How to Pack Clothes and Your Wardrobe for a Move

Clothes are one of the most time-consuming things to pack — not because they are difficult, but because most people have far more than they realize. A systematic approach saves hours on packing day.

Step 1: Declutter First

Before you pack a single item, go through your wardrobe and set aside anything you have not worn in the past year. Moving is the best time to donate, sell, or discard clothes you no longer need. Every item you remove is one less thing to pack, move, and unpack.

Packing Hanging Clothes

Option 1: Wardrobe Boxes (Fastest)

Wardrobe boxes have a metal hanging bar across the top. You transfer clothes directly from your closet rod to the wardrobe box — no folding, no wrinkling. At the new address, you hang them directly in the new closet.

Wardrobe boxes are the fastest option for hanging clothes. They cost $15–$25 each and are available at moving supply stores. Two or three boxes handle most wardrobes.

Option 2: Garbage Bags (Budget-Friendly)

Group 10–15 hanging items together, leave them on the hangers, and pull a large garbage bag up from the bottom over the clothes. Tie the bag around the hooks. This keeps clothes together and protected without buying wardrobe boxes.

This method works well for casual clothes. For formal wear or delicate items, use wardrobe boxes or garment bags.

Packing Folded Clothes

Folded clothes — t-shirts, jeans, underwear, socks, sweaters — pack well in medium moving boxes or large suitcases.

Tips:

• Roll t-shirts and casual items instead of folding — they take up less space and wrinkle less
• Pack heavier items (jeans, sweaters) at the bottom of the box
• Fill boxes completely — partially filled boxes collapse when stacked
• Use vacuum storage bags for bulky winter coats, duvets, and sweaters — they compress significantly

Leaving Clothes in Dresser Drawers

You can leave light clothing (t-shirts, underwear, socks) in dresser drawers during the move. This saves packing time and the crew will wrap the dresser in moving blankets.

Remove from drawers:

• Heavy items like jeans and sweaters (they make the dresser too heavy)
• Anything fragile or breakable
• Jewellery and valuables

Secure the drawers with stretch wrap so they do not slide open during the move.

Packing Delicate and Formal Clothing

Suits, blazers, formal dresses, and structured garments should not be folded if you can avoid it. Folding creates creases that can be difficult to remove.

• Use garment bags for suits and formal dresses
• Hang in a wardrobe box if possible
• If folding is unavoidable, stuff the shoulders of blazers with tissue paper to maintain their shape
• Pack flat in a box with tissue paper between layers

Shoes

Pack shoes in their original boxes if you kept them. Otherwise:

• Wrap each shoe individually in packing paper
• Pack in pairs, sole-to-sole
• Use small or medium boxes — shoes are heavier than they look
• Stuff the inside of shoes with socks or packing paper to maintain their shape

Labelling

Label every box with:

• CLOTHES and the category (e.g., Winter Clothes, Work Clothes, Kids' Clothes)
• Destination room
• FRAGILE if the box contains delicate items

Ready to Move?

Get a free quote for your Metro Vancouver move, or call 778-200-8825. We serve all of Metro Vancouver and surrounding areas, 7 days a week.