Closets and dressers are both storage solutions typically used in bedrooms. Closets are built-in rooms or alcoves, while dressers are pieces of case furniture. As a result, they serve different purposes and are usually used to store different types of items.
Because closets are rooms as opposed to furniture pieces, they are generally very vertical in height, allowing them to accommodate items that need to be hung such as suits, blouses, and dresses. Extra room at the base of a closet is often used to store shoes on racks as well.
Since dressers are furniture pieces with enclosed drawers as opposed to entire rooms, they have far less storage space than closets. Dresser drawers are best suited for storing foldable items such as casual pants like jeans and leggings, T-shirts, and pajamas. Easily-wrinkled clothes are better hung in a closet than folded in a dresser. Dresser drawers are also great for accommodating small articles of clothing like socks or undergarments as well as accessories like scarves, sunglasses, and hair accessories.
