Vogue Circle 20 Jun 2025

Justine Lee: What I’m Packing For The Summer Holidays

by Justine Lee

I will be travelling to several cities in the States to visit friends, spending most of my summer in Austria, and will also squeeze in a Southeast Asian beach trip at the beginning of June. Here’s the catch—I had to fit everything in one suitcase. Scroll on to see how I edited my wardrobe and what I packed with me.

The Essentials

Rimowa Trunk Plus

I’ll be traveling for over a month and because I’ll be stopping over and transiting in several cities, I figured it would be easiest with just one piece of luggage. This Rimowa Trunk Plus has been my trusty travel companion for several years now and it’s safe to say it’s going to get me through all my summer travels. This suitcase fits a substantial amount of things if you’re strategic (ie. Flat pack the big items, roll t-shirts or shorts and use packing cubes).

Chanel Les Exclusifs Fragrance — Sycomore

While travelling to several different destinations, I usually only bring one fragrance with me. I’ll use it on my skin, on my clothes, on my sheets and even sometimes as a room spray to have a comforting scent of familiarity with me while on the road. I’ve always gravitated towards earthy, woody scents and Sycomore is a scent I always revisit. It has a smoky vetiver top note, but also leaves behind cedar and vanilla notes.

A Good Book: Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

I picked this book up at JFK, there was a book store with a wall of best sellers from each year dating back to 1970. I had read some of the recommendations from the recent years so I decided to pick up Kitchen, which was published in my birth year, 1988.

Beda Multi-Active Treatment Essence

I ordered a new bottle of this Beda treatment essence to take with me this summer, and I use it religiously morning and night. This light milky serum is formulated with traditional Chinese medicine extracts that helped me drastically over the years with my skin tone, bumpy textures and lightened my sun spots, and works great under a lotion and sunscreen during the day in any kind of climate.

Oribe Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner

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If I travel for more than a week or so, I always tend to pack my own shampoo and conditioner, it provides some sort of familiarity to my routine back home. I don’t dye my hair much, but I will always splurge on Oribe hair products. I use the Gold Lust shampoo and conditioner, and it keeps my long hair shiny and smooth.

New Balance 530 Sneakers

I really had to limit the amount of shoes I packed with me this trip. I’ve gone through more pairs of 530’s than I can count on a single hand, so these definitely had to come with me. Great airplane sneaker, and also offers enough support for workouts, runs and long city walks. I picked up this colour way during my trip in Europe, which I haven’t seen in any of the stores in Hong Kong.

Adventures in the Mountains

Hermès Aline Grooming Bag

I had to be very mindful about what to pack this summer as I was traveling to several destinations and climates, and doing it all with just one suitcase. Accessories that packed easily and flat that could be styled in various situations were ideal. The Hermès Aline grooming bag is simple and can be worn over the shoulder or cross body.

Salomon XT6 GTX Sneakers

I thought about leaving these Salomons behind when I was editing the contents of my suitcase, but I’m so glad I didn’t. They’ve become somewhat of a fashion sneaker but they’re built for the outdoors. They’re great with casual clothes and they are probably the only pair of sneakers that I actually want in fun colors (my boring go-to palette tends to be in shades of white, beige and grey).

Carhartt Bib Overalls

My son has these Carhartt overalls, and I decided to get a pair to match him this holiday. These are the first pair of bib overalls I’ve owned as an adult, so I’m definitely having fun in these. I plan to wear these a cropped tank or sports bra inside and my trusty Salomon sneakers.

Citizens of Humanity Marcelle Cargo Pants

I have these cargo pants from Citizens of Humanity in 3 colors, and they are my most worn pants in the summer months. They can be worn with an oversized button down, t-shirts, bodysuits, while the hemline hits right at the ankles, which make them great with sneakers or sandals. Plus the countless cargo pockets come in handy, especially toting around a toddler everywhere.

Loro Piana Windmate Bomber

This was my latest purchase from Loro Piana back when they had the pop-up at the Landmark Atrium. It’s a jacket that always goes with me on trips, it’s reversible, water-repellent and wind-resistant and comes with a small travel bag. It takes up almost no luggage space and has saved me many times when the weather unpredictably turns cold or rainy.

Mate The Label Organic Cotton Leggings and T-shirts

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My good friend put me on this certified B corp organic cotton label this summer. Natural fibers work much better on the skin, especially when it’s hot and sweaty out. No pesticides and no toxic dyes. I’ve ordered a few things from their website and am most excited to try their organic cotton leggings and T-shirts.

Summer in the City

Chanel Oval Sunglasses

A good pair of sunglasses is an important accent to any summer look and these sunglasses from Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 topped by wishlist when I saw them on Kendrick Lamar when he made his debut as the new house ambassador. The narrow rectangular shape is universally flattering for any face shape, and the glass bead details at the temples give it an extra elegant touch.

Saint Laurent Leather Bomber

I bought this as a gift to myself during my birthday back in April. I was worried I wouldn’t get much wear out of it before summer hits, but packed it with me anyway. I’m so glad I did—this oversized boxy jacket worked great over shorts and t-shirts during the breezy days and with dresses and flats for dinners and nights out.

Toteme Maxi Knit Dress

I’ve spotted lots of these hybrid knit maxi dresses (stretch knit bodice with a draped or flown skirt), and have been on the hunt for the perfect one. I was looking for a duo tone one (black on top, white on the bottom), but this burnt orange number by Toteme stuck out. A great summer in the city piece that works with flip flops, sandals or ballerina flats.

The Frankie Shop Jacket and Shorts

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I picked up this set from The Frankie Shop while in New York City- brown is definitely my go-to colour (when it’s too hot to wear black, haha).

Alaïa Mesh Ballerina Flats

There’s without a doubt you’ve seen these flats on the internet, and there’s a good reason for it—it’s because they are ridiculously comfortable. I love these in the breathable mesh, and they go with just about anything.

Beach Escape

Faithfull Bandana Top and Matching Skirt

Australian label, Faithfull, has been a longtime summer favorite of mine. From linen separates to beach friendly cotton dresses, you really can’t go wrong with anything from their warm weather assortment. I’m eyeing this bandana top and matching skirt in linen, as they can be worn together or separately- the bandana top would look great with baggy low-waist jeans, while the skirt can work as a coverup for a day on the beach.

Eres Swimsuit

Whenever someone asks me to recommend a good swimsuit for a trip, French label (owned by Chanel) is always on the top of my list. I have suits from them in my wardrobe that go back nearly a decade- the styles are truly timeless and their fits are impeccable. One style I’m eyeing for this summer is the Ecume one-piece. It strikes the perfect balance of function and fashion- the side cut-out gives it a chic two-piece effect, and I love the gold bead detailing on the shoulder strap.

Ruslan Baginskiy HatBag

I met the team behind Ruslan Baginskiy many years ago in Paris during Fashion Week, and I have loved watching them grow their brand into the international success that it is now. They are my go-to for summer hats. While I will keep my traditional straw hats at home (as they’re hard to pack), Ruslan and his team have developed new foldable styles and even this one that cleverly transforms from a bucket hat to bucket bag. Easy to pack and great for the beach- it’s a win-win.

Everyday Humans Good Times SPF50 Sunscreen Spray

Sunscreen is essential no matter where I travel to, and while I may be limited in space in my suitcase this summer, one thing I will not leave behind is my favorite Everyday Humans Good Times sunscreen spray. It works for both face and body, and is the easiest for re-application.

The Row Dune Flip Flop

First of all, can I say how thrilled I am that flip flops are trending? I’ve never stopped wearing them, and they are truly the best sandal shape I live in all summer long. The Dune flip flops from The Row are topped my warm weather wishlist and they’re coming with me this trip. They’re versatile and can work on the beach just as well as they can work in the city. I’ve opted for the style in the beige rubber base instead of my go-to option of all black.