Your wardrobe represents a significant investment—both financially and emotionally. From your favorite jeans to that perfect interview suit, your clothes deserve better than being stuffed into garbage bags at the last minute. At SOS Moving, we've transported countless wardrobes across Los Angeles and beyond, and we know the difference proper packing makes. This comprehensive guide will show you how to pack clothes efficiently, keeping them clean, organized, and ready to wear in your new home.
Before You Pack: The Essential Clothing Audit
The biggest mistake people make is packing clothes they'll never wear again. Moving is the perfect excuse for a wardrobe refresh.
The 80/20 Rule: Most people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. Be honest about what you actually wear versus what's just taking up space.
Try the Reverse Hanger Trick: If you have time before moving, turn all your hangers backward. After wearing something, hang it normally. After a month, you'll see exactly what you don't wear.
Check for Damage: Don't pay to move stained, ripped, or worn-out clothes. Toss them now or use them as packing material for fragile items.
Seasonal Strategy: If you're moving in summer, do you really need to carefully pack that heavy winter coat? Consider storing off-season clothes or shipping them separately.
Method 1: Wardrobe Boxes (The Premium Option)
Wardrobe boxes are tall boxes with a metal bar across the top, essentially portable closets. They're the gold standard for moving clothes.
Best For: Suits, dresses, delicate fabrics, and anything you'd typically dry clean.
The Technique: Leave clothes on their hangers and transfer them directly to the wardrobe box. Group clothes by type or color to make unpacking easier. Don't overcrowd—clothes need some breathing room to prevent wrinkles.
Pro Tip: Place a garbage bag over groups of hanging clothes from the bottom up, leaving hangers exposed at the top. This adds extra protection against dust and moisture.
Space Maximizer: Use the bottom of wardrobe boxes for shoes, purses, or folded items in clear bags.
Method 2: The Roll Method (The Space Saver)
Rolling clothes instead of folding them is a game-changer for casual clothes and can reduce space usage by up to 30%.
Best For: T-shirts, jeans, casual dresses, workout clothes, and pajamas.
The Technique: Lay the item flat, fold in sleeves or sides, then roll tightly from bottom to top. Place rolls vertically in boxes like file folders—you can see everything at once.
Why It Works: Rolling reduces wrinkles for most casual fabrics and maximizes box space. It also makes it easier to find specific items without unpacking everything.
Advanced Tip: Secure rolls with rubber bands or hair ties to keep them tight during transport.
Method 3: Vacuum Seal Bags (The Volume Reducer)
Vacuum seal bags can compress clothes to a fraction of their original size, perfect for bulky items.
Best For: Comforters, winter coats, sweaters, and out-of-season clothing.
The Warning: Don't use vacuum bags for leather, fur, or delicate fabrics that need to breathe. Natural fibers can develop permanent creases if compressed too long.
The Technique: Fill bags about 3/4 full, seal according to instructions, and vacuum out air. Label immediately—compressed clothes are hard to identify.
Moving Day Tip: Pack vacuum bags in boxes or bins for protection. The bags can puncture during a move, causing them to re-inflate unexpectedly.
Method 4: Dresser Method (The Lazy Genius)
If you're moving locally and have sturdy dressers, why empty them?
The Technique: Leave clothes in dresser drawers. Remove drawers, wrap them in plastic wrap to keep contents secure, then transport drawers separately from the dresser frame.
Weight Warning: Only do this with lightweight clothes. Heavy items can damage drawer bottoms or make drawers too heavy to carry safely.
Security Tip: Wrap the entire drawer in plastic wrap or use press-and-seal wrap directly on open tops to prevent items from falling out.
Method 5: Suitcase Strategy (The Practical Approach)
You're moving suitcases anyway—why not use them?
Best For: Heavy items like shoes, accessories, and clothes you'll need immediately.
The Technique: Pack suitcases with clothes as if you're going on a long trip. Use packing cubes or compression bags for organization.
Smart Thinking: Pack your first week's outfits in one suitcase so you don't have to unpack everything immediately.
Special Considerations for Delicate Items
Some clothes need extra care during a move.
Leather and Suede: Never use plastic bags—these materials need to breathe. Wrap in cotton sheets or acid-free tissue paper.
Sequined or Beaded Items: Turn inside out and wrap in tissue paper to prevent snagging.
Vintage or Valuable Pieces: Consider professional packing or transport these items yourself.
Shoes: Stuff with socks or paper to maintain shape. Wrap individually to prevent scuffing. Pack heels with heel caps or wrap heel tips to prevent them from damaging other items.
The Moving Week Wardrobe Plan
Don't pack yourself into a corner—literally.
Week Before: Set aside 7-10 days of clothes in a suitcase. Include work clothes, casual wear, sleepwear, and one nice outfit for unexpected events.
Moving Day Outfit: Choose comfortable, protective clothing. Closed-toe shoes are essential. Layers work well as you'll be going in and out.
First Day Box: Pack a complete outfit, including underwear and socks, in your essentials box. After a long moving day, hunting for clean clothes is the last thing you'll want to do.
Unpacking Strategy: Setting Up Your New Closet
Your packing method should align with your unpacking plan.
Priority Unpack: Hang wrinkle-prone items immediately, even if your closet isn't organized yet.
The One-Week Rule: Unpack all clothes within one week. Clothes left in boxes develop stubborn wrinkles and can absorb odors.
Organize As You Go: This is your chance to organize your dream closet. Don't just recreate your old system—improve it.
Common Clothing Packing Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' laundry disasters:
Using Garbage Bags: They tear, don't protect against moisture, and make you look unprofessional to movers.
Packing Dirty Clothes: Stains set and odors spread. Everything should be clean and dry.
Overpacking Boxes: Clothes are heavier than they look. Keep boxes under 40 pounds.
Forgetting About Hangers: Decide if you're moving hangers. Wire hangers can tangle into an impossible mess.
Professional Packing Services: Worth the Investment?
Sometimes it makes sense to let professionals handle your wardrobe, especially for:
- High-value designer clothing
- Large wardrobes (walk-in closets full)
- Time-sensitive moves
- Anyone with mobility issues
SOS Moving's packing team knows how to protect your clothing investment, from your everyday basics to your special occasion showstoppers.
Conclusion
Properly packing clothes for a move doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right techniques and a bit of planning, your wardrobe can arrive at your new home in the same condition it left—maybe even better organized. Whether you choose wardrobe boxes for your professional attire or the roll method for your casual clothes, the key is starting early and packing with purpose. Your future self will appreciate opening boxes of clean, organized, wrinkle-free clothes ready to hang in your new closet.
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