Is It Better to Fold or Hang Your Clothes?

Folded Clothing

Folding clothes instead of hanging them can prevent items from becoming misshapen, and also save space on your closet rods. The following items will maintain their integrity when folded:

• Shorts: Most shorts are made of thicker material and can stand up to being folded without becoming wrinkled. It can be tricky to hang up shorts so folding them and placing them in a drawer just makes sense.
• Heavy Knit Sweaters: It's never a good idea to place a heavy knit sweater on a hanger. The weight of the fabric will pull down the sweater, changing its shape and stretching it out. If you lack ample drawer space, you may want to consider packing up your heavy knit sweaters and storing them somewhere else during the spring and summer.
• Activewear: Any activewear or items of clothing you would wear to the gym should be folded and placed in a drawer. Activewear is often made of materials that have added spandex, so trying to put these types of pieces on a hanger will stretch them out and they will no longer fit properly.

Clothes to Hang

The majority of clothing in your closet should be hung up if you want to prolong the life of each piece and keep everything organized  and in excellent condition. Before hanging anything up, make sure you have high-quality hangers, as suggested by The Spruce. You may need to purchase a few different kinds depending on what type of clothing you are hanging.

• Pants: You can hang pants by folding them over the hangers, or invest in specialty hangers with non-slip clips that allow you to hang pants vertically.
• Blouses: Hanging blouses prevents wrinkles and creases so they're always crisp and ready to wear.
• Linen Pieces: Clothing made of linen is popular because it's lightweight and cool, but it is notorious for wrinkling. Lower the wrinkling risks by hanging up those pieces. 
• Jackets: Preserve the structure and integrity of your jackets by hanging them up. This includes all types, from suit jackets to raincoats, and the like.
• Dresses: The majority of dresses don’t do well when folded. Make sure you hang your dresses on non-slip hangers that will hold each one in place.
• "Anything Made from Silk, Chiffon, or Other 'Flowy' Materials": Martha Stewart strongly advises hanging up "flowy fabrics" so they don’t become creased and wrinkled.

Folding or Hanging is Okay

Some items of clothing do fine whether folded or hung up. The decision, ultimately, is up to you. The amount of drawer space and vertical hanging space in your closet will influence your decision.

• Jeans: Denim is a heavy-duty fabric so it doesn't matter whether jeans are hung or folded and stored in a drawer. 
• T-Shirts: Most t-shirts are made of cotton, which is a very forgiving fabric. If you choose to fold your shirts, Family Handyman notes the benefit of filing them in a drawer instead of stacking them in order to prevent wrinkles and save space.
• Scarves: Whether to hang or fold scarves is a matter of preference and how much drawer space you have in your closet.

Conclusion

It's important to know how to properly store your wardrobe. Some items of clothing should always be hung, others need to be folded, and there are those that can be folded or hung. Always use high-quality hangers to preserve the structure of your garments. Your outfits will last longer and always be ready to wear when you store them the right way.

Sources

• https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/ways-youre-storing-your-clothes-all-wrong/
• https://www.marthastewart.com/268737/hanging-vs-folding-clothing
• https://www.thespruce.com/best-hangers-4154664