Packing clothes for moving and travel

Moving to university means packing a whole wardrobe, often into suitcases with strict airline weight limits. Good packing protects your clothes, saves space and makes the first night much easier.

Plan before you pack

• Use your capsule list from the first lesson and pack to it, not to everything you own.
• Check your airline's baggage weight and size allowance before you start; allowances differ between airlines and ticket types.
• Weigh bags at home with luggage scales so you are not repacking at the airport.
• Wear your bulkiest items (coat, boots, jumper) on the flight to save weight and space; Homes & Gardens notes bulky coats are fairly wrinkle-resistant anyway.

Rolling, folding and protecting

• Lay each item flat and smooth out wrinkles before packing.
• Roll casual tops, jeans and gym clothes: experts quoted by Homes & Gardens, including a professional organiser, say rolling saves space.
• Fold delicate shirts and blouses with tissue paper to reduce wrinkling.
• Fold trousers in half lengthways, then waist to hem, and alternate waistbands when stacking them.
• Put heavy, bulky items at the bottom of the case and delicate items on top.

Packing cubes and bags

• Group items by type in packing cubes or clear bags: socks and underwear in one, gym clothes in another.
• Squeezing the air out of packing bags saves space, as a professional packer quoted by Homes & Gardens notes.
• Vacuum-sealed bags work well for bulky items such as duvets, coats and winter jumpers, and also protect against damp and pests (English Heritage).
• Put shoes in bags or shower caps so dirt does not mark your clothes, and stuff socks inside them to save space and keep their shape.

What to keep in your hand luggage

• One full change of clothes, underwear and basic toiletries in case your checked bag is delayed.
• A warm layer for the plane and for arriving somewhere cold.
• Anything valuable or irreplaceable, such as a special outfit, jewellery or a family item.
• Follow your departure airport's liquid rules for toiletries (covered in the Getting Around module).

Unpacking on arrival

• Unpack on day one if you can: hang coats, shirts and smart clothes straight away so creases drop out.
• Expect trousers to have creases at the knees; plan to iron or steam them.
• Store suitcases with small items like spare bags inside to save space.
• Keep a note of what you brought, so you know what you need to buy and do not double up.