Travel

The Travel Wardrobe Basics Trish Wescoat Pound Packed for Her Summer Vacation

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Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

Trish Wescoat Pound knows the power of a good capsule wardrobe—so much so that she founded a wildly popular brand, TWP, based on the very concept: from impeccably tailored slacks, to slinky slip dresses, to cozy cashmere sweaters, she’s developed a cult following of fashionable New York women. (It’s a race to snag your size on Moda Operandi before it sells out.) And this September, TWP is on the official New York Fashion Week calendar for the first time.

Before the brand’s debut NYFW presentation, Wescoat Pound and her daughter Jillian took a vacation in Europe that included stops in Tangier (where they stayed at Yves Saint Laurent s former villa), Milan, the South of Spain, Lake Como, and Forte dei Marmi. The designer managed to pack for the entire trip in a single suitcase. That’s impressive for a journey that includes multiple continents and climates—and beyond so for one that mixed business with pleasure: the mother-daughter duo attended a wedding and a trade fashion show back to back. “My daughter and I went to Milan Unica, a fabric show, where mills showcase their upcoming collections—we were sourcing for our upcoming spring 2025 collection,” Wescoat explains.

The very act of travel is a perennial inspiration for Wescoat. “Packing for trips informs my design choices: What are my must haves? What am I missing? I design for what I want and need in my life,” she says.

So below, read her tips on how to lightly yet fashionably travel in style—as well as how she styled each piece throughout her travels. “Taking them on vacation gives me an opportunity to wear them in new ways,” she says of her basics.

Button-Ups
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“Floating on a boat on Lake Como inspired the color story for the summer collection: white, blues, and greens inspired by the different colors of the lake depending on the direction of the sun and the foliage on the banks,” says Wescoat Pound.

Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

The first things I throw into my bag are button-ups. Striped and white button-ups are most of my travel attire, if not all. I’ll be wearing them with every outfit day and night.

Denim Shirts
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The designer in a Tangier courtyard.

Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

I always bring a lot of denim shirts (so versatile!), like our Ex T and OG Supersized Rancher in dark wash.

Crewneck Sweaters
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“We spent lazy days at the beautiful hotel, days full of long lunches and early dinners, and spent time reading, as well as indulging in hammams and time at the spa,” Wescoat Pound says of Tangier, where she stayed at Yves Saint Laurent’s former home of Villa Mabrouka. “El Morocco Club’s jazz bar made a fun Saturday night out for us, but otherwise it was hard to leave the hotel’s restaurant where service and ambiance were perfect.”

Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

I need a lot of sweaters for traveling—always pack multiple crewnecks, both in light heather gray and ivory as well as pops of colors like our weird green.

Classic Tees
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“When Jillian [Wescoat Pound’s daughter] was younger, I used to bring her to Forte Dei Marmi,” she says. “It brought back a lot of nostalgia to visit again, but also was a full-circle moment,” the designer says.

Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

Classic tees and knit tanks in gray and white are a must.

Something With Sparkle
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Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

I always pack a little sparkle. It dresses up anything.

Minimal Beauty Products

Davines hair detangler and Supergoop sunscreen are always in my beach bag. I only bring a little makeup because when you’re by the beach you always look better. I packed my favorite Westman Atelier products—the foundation stick and their baby cheeks lip balm in chouchette. To stay moisturized, I brought my Augustinus Bader rich cream. These are all the products I need.

Lots of Linen
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“We stayed at the Hotel Passalacqua where attention to detail is not missed,” says Wescoat Pound.

Photo: Courtesy of Trish Wescoat Pound

Viscose-linen is my favorite fabric for summer—I brought several pairs of trousers and our Sweet Pea blazer, which was perfect for dinners with my daughter and nights at the Morocco Club in Tangier.

Vintage (Bought As You Go)

Jillian and I love to vintage shop when we travel. And we shop more in general when we are away. I’m just more open to receiving when I’m on vacation—so many great finds and so inspiring. You can never have enough Spanish cotton blouses! Cute funky mules were on the horizon too for us.