How to Hang a Sweater Dress

Sweater dresses are an effortless way to achieve that coveted ‘cool girl’ look that we all hope to achieve in the fall and winter months. However, this is easier said than done. Whether you’re a fashion blogger constantly on the hunt for the next new trend, a DIY fashion blogger brimming with style tips, or an eco-consumer who desires durable and long-lasting clothing, there’s an art to knowing how to hang your sweaters so that they are properly cared for and stylish. From choosing the appropriate type of hanger to styling your knitwear, we’re here to reveal everything you need to know about how to hang a sweater dress and stay in great condition while remaining on-trend.

Why Proper Storage is Essential

But before we get into that, it’s important to ask why your sweater dress needs special treatment at all. Because (as we’re very sorry to inform you), those knits aren’t that hanger-friendly. They’re delicate. They stretch out if placed in the wrong hanger. Or their shoulders park into unnatural contours. Or holes develop, just in the parts where you showered that dress with kisses. Proper storage won’t just make this piece look pretty, it will extend the life and wear of something you love.

Choosing the Right Hangers

Material Matters

The hangers you put your sweater dress on can make all the difference in how the dress looks and will look years from now; it’s worth using wood, padded, or velvet hangers for their soft surface, good support and not damaging the sweater during the pinching.

Avoiding Stretch and Shoulder Bumps

The garment will eventually stretch on a wire hanger when hung, which will end up looking distorted and hard to recover from the original shape. The width and padding on a hanger spread the weight of a garment which rounds off any shoulder bumps that could cause a permanent crease in the shoulder line, difficult to remove.

Hanging Techniques

Fold vs. Hang: Pros and Cons

Hanging (generally a good idea if you’re keen to preserve the shape of your sweater dress) will ensure that it retains its shape. Extreme folding (in half or even with the sleeves tucked in is going to lead to creasing that is near impossible to iron out.

Using Garment Bags for Protection

Garment bags are good for long-term storage, or for dresses that you aren’t going to wear for a while.

Organizing Your Closet

Seasonal Rotation

A seasonal rotation can reduce overstress on any given sweater dress – so if it’s off-season, give it a rest from hanging and store it flat, folded.

Space-Saving Tips

Since knits are bulkier than wovens, and therefore take up more space in a closet, you want to maximize what you can fit. Space-efficient hangers, such as tiered ones, or creative methods such as folding your dress over a hanger to reduce the length of space it takes on the closet rod can come in handy.

Styling Tips

A sweater dress is a versatile and fashionable outfit, but it’s important to know how to hang it so that it does not stretch, distort, or get damaged. Here are some styling tips to help you hang your sweater dress properly so that it stays stylish and keeps its shape.

Choose the Right Hanger

The best sweater dress hanger is one that will maintain your dress’s shape while you’re not wearing it. For most sweater dresses, you’ll want to go with a plastic padded or fabric-covered hanger because it provides the most gentle support available. Hang your sweater dresses on hangers with no wire for a similar reason. Wire hangers can indent fabric and stretch it out from the constricting shape. For heavier or larger sweater dresses, the same idea applies. A wide-shouldered, thicker hanger will support the dress’s weight more evenly, and reduce the risk of stretching.

Use Proper Hanging Techniques

To keep your sweater dress from stretching out, be sure to hang it properly. Make sure that all of your buttons or zippers are fastened before handing your dress so that it doesn’t hang sideways. Never hang it by the shoulders. Making sure you always hang it by the body so that it can hang naturally.

Avoid Overloading Your Closet

Closets will also feel cramped when clothes are stuffed together so densely that they become smooshed and distorted. Allow enough upright space between items of clothing so your sweater dress can hang. Neither elevated nor hoisted with its wrinkles but standing straight and unsmoothed. Proper spacing also helps the fabric stay secure in its original shape. Stray creases and wrinkles can be unwanted and difficult to rectify.

Consider Using Garment Bags

Consider throwing in an additional barrier of protection, especially for a sensitive or pricey sweater dress. A clear, breathable garment bag (perhaps with its own padded hanger) will keep your dress from collecting dust and snags and circulating air and provide an extra layer of protection. Make sure the bag is sizeable enough to accommodate the garment without squishing it in.

Store in a Cool, Dry Place

Hang your sweater dress in a cool, dry area away from sunlight and heat sources. Doing so will allow it to last as long as possible. Too much heat and exposure to direct sunlight will make the fabric gradually fade and deteriorate. If possible, hang it in a well-ventilated closet.

Refresh Regularly

Even if you use proper hanging techniques, a sweater dress can wrinkle, or lose its shape. Check the dress periodically and steam it to even out the creases. If you can hang the garment, or put it into a steamy bathroom. You can freshen it up without harming the fabric.

Avoid Hanging for Long Periods: How to Hang a Sweater Dress

Hanging is a great way to store your sweater dress for the short but if left there for a length of time. The weight of the fabric will cause stretching so you may also want to rotate your sweater dress. As part of your wardrobe, and if you’re not going to wear a sweater dress. For a long period, you may want to fold it.

Check for Fabric-Specific Care Instructions

For example, different fabrics may require different treatments, so always check the label to see if there’s a special hanging method or storage instructions mentioned for your sweater dress. Several fabrics may benefit from special handling, or have special requirements for shirt storage.

Maintenance and Care

Washing Instructions

Always check the care label of your sweater dress for special washing instructions. But it is usually best to hand wash it or use the delicate cycle with cold water to maintain the fabric.

Preventing Pilling and Snagging

Splurge on a quality fabric shaver to combat pilling; but be careful with sharp jewelry, accessories, or items such as top buttons (a common trap for a strap) that might snag the knit.

The Eco-Friendly Twist: How to Hang a Sweater Dress

For those who are green-minded, there are biodegradable hangers. Look for recycled plastic hangers, or those made from bamboo or upcycled materials.

DIY Care Techniques

For mild problems such as slight pilling, just shave the fabric gently with a disposable razor. Use it with a taut piece of fabric, moving only in one direction.

Visual Demonstrations

When it comes to hanging a sweater dress, it can be helpful to watch a demonstration to get it right. There are plenty of online resources that outline the steps to take to find someone who does it well. And shares a detailed ‘how-to’ video or step-by-step infographic.

Conclusion

How you care for and store your sweater dress shows your level of dedication to being stylish and a good steward of your wardrobe. I hope these tips are both cool and responsible. Always remember that the sweater dress is the perfect combination of comfy and chic.

Hanging up your sweater dress correctly is crucial to ensure you save money on a stunning piece. You can enjoy many seasons in a row. With the right hanger, in the right position, and in the right place, you are ensured that your dress will return season after season in all its glory and beauty. So you can look stylish over and over again.

So go right ahead, hang away, and try to be stylish about it! Another practical tip: If you are hanging up a sweater dress, think weight. A heavier knit dress will need a stronger hanger, and possibly two – as opposed to a lightweight, summery sweater dress, which can easily hang on one hanger.