Updated: September 23, 2025
Packing clothes is often left until last—and that's when problems arise. Creases, empty spaces in boxes, and unnecessary stress can make moving day difficult. This guide will show you how to fold and pack your clothes properly, whether you are moving within the city or to another region.
You will learn about convenient ways to fold and roll items, as well as how to arrange them so that your clothes arrive neat, tidy, and ready to wear.
Decluttering and preparing clothes
Before you think about how to pack your clothes, start by reducing the amount you have. The fewer items you take with you, the easier, cheaper, and faster the process will be—fewer boxes, less unpacking, and more space in your new closet.
A quick checklist for sorting through your closet:
- Donate good items to charity.
- Sell suitable clothes online or at a sale.
- Recycle old and damaged fabrics.
- Only throw away what cannot be reused.
💡Moving Tips: Moving cross-country to a different climate? Be smart about it. If you're moving from a cold region to a warm one, don't take heavy coats, boots, and sweaters with you. If you're moving north, don't take up space with summer dresses and sandals.
Sorting System
Have you sorted out the unnecessary items? Excellent. Now it's time for clothing — piles can be transformed into order with one important step. Why is this so important? Because those who skip this step end up rummaging through boxes as if searching for treasure. Experienced movers assure us that this method works flawlessly. Less confusion. Less wasted time. And far fewer family arguments over a pair of socks.
How to proceed? There are several ways:
By season. Put away your winter coats in the summer. Put away your swimsuits in the winter. For bulky items, it's best to use vacuum bags.
By person. Everyone has their own wardrobe and their own box. Label them clearly: “Anna — winter,” and there will be no more questions.
By priority. A suitcase or bag with clothes for a couple of days will save you from unpleasant surprises on the first few nights.
Packing system
Imagine you have a light evening dress and two down jackets. How would you pack them? Maybe you would just put the dress in a bag and throw the jackets in a box? This is not the best way to do it. It's better to wrap the dress in paper or put it in a cover so that the fabric doesn't snag or tear. Fold the down jackets on top of each other, pressing them lightly, and put them in a large bag or vacuum bag — this way they will take up less space. You can do the same with blankets or thick sweaters: several items can easily be stacked into one neat pile.
The following packaging options are suitable for different types of clothing:
- paper or garment bags — for dresses, suits, and other delicate clothing;
- Wondering how to pack winter clothes for moving? Vacuum bags — for down jackets, sweaters, and blankets to save space;
- cardboard boxes — for everyday clothes and shoes;
- twine or rope — to tie stacks of items in bags or boxes;
- large moving bags for clothes (plastic or fabric) — for jeans, T-shirts, and sportswear.
In addition, you will need tape, markers, and scissors.
How to Pack Clothes for a Move
How to pack clothes for moving long distance? Use vacuum bags—they take up very little space, and you can reuse them for storage later. Saving space is important right now, so it's convenient to put bulky clothes in vacuum bags. Use boxes for small stacks of T-shirts. Socks, undershirts, and other small items can be rolled up using the Marie Kondo (Japanese organizing consultant) storage method. Pack these rolls tightly into a box or storage container.
Not sure how to fold clothes for packing? Here’s a quick method for T-shirts. Lay the T-shirt on a bed or table. Mentally draw a line down the center of the garment and in the middle of the shoulder seam. Then pull the point where the lines intersect with your left hand and grab the middle of the seam on the shoulder with your right hand. Wow, your perfectly folded T-shirt is ready to move!
The same trick works for clothing with sleeves: lay the item face down, fastening all zippers and buttons beforehand. Smooth out the edges of the item and fold them toward the collar, leaving the sleeves in a vertical position. Mentally divide the garment into three equal parts. Then fold the bottom inwards, followed by the center. Now turn the shirt face up and fold the sleeves.
Pants, jeans, trousers. After you have removed forgotten cash and other artifacts from the past from the pockets, fold the pants in half lengthwise, carefully straighten them, and pull the bottom edge up to the top. And fold them in half again. Stylish, economical, practical! Jeans and trousers can also be rolled up in the same way as socks and T-shirts, just don't forget to iron the clothes first.
Special items
Not all items in your closet are packed the same way. Shoes, jewelry, accessories, and formal wear require a special approach to prevent damage during transport. Here are some tips for packing these items:
Shoes
- Stuff shoes with socks or paper to maintain their shape.
- Wrap each pair in paper or plastic to prevent scuffing.
- If possible, pack them separately or use sturdy boxes.
💡Moving Tips: Wine boxes with dividers are great for shoes.
Jewelry
- Pack each item separately in small bags or organizers.
- Wrap fragile jewelry in paper napkins to avoid scratches.
- Take valuable items with you rather than putting them in the truck — this is what movers recommend.
Accessories (belts, hats, scarves)
- Roll up belts and place them in shoe or clothing covers.
- Carefully roll or fold scarves and pack them with light clothing.
- Stuff hats with socks or paper to keep their shape and place them in a sturdy box.
Formal and delicate clothing
- Use covers for suits, dresses, and evening wear.
- Transport them in clothing boxes to protect them from dust and creases.
- Do not overload the boxes—the weight can damage the items.
👉 These steps will take a little more time, but they will help you get your most important items to your new home intact, clean, and ready to use. This is often underestimated when moving, but it makes the unpacking process much easier. If you’re wondering how to pack clothes for moving cross country, focus on durability: use wardrobe moving boxes for suits and vacuum bags for bulky winter wear
First night bag and essentials
The first evening after moving is almost always the most exhausting: there are boxes everywhere, everyone is tired, and all you want is a shower, clean clothes, and a good night's sleep. To save energy, it's best to prepare a bag and a container with the most necessary items in advance.
Put everything you need in your personal bag: a few sets of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, medicines, and chargers. If you are moving with children or pets, add their favorite toys and anything else that will help them get used to the new place faster.
For your family, put together a separate transparent container or box that is easy to recognize — you can wrap it with bright tape. Put bedding, towels, some dishes and cutlery, a flashlight, a knife for unpacking, and a light snack in case you don't have time to cook. Ask the movers to load this container last so that it is the first one in your new apartment.
Pay special attention to valuable items: always take documents, money, jewelry, and electronics with you, rather than sending them in the truck. Such simple preparation will save you from unnecessary searching and make your first night in your new home much more peaceful and comfortable.
Mistakes to avoid
1) Overfilled boxes
What happens: Boxes weighing more than 50 lbs tear, are difficult to lift, and the clothes at the bottom get badly creased.
The right way: Use small or medium-sized boxes weighing up to 44–50 lbs. Put heavy items (jeans, sweaters) at the bottom and light items on top. If the box lid does not close smoothly, there are too many items inside.
2) Items without protection
What happens: Snags, dust, moisture, and severe creases appear.
The right way: Use clothes boxes to hang items. For formal wear, use covers or plastic bags. Place folded stacks in boxes and add paper on top. For short moves, you can use trash bags, but only for inexpensive items.
3) Mixing clean and dirty items
What happens: Odors and stains transfer to clean items, and you will have to wash everything again.
The right way: Wash your clothes before packing. Take a separate bag or basket for the things you will wear during the move. Do not put anything wet in boxes — dry everything first.
4) Forgotten hangers
What happens: Hanging clothes in the closet takes a lot of time, and hangers get tangled.
The right way: Not sure how to pack clothes hangers for moving? Bundle 10–15 together with rubber bands and place them in a separate bag. Pack them in a separate bag labeled “Hangers — for the closet.” Transport suits and dresses directly on hangers in clothing boxes — then you can hang them up right away.
Conclusion
Packing your wardrobe doesn’t have to be a headache. By planning ahead — clearing out clutter, sorting items smartly, choosing the right boxes, and using packing methods that fit your trip — you’ll save space, reduce wrinkles, and make unpacking faster.
Keep this guide handy. Bookmark it, download the moving checklist, and use the packing options and folding diagrams while you work. A few minutes of prep now will help you avoid the most common problems on the first day.
Next steps:
- Print the first-night essentials checklist and pack them today
- Decide how you’ll hang clothes (wardrobe boxes for moving/garment bags) and pack winter gear (vacuum bags)
- Label items by person + room + priority and keep box weight reasonable (goal: up to 44–50 lbs per box)
Need help?
Want support with your move? WellKnown Moving offers professional packing with wardrobe boxes, care for formal wear, and a full range of moving services. Get a free moving estimate and let our team handle the heavy work while you focus on settling in.