers:

• Silk dresses
• Satin gowns
• Rayon tops
• Wrap dresses
• Slip skirts
• Bias-cut garments
• Cocktail dresses

The velvet surface grips the garment without pulling or damaging fibres. This makes them perfect for day-to-day delicate wear.

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Clip Hangers for Strapless and Structured Pieces

Some garments cannot be hung from the shoulders at all. Strapless dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and wide-neck designs all require clip hangers for proper support.

When to use clip hangers

• Strapless dresses
• Ball gowns
• Heavy skirts
• Pencil skirts
• Jumpsuits
• Garments with decorative straps
• Embellished dresses you don’t want stretched

What to look for

• Soft plastic or felt lining to prevent “clip marks”
• Strong grip tension for heavy garments
• Adjustable clip spacing for different garment widths

Tip: For delicate fabrics, place a small piece of cotton or felt between the clip and garment for extra protection.

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Wide-Shoulder and Contoured Hangers for Heavy Dresses

Ball gowns, formal wear, wedding dresses and camel-back dresses require structure for proper long-term storage. Standard thin hangers cannot support these garments — they collapse under weight or cause muscle-like “shoulder bumps.”

Benefits of wide-shoulder hangers:

• Distribute weight evenly
• Maintain the garment’s natural shape
• Prevent shoulder stretching
• Support heavier fabrics and embellishments
• Ideal for long-term storage

Best materials for wide-shoulder hangers:

• Solid wood
• Thick padded hangers
• Reinforced ABS plastic hangers

These are ideal for heavy garments such as:

• Ball gowns
• Cocktail dresses
• Long evening gowns
• Camel-back dresses
• Wool or velvet dresses
• Jeweled or sequined pieces

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Padded Hangers: Gentle Support for Delicate and Special Garments

Padded hangers add a layer of cushioning that protects delicate fabrics and prevents dents from sharp hanger edges.

Perfect for:

• Lingerie
• Silk dresses
• Embellished garments
• Vintage clothing
• Beaded dresses
• Bridesmaid dresses
• Lace garments

Why padded hangers work well

• Prevent fabric creasing
• Add gentle shape retention
• Reduce pressure points
• Protect trims and embellishments

They are often covered in satin or soft cotton and feel luxurious while providing functional support.

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Choosing the Right Coat Hangers for Each Dress Type

Below is a quick guide to pair the right hanger with each type of garment:

Slip Dresses & Silk Dresses

✓ Velvet notched hanger
✓ Prevents slipping
✓ Maintains shape

Strappy Sundresses & Camisoles

✓ Shoulder-notch hanger
✓ Keeps straps centred

Ball Gowns & Heavy Dresses

✓ Wide-shoulder wooden coat hangers
✓ Holds weight and structure

Strapless Dresses

✓ Clip hangers with padded grips

Beaded or Embellished Dresses

✓ Padded hangers for gentleness
✓ Clip hangers for weight

Camel-Back Dresses (structured back curve)

✓ Contoured hanger to support the dress arc

Choosing the correct hanger prevents stress on seams and reduces the risk of stretching.

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How to Store Odd-Shaped Dresses Safely

Odd-shaped dresses — ones with exaggerated hips, open backs, curve panels or sculptural structure — often require special attention.

Storage tips:

• Avoid thin coat hangers
• Support the garment’s weight with contoured shapes
• Add tissue padding where needed
• Use garment bags for dust protection
• Store away from sunlight to avoid fading
• Avoid overcrowding to protect shape

These garments benefit most from wide, contoured or padded hangers that match their unique silhouette.

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Long-Term Storage Tips for Special Dresses

Whether you’re storing a formal gown, a costume piece or a sentimental garment, proper long-term care matters.

Do:

• Use breathable garment bags
• Hang dresses only when the structure supports it
• Use a reinforced coat hangers
• Keep dresses away from moisture
• Fasten zippers or buttons to reduce pulling

Don’t:

• Vacuum-seal structured dresses — they will collapse
• Use wire hangers
• Hang dresses by straps alone
• Store in plastic bags

Long-term hanger choice influences how well the dress maintains its silhouette over years.