As a proprietor of a vast nightgown collection, I fell in love with Nuisette the second I started to see the brand grace the likes of every “cool-girl” I follow in my feed. And naturally, when I got my own and it arrived in the most charming tie-cotton envelope (perfect for packing repurposing) with a hand-knit baby angel sourced from an Alpine antiques market, I desperately wanted to know more about the founders. Growing up in Geneva, sisters Samantha and Clarisa Osio founded Nuisette in search of the perfect nightgown with utmost versatility that can go from day to night, or night to day, without a hitch—epitomizing modern Alpine-girl style. We chatted with them about how they pack, their go-to travel uniforms and packing hacks, as well as their favorite spots in Gstaad and the village of Saanen.
What’s your go-to luggage and why?
Clarisa: I barely ever check a bag, so I stick to the Away carry-on in dark green. I’m also very attached to my green suede Vanessa Bruno tote. It was my middle school bag, and now it’s become my travel bag. The size is perfect, the suede has aged beautifully, and the fact that I’ve had it for over a decade makes it feel even more special.
Samantha: Carry on – old Away discontinued model that is expandable. If you know me well, I am not a light packer; work in progress. If the trip is longer than 5 days, I’ll definitely be checking in one of my also very old Tumi hard cases. I need to refresh. I have been eyeing ones from Bric’s. Clarisa should respond, “Whatever my mom lends me.”
How do you approach the basics?
Clarisa: My goal is always to pack as little as possible. I stick to versatile basics that I can repeat throughout a trip and rely on accessories to style them. As the youngest sibling, I also tend to borrow from my mom’s and sisters’ suitcases, which helps. I always bring a Nuisette with me. I’ll wear it over a swimsuit, sleep in it, or throw it on for a stroll around town. A friend once told me she never travels without hers because it feels like bringing a little piece of home with her. I couldn’t agree more. It adds a sense of comfort and whimsy to every trip. And lastly, one rule my dad taught us growing up: never travel without a swimsuit, no matter where you’re going.
Samantha: I like to try to pack by outfit and actually end up avoiding too many basics except for a white button-down. (Ralph Lauren, TWP, Charvet, but also have some Uniqlo ones, which work great. Also, I love how soft Rubirosas are, but get more colorful ones here.) And our nighties, of course – by doing so, I end up being more resourceful and putting together some outfits I wouldn’t think to wear in my day-to-day; also love repeating.
Are you a roller or a folder?
Clarisa: Folder 100%
Samantha: I am an “expander”? I lay everything as flat as possible to maximize space and avoid creases.
Any other packing tricks or hacks?
Clarisa: I’m probably about to make my mom and sisters roll their eyes with this one, but my favorite packing hack is the paper-bag trick. If my carry-on is completely full and I’ve run out of room in my purse, I’ll tuck a few extra items into a paper shopping bag and carry it separately. It has rescued me from checking a bag more than once. A controversial method, perhaps, but the fellow schleppers will understand.
Samantha: I should probably have many packing tricks (our mom is a geek at this and loves all the gadgets/tools), other than using my Nuisette packs as undergarment baggies, no real tricks. Oh, If I am going to a wedding, I’ll usually take the dress in a dry-cleaning plastic bag/cover. This helps a lot with wrinkles. Lastly, I wear my clunkiest shoes on the plane, whether it’s my sneakers for hiking or cowboy boots, never not with my Luccheses. Clarisa will probably be wearing whatever did not fit inside her carry on – you should see her at the airport, fun outfits). The latest packing hack, however, is definitely our nighties. Especially for summer in the Alps: they’re good for layering and look great with a blazer/Austrian-style jacket from Sanoe (the Sophie Midnight for a more oversized fit and the Annabelle Kamel really dresses up any outfit; you can also use it as a top on its own with jeans). They also look great with an oversized cashmere sweater, especially the Swiss Dot with the collar sticking up on top (and the classic sheer of course); I can’t go anywhere without it, even if it’s just to have to sleep and while getting ready…. plus being in Switzerland in the mountains, I literally feel like Liesl von Trapp. I am currently obsessed with People’s Republic of Cashmere and I selfishly want them to come out with a dark-color quarter-zip. Love Leret Leret always, so versatile and fun, and I love that all of mine are personalized. It’s not cashmere, but feels wrong not to mention because of how much I love them, is Harley of Scotland.
What’s your shoe strategy?
Clarisa: My shoe selection for summer in the Alps, or really any trip, is almost automatic. I wear my knee-high boots (more below), then pack my Black Salomons, a pair of K.Jacques sandals I’ve owned for over 15 years, Repetto flats, slippers, and Havaianas. I don’t spend much time worrying about whether every shoe works with every outfit. Somehow it always works itself out. I pack them all in shoe bags, and if I’m running out of room, I’ll simply apply the paper bag trick and schlep away.
My go-to boots are my Isabel Marant suede riding boots! (Bummed because they are discontinued but they are the best because they have a little heel inside and so flattering with shorts, dresses & jeans). Here are a couple I found on TRR: Isabel Marant Riding Boots – Black; Isabel Marant Riding Boots – Grey.
Samantha: Shoe strategy – difficult department and I usually end up wearing the same pair on repeat. Luccheses have been a game changer for me because they are so versatile. Can dress up or down.
How do you think about accessories?
Clarisa: I don’t pack much clothing, but I always pack accessories. A pashmina, my Cano earrings, a necklace, sunglasses (Raybans, either the original Wayfarer or the RB4043, discontinued, but there are still quite a few available on eBay. I also love my friends Athina and Leila’s sunglasses brand, Side Eye—my favorite style is the 223 Butler in Havana), or a great belt that takes up almost no space. It’s nice to bring pieces that don’t always get much wear at home.
Samantha: I am a big belt girl, but end up narrowing it down to two max. Being in the mountains, jeans, a white tee or button down with a good belt is really my everyday look if I am not in my nightie or hiking clothes. Depending on destination, love a fun hat, though less so for the Alps. Always a neutral color scarf (I’m very sensitive to wind), a fun silk scarf (often Vintage Hermes stolen from our mom) and my jewelry is always Cano – it elevates any outfit in an eccentric way. Oh lastly, always a bathing suit (Eres or Tropic of C); since we were young, our dad would always say to bring a bathing suit wherever you’re going so it’s engraved in us, but in the Alps there are so many lakes and water activities it’s a must.
Do you have a great travel hat?
Clarisa: I don’t have a signature travel hat, although I’ve been on the lookout for a raffia sailor hat to wear with our nighties this summer. I do, however, always travel with a cashmere hoodie (I love Notshy or Nüüle.) It keeps me warm on the plane and doubles as a hood so my hair doesn’t touch the airplane seat. I have my friend Emi to thank for that trick.
Samantha: Love my hats (mostly Janessa Leone), but struggle on practicality for travel; I keep forgetting to purchase those magnets that clip onto bags. There are, however, some great styles that fold. I recently tried on ones I loved (by Reinhard Plank) at Les Toiles, one of my favorite boutiques in Palm Beach.
What’s always in your Dopp kit/toiletry bag/pharmacy kit?
Clarisa: I always pack my face cream and body oil, both from Avène, my one and only perfume, Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford, and the Bonpoint perfume before bed. A toothbrush, and nail clippers, because I have an irrational fear of my nails extending even a millimeter past my fingertips. For things like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, I usually buy them locally. I love having an excuse to try something new and discover the products people use wherever I’m visiting.
Samantha: This is what always gets me and adds those last minute extra kilos. I try to simplify my skin routine while traveling or buy travel-sized containers, but there is something about being away from home that makes the routines more pleasant and more of a “ritual,” at least for me, so I take all the masks and sheet masks I never actually do at home. Cible skin products which I swear by, along with Verdoie moisturizer (the bestttt, especially with the dryness of the mountains), and my heart-shaped guasha. Pharmacy kit, you name it. I have it all, although all my favorite emergency pharmacy products are from Switzerland, so I avoid carrying the Neocitran, Biafine or Aerius with me and stock up while I’m there.
On a plane, what essentials does your carry-on bag always contain?
Clarisa: My carry-on is usually a mix of practical and sentimental: my laptop, Kindle, headphones, a scapular; a small pouch with hand cream, blush, chapstick, lip gloss; and my diary. Airplanes have always been one of my favorite places to think and write.
Samantha: Disinfectant wipes, earpods, chargers, chapstick, journal, and whatever I had to remove from my checked-in bag to make it lighter.
Any wisdom on traveling with electronics?
Clarisa: As the little sister, my strategy remains unchanged whether I’m traveling with siblings, friends, or my boyfriend: pack less and borrow everyone else’s chargers. That said, I do try to keep electronics to a minimum. A laptop, Kindle, headphones, and one charger are usually enough.
Samantha: I’m still trying to learn how to work more from my iPad to avoid having to carry my heavy laptop, but no luck yet. I need my brick at all times.
Do you have a travel uniform?
Clarisa: I have a very simple travel uniform: jeans, a belt I’ll wear throughout the trip, a Petit Bateau cotton T-shirt, and a cashmere zip-up hoodie. I usually wear my Isabel Marant knee-high boots and my favorite Falke socks. The finishing touch is whatever bulky item refused to fit in my carry-on.
Samantha: Yes; jeans, a white button down, belt, scarf and my cowboy boots or hiking sneakers. For jeans, I rotate between vintage Levi’s, Kallmeyer and a very old low-waisted Zara pair and Khaite jeans. My white tees are mostly Petit Bateau, and I love the pain white Reformation t-shirts (love the less-fitted fit and they’re very good quality).
Sam & Clari’s Gstaad and Saanen Favorites
We love Gstaad, but our biggest crush is Saanen, a smaller village in the same valley. Although people are more familiar with it by now, it still has more of a real mountain feeling with actual farmers, what Gstaad probably felt like years ago. We love the 40-min walks from Gstaad to Saanen in the mornings; it is so relaxing to walk past the horse stables and rivers, and we usually end with breakfast at Early Beck — we love the local yogurts and cheeses there. (We’ll probably stock up on some treats for later, like merengues, double cream and berries, or Caracs, a childhood staple!)
Stays
We either stay at our aunt’s or at our friend Sebastian’s chalets/farmhouses, 84 Club Chalets, that give you the real Swiss mountain experience.
Eat
Cafe du Cerf, Rougemont – Fondue, of course, but their emince de veau with roesti is our weakness.
Also anywhere they have a saucisse de veau, order it. It is a staple of Switzerland and difficult to find elsewhere. Sam will sometimes smuggle some back to Paris.
Olden Gstaad, a classic. A hack is to go during aperitivo and they have the mini portion of their penne a la vodka. Also, we just die for the super authentic branding: the menus, decor, bathroom tiles.
Gstaad Chocolate Shop – Best mini chocolate and yogurt popsicles… addicting. The owner is so talented. It’s a great spot to pick something up from if invited to a dinner — their heart shaped apple tarts are too much!
Shop
La Vache Bleue, Saanen – Vintage store where we’ve found some great pieces over the years.
Lorenz Bach OUTLET, Saanen – Amazing priced designer pieces (and belts!) such great mountain pieces.
Heimatwerk, Saanen – Hand-painted ceramic store. Great for mugs!
Saturday Markets – This is where we met Ivana, who hand knits the angels for Nuisette. She does the most beautiful knitted work, and we’re so lucky to work with her.
Visit/Do
Tarmak 22, often has great art exhibits. They had a beautiful Calder one recently that we loved.
Alfred Ski & Bike Shop Gstaad – Rent electric bikes and go mountain biking (maybe have a pizza after when you drop them off at Hotel Arc en Ciel – also a very kid-friendly hotel; we used to stay there and it was recently refurbished.)
Other Favorites:
Sonnenhof in Saanen
Le Grand Chalet in Gstaad
Roessli in Feutersoey
Lunch up on Wasserngrat (take the chairlift up)
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