Fold vs. Hang: How to Organize Folded or Hanging Clothes in a Closet

Do all of the clothes in your closet make it feel cluttered and chaotic? Are you wondering whether you should fold or hang t-shirts and jeans? You’re in the right place! Inspired Closets is here to help you determine which clothing you should fold or hang to streamline the organization in your closet.

Folding vs. Hanging Clothes

So, why does it matter if you fold or hang jeans and t-shirts? Well, it comes down to appearance and longevity. Folding clothing items that should be hung up can cause wrinkling, while hanging clothes that should be folded can stretch them out or cause hanger marks that damage the item. Let’s look at some common clothing pieces and how you should organize them in your closet.

Fold or Hang T-Shirts?

You can fold or hang t-shirts depending on what they are made from. A cotton or polyester shirt can be tucked in a drawer or stacked on a shelf without causing any issues. However, a linen t-shirt will get extremely wrinkled if folded, so hanging it up would be a better option.

Fold or Hang Jeans?

Like t-shirts, you can also fold or hang jeans based on your preference. Since jeans are thicker and hold their shape well, you won’t get wrinkles from folding them or misshapen pants from hanging them. If you’re wondering how to hang jeans, simply fold them in half lengthwise and slip the top half through your hanger so the pants hang down on each side.

Fold or Hang Sweaters?

We recommend always folding your sweaters, especially if they are made from thicker materials. These clothing pieces are typically bulky and take up more hanging space than other items. If you want to know how to organize sweaters in a closet, we suggest folding them and placing them on an open shelf or in a drawer.

Fold or Hang Dresses?

In general, you should be hanging up any dresses in your closet. The only exceptions are sweater dresses or ones made from thicker materials, which are often heavier and can stretch out if put on a hanger.

General Rule of Thumb on How to Organize Folded or Hanging Clothes in a Closet

How to Organize Folded Clothes in a Closet

If your current closet system doesn’t have drawers or you can’t fit a dresser in the space, you’ll need ways to organize folded clothes within your closet. Using shelf dividers, hanging systems, and/or storage bins will keep like items together and create simple and functional closet organization.

How to Organize Hanging Clothes in a Closet

There are a few more variables to consider when organizing hanging clothes in a closet that will help your space look and feel more streamlined and organized. Our tips include:

• Facing all items the same way on the hangers
• Grouping clothes by type (shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, etc.)
• Hanging each kind of clothing by length of piece or sleeve (shortest to longest)

A final tip for how to organize hanging clothes in a closet is to color code them in rainbow order in each section. This is not a necessary organizational step, but it makes your closet look more aesthetically pleasing overall.