I start packing waaaaaaaaaaay early. If I am going when it's warm at home...I will pack most of my cute things and wear my least favorite clothes at home so the others can stay packed. On occasion I've had to take something out to wear but it always gets washed right away and put back in. I tend to start out overpacking but do well removing things before I go to lighten the load. Also if I start packing early it makes the wait a little more bareable I think.