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Just a few days ago, I was suspended above the rainforest, looking out at a sweeping ocean view. Toucans and jungle canopy surrounded me, replacing my New York City brownstone with stays at Rancho Pacifico and Vista Celestial — two luxury hideaways along Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast.
Though part of my family history is rooted in the lush rainforest, the “pura vida” lifestyle — a local greeting and expression that reflects the relaxed, joyful spirit of Costa Rican culture — felt unfamiliar to a New York transplant like me. Living in an environment that encourages the relentless pursuit of more has, unfortunately, left a mark on me.
This is evident in the bags I usually carry. Often oversized and spacious, there’s room to store a book, water bottle, laptop, and even a change of shoes. While that’s not inherently bad, I wanted to lean into the unwound energy of the culture instead, simplifying everything — including my travel essentials. So, I decided to reach for the same unfussy bag all trip long: the Lululemon Everywhere Crossbody Bag.
Where I Took ItFrom the moment I landed at the Juan Santamaría International Airport, the compact bag became less an accessory and more a constant companion. The adjustable strap made it easy to sling across my chest, and the bag stayed close to my body.
Once at the secluded jungle retreat, it slipped effortlessly into the rhythm of the properties, including fancy chef-led dinners and coffee-scrub spa appointments, where I could easily tuck it beside my chair without it getting in the way.
I was also able to stay fully present while visiting Alajuela, the city where my great-grandmother grew up. Because I could wear it across my body, I didn’t have to think much about where I’d left my stuff. And the eight compartments kept me from digging around for my phone or wallet.
How It Held UpThe Costa Rican ecosystem doesn’t ease you in — it immerses you fast. Still, the unexpected weather, wildlife, and topography didn’t pose a threat to the bag.
During a private 50-acre rainforest reserve tour, the accessory moved with ease. The nylon picked up surprisingly little dirt, even after I wore it through sticky humidity and muddy rainforest terrain. I wasn’t particularly precious with it outside the jungle, either. I brought it to Playa Hermosa, tossed it beside the resort’s infinity pool, and wore it on a mangrove boat tour. Even after getting caught in an unexpected rainstorm, the bag dried quickly.
It’s also common to come into contact with monkeys, birds, iguanas, and critters during your stay, whether enjoying a yoga session on your private deck or soaking in a bath outside your treehouse suite. After all, you’re in their home, tucked into the rainforest.
What I Stashed AwayWhat surprised me most, though, was how perfectly the bag held my belongings. Whether I was enjoying the expansive view over breakfast, taking a dip in my personal plunge pool, or grabbing a fresh cup of coffee, it held only the essentials.
My phone, SPF, lip balm, sunglasses, and wallet all neatly nestled together, cutting out frivolous items. In a way, carrying less started to feel in sync with the environment itself: stripped back and intentional.
By the end of my trip, my idea of “carrying” shifted, reminding me to hold on to what’s important and leave the extra weight behind. After all, the bag is about simplicity: disappearing into the flow of the day while leaving space for what really matters — which, in a place like Costa Rica, seems entirely the point.
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From Hailey Bieber’s style (like her stamp of approval on capris and the “big top rule”) to her beauty (from her Rhode peptide eye patches to her go-to red-carpet manicure color), there’s no denying her cultural relevance and influence. And her imprint on the fashion space is only getting deeper because the model is debuting her own jeans… with Gap!
Gap, which is known for it’s many viral collaborations, has just announced that it will be launching The Hailey Jean, a limited-edition denim capsule that reimagines iconic ‘90s-inspired Gap jeans through Bieber’s modern lens. And more than just the campaign, the model-entrepreneur also helped shape the collection through the design, merchandising, and marketing. It’s giving girl boss realness.
The two-piece capsule includes the Extra Baggy Jean, which is inspired by a vintage men’s Gap fit Bieber loved, and the ’90s Low-Rise Loose Jean, both available in three washes chosen by Bieber, plus her signature and “1996” details, according to a press release.
“Gap has been a part of my wardrobe since I was a kid, so this came together very organically,” said Bieber in the release. “1996 was the year I was born and I get a lot of style inspiration from the ’90s because there was something so effortless about that era and the way people wore denim. We wanted the campaign and the collection to capture that same feeling in a way that felt modern, nostalgic, and personal.”
Even more nostalgic, the jeans are made from 100% cotton rigid denim designed to break in over time like a pair of vintage 501 Levi’s or Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-inspired Calvin Klein jeans.
“Hailey understands denim in a very instinctive way — from proportion and fit to how it actually moves and wears on the body,” said Gap’s SVP and global head of design Jane Pattinson in the press release. “Together, we built the collection around the relaxed silhouettes she naturally gravitates toward and the effortless way she styles them in her everyday wardrobe. The pieces feel effortless, personal, and very true to both Hailey and Gap.”
The relaxed-fit jeans are a denim trend that we can certainly get behind, especially when styled with Gap’s cotton baby tees and thong wedges for a full-on ’90s look… as long as you cart up the limited-edition styles quickly enough.
The Gap x Hailey Jean edit is available to shop on July 16 at 12 p.m. EST on Gap.com and Gap stores across North America.
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