How you store your denim jacket matters more than you might think. Improper storage can lead to misshapen shoulders, permanent creases, musty odours, and even fabric damage over time. Whether you're storing your jacket overnight or putting it away for the season, following proper storage practices will keep it looking great and ready to wear for years to come.

Daily Storage: Hanging vs. Folding

For a jacket you wear regularly, hanging is almost always preferable to folding. But not all hanging methods are equal.

The Right Hanger Makes All the Difference

The hanger you choose directly impacts your jacket's shape:

  • Best choice: Wide, padded hangers or shaped wooden hangers that support the shoulder area. The hanger width should approximately match your shoulder width.
  • Acceptable: Thick plastic hangers with some curvature
  • Avoid: Thin wire hangers—these create pressure points that can distort shoulders and leave marks
  • Avoid: Narrow hangers that don't support the full shoulder width

📐 Hanger Sizing Tip

The ideal hanger width should match from shoulder seam to shoulder seam on your jacket. A hanger that's too narrow won't support the shoulders; one that's too wide will stretch them.

How to Hang Properly

  1. Ensure the jacket is completely dry—never hang damp denim
  2. Empty all pockets to prevent stretching and bulging
  3. Button or zip the jacket to help maintain its shape
  4. Position the hanger so shoulder seams align with hanger edges
  5. Smooth any visible wrinkles before stepping away
  6. Allow adequate space between garments to prevent crushing

When Folding Is Appropriate

Folding is acceptable for:

  • Travel—a rolled or loosely folded jacket in luggage beats a crushed one
  • Short-term situations when hanging isn't available
  • Lightweight jackets that won't develop heavy creases

To fold a denim jacket:

  1. Button the jacket fully
  2. Lay flat, face down
  3. Fold sleeves across the back
  4. Fold in half vertically, or roll from the bottom up for travel
  5. Avoid stacking heavy items on top

Seasonal Storage

Putting your denim jacket away for an extended period—say, during a hot Australian summer—requires more care than daily storage.

Preparation Steps

  1. Clean first: Never store a dirty jacket. Body oils, perspiration, and stains can set during storage and attract pests. If needed, give the jacket a proper wash and ensure it's completely dry.
  2. Air out: Hang in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours before packing away
  3. Check for damage: Address any needed repairs before storage—small issues can worsen over time
  4. Empty pockets: Remove everything, including forgotten items you haven't noticed

⚠️ Moth Prevention

While moths prefer wool over cotton, denim jackets (especially those with natural fibres or food stains) can still attract pests. Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets near stored denim as a natural deterrent. Avoid mothballs—their smell is difficult to remove from fabric.

Where to Store

Choose a storage location that is:

  • Cool: Avoid hot attics or areas near heating—heat can weaken fibres over time
  • Dry: Humidity promotes mildew and can cause colour transfer. Avoid damp basements
  • Dark: Prolonged light exposure fades indigo. Store away from windows
  • Clean: Dust-free environments prevent particles from settling into the fabric
  • Well-ventilated: Some airflow prevents musty odours

Storage Methods for Extended Periods

Hanging in a Garment Bag

The best option for long-term storage:

  • Use a breathable cotton or canvas garment bag—never plastic, which traps moisture
  • Hang on an appropriate hanger inside the bag
  • Include cedar or lavender for pest prevention
  • Store in a closet rather than exposed areas

Folded Storage

If you must fold for extended storage:

  • Use acid-free tissue paper between folds to prevent creasing
  • Place in a cotton storage bag or acid-free box
  • Store flat, without heavy items on top
  • Refold occasionally (every 2-3 months) along different lines to prevent permanent creases

Special Considerations

Raw Denim Jackets

Raw denim that hasn't been washed yet requires extra care:

  • Store away from light-coloured items—indigo crocking can transfer during storage
  • Ensure good airflow to prevent musty smells (raw denim can hold odours)
  • Consider airing periodically during extended storage

Vintage or Valuable Jackets

For vintage or collectible pieces:

  • Use only acid-free materials for storage
  • Avoid any direct contact with cedar or other woods that could transfer oils
  • Consider climate-controlled storage for particularly valuable items
  • Document condition before storage with photographs

Sherpa-Lined Jackets

Jackets with sherpa or fleece lining need special attention:

  • Never compress the lining tightly—it may not fully recover
  • Hanging is strongly preferred over folding
  • Allow extra space in the closet so lining isn't crushed
  • Ensure lining is completely dry before storage to prevent mildew

🎯 Storage Checklist

  • Use wide, supportive hangers for daily storage
  • Button jacket and empty pockets before hanging
  • Clean and air out before seasonal storage
  • Store in cool, dry, dark, well-ventilated space
  • Use breathable garment bags (never plastic)
  • Include natural pest deterrents
  • Refold periodically if stored folded

Retrieving from Storage

When bringing your jacket out of storage:

  1. Inspect: Check for any pest damage, mildew, or issues
  2. Air out: Hang in a well-ventilated area for several hours before wearing
  3. Address creases: Light steaming or hanging in a steamy bathroom can relax storage creases
  4. Check fit: If the jacket has been stored for a very long time, ensure it still fits before planning outfits

Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid

  • Plastic bags: Trap moisture and prevent breathing, leading to mildew and musty odours
  • Wire hangers: Create pressure points and distort shoulders
  • Direct sunlight: Fades indigo and weakens fibres even through storage
  • Cramped spaces: Crushing leads to permanent creases and shape distortion
  • Storing dirty: Stains set, pests are attracted, and odours develop
  • Damp storage: Promotes mildew, mould, and musty smells

Storage and Fade Development

For raw denim enthusiasts tracking fade development: extended storage pauses the fading process. If you're building up wear patterns before a first wash, keep in mind that storage time doesn't count toward your "wear hours." Some enthusiasts prefer to rotate multiple raw jackets rather than storing one for long periods, maintaining active fade development on all pieces.

Final Thoughts

Good storage habits are as important as proper washing and wearing when it comes to denim jacket longevity. A few minutes of proper preparation before storing—and choosing the right hangers and storage environment—can add years to your jacket's useful life while keeping it looking its best.

For more care guidance, read our guides on washing and repairing denim.

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Written by

Marcus Chen

Marcus is the founder of DenimJacket.au and has been collecting and caring for denim for over a decade. He's learned proper storage the hard way—through mistakes that damaged beloved jackets.