047: LISSIE CHAPPELL
lives in District Vision sunglasses and sling bags.
This week’s newsletter is coming to you from the airplane. I’m writing as I return to New York from a very dreamy week in Greece. As a classic Virgo and former fashion assistant, I have a perverse love for well-planned vacation packing. For me, it’s an exercise in form and function - how to do the absolute most with the least. Not to be dramatic, but there’s something so liberating about limiting my options, unburdening my mind from too much choice. I usually return home from a trip with lots of new ideas about how to get dressed.
Recently, I broached this topic of travel and style with one of my chicest friends, Lissie Chappell. Last year, after a decade in New York, she decamped to travel solo around the world. To me this is an impressive action on its own, but then I heard that she only packed in carry-ons! In classic Lissie-form, her style didn’t suffer in the slightest and I wanted to hear all about how she did it. I figured you would too. You’ll want to take some notes on this one… read on!
Tell me about your personal style.
LISSIE: As of late, my style consists of very basic, but thoughtfully curated pieces. I worked in marketing for clothing brands for 7 years, but I never considered myself a true fashion person in pure industry terms. I started out in the culinary world for three years, and then had enough curiosity to transition into working with apparel and beauty brands. But I never really believed in the concepts of a fashion calendar and fashion weeks. I most enjoyed working with brands that made functional basics on their own seasonless calendar or by demand. I’m currently in a transitional time, taking my first break from work and traveling solo for half of the year. I’m focused on physical activity, function, and comfort, so my style is the most pared down it’s ever been.
Where did you shop while traveling?
LISSIE: I did less clothing shopping and more visits to markets and ceramic stores. I exercised my willpower and couldn’t fit more than a few new clothing pieces in my suitcase. Some sartorial highlights were:
Australia: Lost & Found flea market in Melbourne. The St. Agni store in Byron Bay and Matteau shop in Noosa Heads.
Japan: Other than the many stellar vintage shops, Kapital lived up to its reputation and it’s worth visiting every Tokyo location! Browsing Kyoto BAL, Hands and Muji megastores for hours was my nirvana.
Athens: It’s A Shirt for perfect button downs.
Copenhagen: I unexpectedly purchased a cream merino polo and navy raw silk shirt at Another Aspect. Despite being 5’1”, I often prefer the cuts of men’s clothing. I also loved these vintage stores: Szôba, Chamoi, Wilén Store, OSV Secondhand and Palette 26.
Paris: The Thanx God I’m a VIP men’s vintage store was a favorite. One of maybe three modern designers I’m ever tempted by is Lemaire. The Marais store is very well done and I’m still thinking about the parachute pants and blouson jacket that were on sale.
Where do you shop when you’re home?
LISSIE: Vintage shops with well-curated basics. I started buying pieces from Maj Kiosk in 2020. I got to catch up with Zoe in Rome and she truly is the best doing it! Front General Store, Chickee’s and Desert Vintage in New York. Scout and Sleeper in LA. The appointment-only Moth Food showroom is another personal heaven. And I’ve used The Real Real for a decade as my main source for bags, shoes, belts and pre-2002 designers like Vivienne Tam, Plein Sud, Prada, Miu Miu and Jil Sander.
As far as new clothing, I’ve been frequenting Maryam Nassir Zadeh since 2013. The FEEL Studio for new denim. Nu Swim for thoughtful swim and RTW. I have my eye on the drawstring pants and cream bandeau. I’ve been loving my Maximum Henry belts. Gil Rodriguez, Flore Flore, Baserange and St. Agni for tops. Paloma Wool for more playful knits and tops. GAP sometimes. I am a sucker for stateside Japanese department stores like Muji and UNIQLO. And many random bits here and there, like learning about Moonstar mules from Habiter. I wear them all the time!
What were your most worn pieces while traveling?
LISSIE: For 4 months across 10 countries, I alternated around 10 bottoms, 10 tops, three bags and 4 shoes. With a few practical accoutrements peppered in. Every item was carefully considered for function, comfort, and ability to wash at a coin laundromat. I was raised in a carry-on-only household that travels for adventure, not turning looks. So I limited my packing to a high performance 35L suitcase and 26L backpack! I lived in:
OSPREY DAYLITE SLING BAG. My most worn item of 2024. I have a more stylish Hyein Seo cream sling bag that I love, but I traveled with the more functional Osprey. I don’t know what I would have done without it. It carries the perfect amount of items and never hurt, as I switched between shoulders throughout long days. It was an almost human-like travel companion, strapped to my chest or on a seat next to me at every meal and on many trains, planes and automobiles.
GOFUKURO SILK TOTE BAG. Found at Hands in Tokyo, this was my second bag and only nicer option.
DISTRICT VISION KOHARU ECLIPSE SUNGLASSES. The only active glasses I wear.
DRAWSTRING PANTS. My friend Lana made the perfect travel pant! The Orseund Iris Lazy Lover Pant in natural & black were my most worn by a long shot. Second most worn were late 90’s Miu Miu from Maj Kiosk. (I’m a huge denim person, but jeans take up a lot of space, so I only brought one pair of cream Levi’s 501’s.)
GIL RODRIGUEZ LAPOINTE TANK. The perfect 90’s silhouette in white & black. I wore out my originals and had to repurchase last year.
ST. AGNI BUTTON DOWN. I scored this steeply discounted one-off sample at the Byron Bay HQ store. It’s the Homme Shirt in a light butter yellow, which my friends have come to call my signature “Lissie” color.
LIVE THE PROCESS SEAMLESS LONG SLEEVE. I’m still wearing the 2017 boatneck version, but the brand has always carried this perfect top with thumb holes. I wear it to hike, city walks, or as a nice top at night.
KAPITAL LONG SLEEVE. A thick green tee made from a slubby cotton jersey with a high neck. I bought it at the Tokyo “Duffle” location and wore it as a shirt, sweater and scarf. It’s not available online, but I also got this thinner long sleeve with pocket that I adore.
BASEBALL HATS. Arc’Teryx Calvus cap and a Theodore Payne Foundation poppy hat that supports California native plant conservation.
EMILY DAWN LONG WANDA HAT. On beach days and for travel days. I tell Emily it’s my hater blocker.
BAREFOOT SHOES. Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II All Weather and Shamma Super Browns sandals. Other than my suitcase and backpack, these took the most pre-trip research and trials. I could write pages about the decision for this long trip. There are many articles and videos about making the switch to barefoot. I feel more in tune with my body while moving and couldn’t be more happy with these specific styles for my travels. That said, I know it’s not for everybody and while I walked 20K+ steps a day and took many hikes, it would take more training to run longer distances in them. I can see why people dedicate their lives to running in these shoes or completely barefoot! Other companies I’m a fan of are Bedrock and Luna.
INJINJI TOESOCKS. I wear the Liner & Sport styles from this beloved Japanese brand. They’re the most ergonomic for barefoot shoes and natural foot movement.
TRANSITIONAL WEATHER HONORABLE MENTIONS. I carefully researched these items to take up minimal space and layer on chilly days. A black Buff for neck, face and head. The one they wear on Survivor. Mountain Hardware technical shell ( green is sold out). The Smartwool merino base quarter zip is the perfect layer.
How has your time traveling changed your approach to getting dressed and shopping?
LISSIE: In early 2023, I already knew I would be traveling for half of 2024. So for over a year, I’ve cut down on shopping and have most of my clothing in storage. Among the many healthy perspectives traveling brings, I knew that evaluating my purchase habits would be a welcome one. It’s only been in the last week that I’ve felt myself missing the fun of my full wardrobe and acquiring one-of-a-kind vintage gems. But the past year has been a welcome pause in all aspects of what became “normal” from a decade of the New York mindset. I’ve further leaned into a deeper practice of putting aside ego and the value society places on ever-changing definitions of what is “desirable” or “cool”. But I do think I’ll have a dressing renaissance once my closet is out of storage and I get to play again. I’ve always considered getting dressed to be a source of joy and I truly dress for only myself.
Most useful things you brought on your travels?
LISSIE: Eagle Creek packing cubes, a mini power bank phone charger and FlipBelt for trail runs.
Did you pack any fun items or is everything functional?
LISSIE: Pretty much everything was functional and comfortable. I only packed three somewhat fun things! I’m not much of a heel person, so I only brought my most worn pair: Manolo Blahnik 1” beige snakeskin slides, which I got for $80 on The Real Real in 2017. They go with everything and are a size 5.5, so barely took up any space. I also packed my belt/belly chain I made a few years ago with stones, shells and pearls from my favorite bead shop in New Orleans. And finally, I brought a few Murano glass pendants that I wear on a brown string necklace.
What pieces are you currently searching for?
LISSIE: Honestly nothing, for now. Which again, is a very welcome pause! Of course I browse and I’m not a perfectly sustainable consumer…I am a human living in the US of A after all. But it’s healthy to remind myself over and over – I don’t need anything. (If you haven’t already, I recommend giving Alec Leach’s book a read.)
I was already a confident traveler, but it felt rewarding to learn even more about what packing habits do and don’t work. I will travel more in the fall and know exactly what I want to pack. I have my carry-on and backpack memorized like a Tetris grid and honestly can’t wait for how satisfying it will feel to be even more efficient!
Curious what carry-on and backpack she used after her research!
Love this so much!