Hey gorgeous! If you‘re a fashion lover like me who‘s always on the hunt for unique pieces that make a major statement, you‘ve probably heard of Cult Gaia. This LA-based brand has been blowing up your Instagram feed for the past few years with its instantly iconic accessories and breezy bohemian-meets-artsy clothing. But with Cult Gaia‘s higher price points and "it girl" status, you might be wondering: Is this brand really worth the hype?
As someone who basically stalks Cult Gaia‘s dreamy Instagram and has carefully curated a mini collection of the brand‘s signature pieces (yes, I‘m a bit of a fangirl), I‘m here to give you the full scoop. In this super honest, detail-packed Cult Gaia review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about the brand, including:
- An overview of Cult Gaia‘s story and aesthetic
- Hits and misses from their most popular items
- My personal experience styling and wearing Cult Gaia pieces
- Insights from other customers and reviewers
- An analysis of Cult Gaia‘s quality, price point, and overall worth
By the end of this post, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if investing in some Cult Gaia magic is right for you. Let‘s dive in!
The Cult Gaia Story
First, a little background. If you‘re not familiar with Cult Gaia, it‘s a fashion and lifestyle brand that was founded in LA in 2012 by designer Jasmin Larian Hekmat. What started as a small collection of flower crowns and turbans handmade from vintage silks quickly grew into a full-blown fashion phenomenon, thanks to Hekmat‘s unique eye and flair for dramatic, natural-inspired designs.
Over the past decade, Cult Gaia has become known for its statement-making accessories (most notably the Ark bag, which I‘ll get to in a sec), flowy dresses and separates in natural materials and earthy prints, and artful shoes and jewelry that look more like mini sculptures. The vibe is a mix of laid-back California cool and Grecian goddess, with a touch of 70s glam. Think Studio 54 meets Coachella meets a fabulous tropical vacation.
Part of what makes Cult Gaia so covetable is that its pieces are designed to be "beautiful heirloom items you‘ll have in your closet forever," according to Hekmat. The silhouettes and materials are trendy yet timeless, and everything is made in small batches by artisans using traditional techniques and high-end, eco-friendly materials like bamboo, seagrass, and recycled metal. This attention to craftsmanship does come at a price – most Cult Gaia pieces are in the $200-$500 range. But the flip side is that you‘re investing in truly special items that can be passed down and treasured for years.
Another reason to love Cult Gaia is the brand‘s commitment to giving back. They‘ve partnered with various non-profit organizations over the years, including LA‘s Downtown Women‘s Shelter, to donate unsold and gently used items to women in need. Cult Gaia also regularly creates limited-edition pieces to support causes like racial justice, women‘s health, and the environment. So when you buy from this brand, you can feel good knowing you‘re supporting a business that uplifts women and makes a positive impact.
Cult Gaia‘s Most Iconic Pieces
Okay, now let‘s get to the good stuff – the products! While Cult Gaia offers a full range of clothing, shoes, and accessories, there are a few cult-fave pieces the brand is especially known for. Here‘s my take on some of their greatest hits:
The Ark Bag
The Ark is the bag that put Cult Gaia on the map when it launched in 2016. It‘s a structured bamboo clutch with a distinctive crescent shape, like a chic little half moon. I remember the first time I saw it on Instagram – I literally stopped scrolling and thought, "I need that in my life immediately."
The OG Ark comes in two sizes (small and mini) and a few classic colorways (like natural, black, and tortoise), but Cult Gaia has released tons of fun iterations over the years, from sparkly acrylic to neon tinted to woven seagrass. The coolest part is that despite the sculptural shape, the Ark is actually pretty roomy inside – I can easily fit my iPhone, cardholder, keys, lipstick, and even a small pair of sunnies in mine.
At around $150 for the mini and $250 for the small, the Ark is definitely a splurge, but IMO it‘s totally worth it. The quality and craftsmanship are incredible, and I‘ve had strangers stop me on the street multiple times to ask where I got it. It elevates even a basic jean shorts and tee outfit into an Insta-worthy lewk. If you buy anything from Cult Gaia, this should be it!
The Serita Dress
This slinky knit dress is another Cult Gaia staple. The fitted, ankle-length silhouette has a plunging V neckline, an open crisscross back, and circular cutouts at the waist that show a hint of skin. The effect is effortlessly sexy but still tasteful – like something a Bond girl would wear on vacation.
The Serita comes in a rainbow of colors, from earthy neutrals to bright citrusy shades. I have it in two colors myself, a rust-y terracotta and a sage green, because I love it that much. The fabric is a soft, ribbed cotton blend that‘s light enough for hot summer days but also stretchy and curve-hugging. I usually wear it with lace-up sandals and gold jewelry for dinner dates or dressy events, but you could also pair it with sneakers and a denim jacket for a more casual daytime vibe.
The only downside is that the Serita runs a little small, especially if you‘re blessed with curves. I‘m usually between a S and M and ended up going with a M in this dress for a comfier, less va-va-voom fit. So I‘d recommend sizing up if you‘re unsure!
The Jila Sandal
Cult Gaia is also known for its funky, architectural shoes, and the Jila is one of their signature styles. It‘s a chunky-heeled sandal with transparent straps and a spherical acrylic ball heel that looks like it belongs in a modern art museum. Seriously, it‘s wild – in the best way.
I have the Jila in the matte cream colorway, but it also comes in clear, tortoise, and even a neon pink for my fellow color lovers. The ball heel is about 3 inches high, which sounds intimidating, but it‘s actually pretty sturdy and comfy to walk in thanks to the thick straps and slingback. I love pairing these with flowy dresses or wide-leg pants to really let them shine. And they‘re guaranteed to turn heads wherever you go – I‘ve even had a waiter do a double take and ask if he could take a picture of them!
At around $350, the Jila is definitely up there in price, but the quality is amazing. The acrylic is thick and weighty (no cheap plastic vibes here), the leather is buttery soft, and the craftsmanship is A+. Plus, they make any outfit look way more expensive and fashion-forward, so you can justify the cost per wear.
What Other Customers Have to Say
Of course, you shouldn‘t just take my word for how awesome Cult Gaia products are. I‘ve scoured reviews from other customers to get a broader sense of how these pieces stack up IRL. Here are some highlights:
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Ark bag: "The most perfect unique bag I have ever seen!" "This bag is a work of art – it looks like a sculpture. It‘s smaller than I expected but fits all the essentials. I get compliments every time I use it." "Beautiful, high quality, and surprisingly sturdy for a wooden bag. Worth the money IMO!"
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Serita dress: "This dress is STUNNING and hugs my body in all the right places. The color is to die for and the fabric is thin and stretchy but not at all see through. I want it in every color now!" "Runs small but oh so worth it. Had to size up from my usual but it was perfect and I got so many compliments!" "My fave LBD – cool and effortless but still sexy. I wear it everywhere!"
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Jila sandal: "These shoes are even more incredible in person. They‘re a statement piece! Totally make any outfit look expensive." "Wore these to a wedding and got stopped so many times. They‘re like wearable art!" "Love love love! Comfy enough to dance in and soooo chic. I wish I could buy them in every color."
Overall, the consensus seems to be that while Cult Gaia pieces are pricey, the quality, style, and attention to detail make them worth the investment for many shoppers. Most reviewers rave about the endless compliments they receive and how special and unique the items feel compared to other brands. There are a few notes about inconsistent sizing (the clothing tends to run small FYI) and some wish the prices were a bit more accessible. But by and large, customers say Cult Gaia pieces make them feel beautiful and live up to the hype.
Bottom Line: Is Cult Gaia Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?
Okay babe, moment of truth. You‘ve seen the gorg designs, heard my unfiltered thoughts, and gotten insight from other real customers. So what‘s the final verdict on if Cult Gaia is worth spending your hard-earned cash on? Here‘s my take:
If you appreciate slow fashion, truly unique, high-quality pieces, and don‘t mind splurging on items that will make a big impact in your wardrobe, Cult Gaia is absolutely worth checking out. Their pieces are the epitome of wearable art – beautifully constructed by hand from natural materials, designed to be treasured forever, and guaranteed to turn heads and start convos wherever you go. Owning a few key items from this brand will undoubtedly elevate your style and make you feel like you can take on the world.
That said, Cult Gaia‘s aesthetic is definitely specific and not for everyone. If you‘re more into minimalist, uniform dressing or prefer lower price points, you might not find as much to love here. The pieces can feel OTT if your style is more subtle, and the designer price tags are no joke. Also, the revealing cuts and clingy fabrics of some of the clothing may not feel accessible for all body types or lifestyles, which is important to note.
At the end of the day, fashion is all about expressing yourself and having fun. For me, wearing Cult Gaia brings me major joy and lets me live out my bohemian art muse fantasies, so the investment is 100% worthwhile. But you have to go with your gut on what feels authentic and exciting to you!
If you‘re new to the brand, I recommend starting with one of their signature accessories, like the Ark bag or a statement shoe. You can build tons of outfits around those focal pieces and really get your cost per wear, while dipping your toe into the Cult Gaia magic. Stalk their IG for inspo, check out customer reviews for fit tips, and don‘t be afraid to embrace your inner Mother Earth goddess. Life‘s too short not to let yourself shine, am I right?
However you choose to rock Cult Gaia, just know that you are worthy of walking into any room and having everyone‘s jaws on the floor over your lewk. I hope my Cult Gaia review has given you all the deets you need to make an empowered decision about what works for you and your style. And if you do end up snagging a piece from this iconic brand, please tag me so I can hype you up! We‘re all goddesses here.
Xx,
Your Resident Cult Gaia Fangirl
