To master the art of travel fashion is to keep a uniform —an arsenal of well-made basics that can be mixed and matched depending on the climate, mode of transport, and itinerary. Enter Madewell, a purveyor of perfect T-shirts, vintage-inspired denim, and leather goods since 2006. Whether you need a versatile button-down that can double as a dinner top and beach cover-up , or a do-it-all tote that serves as your personal item, Madewell is stocked with your travel essentials—the pieces you pack again and again.

If J.Crew is the preppy girl boss, Madewell is her artsy younger sister. The brand’s history actually dates back to 1937 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where it started out as a workwear company, producing heavy duty denim overalls and corduroy-lined jackets until its closing in 1989. Mickey Drexler, former CEO of J.Crew, acquired the name and logo in 2004, relaunching Madewell two years later.…