When do you start packing your clothes?

I test packed a month before to be sure everything fits and didn’t weigh too much. Then adjusted what I was taking (lots of lists). I final packed 3 days before we were suppose to leave.

Wrinkles won’t get any worse one day, three days, or seven days out. Like * I practice pack a month out from my packing list, then refine. Final pack is three-to-five days out except for electronics that go in my day pack.

Packing three days before won’t affect your clothes; they’ll experience more shuffling and pressing during the movement of the suitcase during the actual travel from home to arrival than sitting in your home packed.

Thanks all! I’m going to pack today.

I usually pack the morning that we leave. Drives my wife nuts.

I do it either the day before of the day of travel. I just find that method to be most efficient for me. If I pack too early, then I end up checking and rechecking whether I didn't forget something. I'd rather pack clothes, toiletries, etc all at once (and only recheck once) and that's often the last day. I do make a packing list pretty early on (to make sure I have everything and don't need to buy anything last minute), but it's based on an existing master list.

I have a running list of things to pack, and I add and remove things from the list all the time, starting months out. But it’s all on paper. Maybe a month out I will throw items into the suitcase (not clothes but cords or toiletries). Two weeks or so I will lay all the clothes I want to bring and try them on in outfits. Make sure everything fits and looks ok together, with shoes and accessories. I’ll make note of exactly what clothes I want so I can pack. I might do that then or a week ahead. I don’t like to wait too long because I might accidentally wear an item I want to bring, then it would be dirty when I want to pack it!

I'm leaving a week from Monday; I know which jeans I'm taking, my jacket, and have mentally selected a few tops but I won't finalize and pack until next Sunday. I also roll and use packing cubes.

I pack the night before or the morning of, That way I can include any last minute changes based on the weather report, I typically wash/dry clean things a week or so before and set aside in a section of the closet and include more things than I know I will pack - some for if its cooler some for if it's warmer. That way I can pack based on what the best guess is for the weather!

The day before as we usually have very early flights from home.

All the years we have developed a very refined packing list. For all practically purposes we start packing on the plane home. We review the prior packing list to see what may need to be changed for the next trip. Things that are worn, damaged, etc. Then replaced those items within the next couple of months so that the list is ready to go for the next trip whether it is next month or next year. We generally physically pack the suitcase the week or two before and faithfully stick to the list. We have boasted that if you gave us an airplane we can be at the airport in an hour and half. The airport is an hour away.

I usually start packing 2-3 days before my travel time. Checking everything is packed and nothing will be left behind.

I do what Frank does, so I have a precise list. I usually pack one week ahead but I decided to do it this weekend... 4 wks before I leave. Excited much? 😂

After my last trip overseas (when Air France lost my suitcase), I realized that I really do pack too much and can do with less. I haven't started physically packing yet for our next trip, but I'm already mentally there.

As far as your question - my suitcase appeared about a week later with my rolled clothes waiting for me inside of it. Even after all that time, the wrinkles were minimal, so I'd say you're good to go for three days early if that's what best suits your comfort level of packing.

When I went to Scotland and Venice last September, I tried out packing cubes for the first time.
I went to Scotland first, and packed those clothes for about a week or so before I flew.
The Venice clothes were packed for about two weeks before I needed them.
Absolutely everything was fresh and unwrinkled when I finally unpacked it!
Now a convert of packing cubes!

Just started using packing cubes and love them!!!! I wish I could pack earlier than the day before, but then where to keep the suitcase laid open, as I will need to add toiletries. Or do you early packers close the suitcase and then re-open as needed?

Diveloonie,
All toiletries are decanted into small containers and go in the 311 bag. That way I have large at home bottles and jars and am compliant with TSA Makeup that doesn’t go in 311 has separate bag (again, duplicates of at home or decanted). Drugs are packaged into daily tiny ziplock bags marked day 1, day 2, etc., then all drugs are packed in the drug bag which includes copies from the pharmacist of the prescription labels.
Clothes are packed in packing cubes. Everything was packed in my carryon and tote a couple days before leaving. Carryon was closed and ready to go. By now I have made list after list and checked them all at least twice. Then my tour was “cancelled” but this worked for Hawaii too.

diveloonie, I have a guest bedroom I can use but I prefer my bedroom which is large enough for a long, rectangular folding table that I can put my suitcase on with room on the side of the table for misc.

I pack the day before or the day of departure.

A week before- Locate the packing cubes, dig out the suitcases, clean and sanitize my Go Tubes and fill them and pack in toiletry bag along with everything that goes in that bag, locate the camera and all battery charges and adapters and pack in their special case. Make sure my "travel folder" is complete with docs I will need. Start my "Clothes I am taking" section in my closet and do any laundry that needs to be done.
The night before- Do any last minute laundry and Pack and lay out my travel clothes for the next day. Re-check the travel folder for documents. Place suitcases and personal items by the door.
Day of- Shower and out the door. As soon as we are in the car we consider that the start of the vacation.

I ~really~ wanted to start packing for my next departure (next Monday, now) when I got back from a trip in January! About a month ago I topped up everything in my 3-1-1 bag altho I've decided I'm now allergic to my shampoo/conditioner so I need to swap that out for some new hypo-allergenic stuff I've been trying. In order to prevent checking and rechecking, I marked them off my packing list. I also packed my travel unders, nightgown and socks in a cube and marked the contents off my list. About 2 weeks ago I did a trial pack for my suitcase and the small day pack I'll take on board.

I've got all my clothes that have made the travel team separated in my closet and since they are the same ones I've taken on the last 2 trips so I know everything works.

I'm ready to put them in the suitcase but I'll hold off until Saturday for a Monday departure. Can't wait!

A week before. Then I'm not up crazy-late the night before trying to wash everything. I don't travel with clothes that wrinkle, or maybe my compression bags take out the wrinkles along with the air.

when the cab arrives . .

diveloonie-My mom lives in Chugiak! Small world. Lulu 348-I pack only the day before because I still need to use toiletries and am usually still doing laundry. However, I make a mental list of everything I need, and once you've traveled long distances a few times you pretty much know what you can and can't take.

As a side note-if you have a cat, lay a towel down before you start packing, otherwise everything will be covered in cat hair. AND, pack everything right away. If you leave it for even a second, the cat will sneak in and lay right on top of everything.