Rachel Cook in Costa Rica: Jungle River Heat (Editorial + Shop + Styling Guide)
Rachel, this is the kind of swim story that feels like a secret location pin you only share with your favorite people. The setting is pure Costa Rica magic: dark volcanic rocks, a ribbon of water, mossy greens, and that low, humid light that makes every highlight look cinematic. This is a fashion editorial plus a shopping and styling guide, built to capture the exact mood and make it easy to recreate.
The bikini is minimal, sharp, and unapologetically graphic. A sleek black triangle top keeps the silhouette clean and athletic, while the bottoms bring the pop: a color hit with red strap details that read like sporty hardware. It is that perfect balance of classic and cheeky, the kind of contrast that photographs like an editorial cover even when the backdrop is wild nature.
Micro scene one: early morning on a stone ledge, hair slicked back, gold hour just waking up, the water doing all the drama for you. Micro scene two: a barefoot hike back to the trailhead in an oversized shirt, wet sandals in hand, sunglasses fogging up, laughing about it anyway. Micro scene three: an open air cafe after the swim, linen thrown on, skin still dewy, and your phone already full of images that look like a campaign.
Why it works: black up top is instantly timeless and flattering, and the color pop at the hip pulls the eye to the waistline for a sculpted, editorial effect. If you want this to feel luxe, avoid thin, shiny fabric that goes sheer when wet. Look for double lining, sturdy elastic, and clean stitching. Now let’s make it easy to shop the mood.
Shop The Look
Go for a black triangle bikini top with adjustable neck and back ties so you can customize lift and spacing, especially for swim shoots in moving water. For the bottoms, look for a low rise string cut with a bold accent strap or color block paneling to echo that red detail. Prioritize double lined fabric, a matte finish, and secure seams that stay put when wet. If you are between sizes, size up in the bottoms for comfort on the hips and size based on band fit for the top.
Style It With
Lean into the jungle river editorial by keeping everything crisp, minimal, and slightly sporty. Throw an oversized white or sand linen button down over the suit, sleeves casually pushed up, and let the wet hair slick back do the styling work. On feet, choose lightweight trail friendly sandals or minimalist water shoes for grip on rocks, then swap to simple leather slides for the cafe moment. Jewelry should be tiny and intentional: a shell bracelet, a slim gold chain, or small hoops that will not fight the scenery.
For accessories, go tonal and practical. A black or natural raffia tote reads resort but still fits the adventure vibe, and a pair of polarized sunglasses keeps the look sharp in shifting light. If you want a photo trick, bring one bright accent item that matches the red detail, like a small hair tie or a lip tint, so the color story stays consistent across shots. Keep makeup barely there and rely on glow: water resistant SPF, a clear brow set, and a tiny bit of balm.
Rachel, this look is proof that minimal can still feel like a headline. If you ever want to turn this jungle river mood into a full lookbook weekend, I am already building the shot list and the styling rack. Let’s do coffee, pick the next location pin, and make it feel even more cinematic.
