Clothes for a moving day

Short answer: A moving day is eight hours of heavy lifting, stairs and a draught from an open door. Your clothes need to move with you in every direction and survive a wash afterwards, so choose soft layers and thin socks over anything stiff or smart.

Movement comes from every direction

You lift, bend, stretch and crawl in turn all day, and a stiff fabric stops you every time. Trousers that pull over the knee or a top that rides up your back soon become annoying. A soft knit moves with you instead. That is why bamboo joggers for women work so well on a day like this.

Your feet take the most

Carrying boxes up and down stairs makes feet warm and shoes damp, and that is where blisters come from. The longer the day, the more you feel it. Change your socks halfway through, ideally at the lunch break. Choose socks for women in a thin knit and keep a spare pair in a bag you can find.

Expect your clothes to get dirty

Dust from boxes, a streak of paint from a door frame and a tear in a sleeve are all part of the day. Pick something you do not need to protect, so you can focus on carrying. Everything can be washed afterwards, and most of it comes out in the first wash. Browse all womens clothing for everyday layers.

The open door brings a draught

With the front door open for hours, cold air comes in while you are warm from working. You switch between sweating on the stairs and feeling cold in the hallway. A thin layer that is easy to take on and off works better than a thick jumper. Hang it in one fixed place so you are not hunting for it between boxes.

Long sleeves protect your arms

Boxes have sharp edges and door frames quickly scrape the skin on your forearms. Long sleeves take most of the small scratches instead of your skin. If you get too warm, roll them up while unpacking and down again when there is carrying to do. A soft sleeve that pushes up and stays there is the most practical choice.

Pockets make the day easier

Keys, phone, a marker and a roll of tape need to be at hand all day. Without pockets, things end up on a box that then gets carried away. Trousers with pockets that hold their contents when you bend down save you many trips back and forth. It sounds like a small thing, but you notice it over eight hours.

Keep a clean change ready for the evening

When the last box is in, you are sweaty and dusty and the new home is full of clutter. Pack a bag with a clean top and a pair of socks, and put it somewhere it will not vanish among the moving boxes. A soft set to pull on after a shower makes the first evening in the new home much nicer.

Wash everything in one go

The day after the move, it is easy to gather all the moving clothes and wash them together. Shake off dust and dirt outside first so it does not end up in the machine. A soft knit handles a normal wash and is ready again for the next day of unpacking. Let it air dry and it keeps its shape for longer.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wear long or short sleeves

Long sleeves are the better choice, because they protect your forearms from boxes and door frames, and you can always roll them up when carrying makes you warm.

What about the heat

You will get warm whatever you wear, so choose thin over thick and keep an extra thin layer nearby that you can put on during breaks.

How many changes should I bring

One change of top and socks halfway through the day is enough for most people, plus a clean set for the evening once everything is inside.