As garment makers, we come into contact with fabrics and final goods every single day. This makes us look on what a hanger has to be in a special way. Below, we delve into the most popular materials. We won’t just cover their merits and shortcomings, we’ll also find out what separates high-quality from low-quality from a production perspective.

Wooden Hangers: The Craftsmanship Standard

Hangers: Wooden ones do the best job supporting, and also look better. They are great for heavy or structured clothes, and certain woods like cedar repel moths and absorb moisture.

Their primary weaknesses are their expense. They also take up space in a closet.

Hanger Manufacture Insight: A good quality wooden hanger is not solely about the wood type (beech, cedar, lotus). Seek a smooth, multi-layered finish with no rough edges that would snag fine fabrics. There should be no wobble at the point where the metal hook enters the wood— it should be snug.

Plastic Hangers: The Versatile Workhorse

Plastic hangers are inexpensive, light and impervious to moisture. That makes them great for everyday items such as t shirts and blouses.

But they don’t carry much weight. Cheap plastic can bend, leading to shoulder bumps, and they break over time.

Manufacturing Wisdom: There is a world of difference between flimsy and bare minimum plastic versus ABS or PP plastic. A properly constructed plastic hanger has reinforced stress points, and it usually has useful design elements like notches or rubber grips. We recommend testing for flex — it should bend slightly, but not feel brittle.

Velvet (Flocked) Hangers: The Non-Slip Specialist

Velvet hangers have a fantastic non-slip surface and this is their main advantage. They are ideal for silk blouses, camisoles and other slippery fabrics. Their lightweight profile is a space saver, too.

On the plus side, they aren’t bad for heavy coats. The fuzzy coating can also rub off on light-colored clothing in the humidity, and it tends to collect dust and lint.

Manufacturer’s Insight: Cheaper velvet hangers use a thin flocking glue. Cheap ones quickly lose their velvet and leave fuzz on your clothes and the floor of your closet. An easy test is to run your hand across it; it should feel thick and full, with little or no shedding.

Metal Hangers: Sleek, Strong, and Modern

Good quality metal hangers, particularly stainless steel or aluminum, are super strong and durable as well as have a thin modern aesthetic.

Be Careful: Those thin, cheap wire hangers you get from the dry cleaner are horrible for your clothes. They produce tragic shoulder puckers and mangle fabric. Uncoated metal can rust and stain clothing, too.

Manufacturing Tips: Opt for stainless steel or aluminum hangers with a protective powder or rubber coating. A key sign of quality is the weld quality at joints — it should be smooth and seamlessly integrated. For heavy garments, ensure that the metal is thick enough so it won’t bend under weight.