Released on Feb. 12, “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” depicts the romance between President John F. Kennedy’s son, John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.
Carolyn worked at Calvin Klein in the ‘90s as a high-level publicist and collaborated closely with Calvin Klein himself. She met JFK Jr. when he came into Calvin Klein to be styled. The two were married in 1996 and tragically died in a plane crash in July 1999.
While Carolyn was famous for being JFK Jr.’s wife, what truly made her magnetic was her mysteriousness and effortless personal style. She didn’t follow fleeting trends, favoring clean lines, basics and understated pieces; her style still holds up today and was truly timeless.
Carolyn never gave any interviews, and there are only a few videos of her on the internet. This reserve from the public deepens people’s intrigue. Her combination of mystique and style continues to captivate audiences today.
Since the series’ release, social media has gone crazy reminiscing about Carolyn’s style, not only for her fashion but also for her effortlessly cool and elusive lifestyle. Today, we are going to take a look at key elements of Carolyn’s look, aka her fashion dos and don’ts.
Carolyn’s wardrobe was full of neutrals, hardly ever wearing color or prints. Her color palette mostly consisted of black, white, denim and brown, with a rare pop of red, almost always in the form of red lipstick. Her favorite red lipstick was Bobbi Brown’s “Crushed Lip Color” in the shade “Ruby.”
Carolyn’s everyday outfit consisted of well-fitting jeans, a basic black top and a pair of black flip flops. The jeans she wore most often resemble Levi’s “Wedgie Bootcut Jeans.”
Her style was minimal, and she hardly ever wore jewelry, saving it for more formal events. She never over-accessorized, instead opting for a clean, laid-back aesthetic.
Carolyn’s staple accessories included her C.O. Bigelow tortoise print headband, a chic and practical way to keep her long blond hair out of her face, and her Selima Optique sunglasses in style “Aldo.” The brand even created a similar style called “The Carolyn” because of how much she wore her “Aldo” pair.
Another one of her favorite accessories was a large tote bag that could be stuffed to the brim. She often carried the iconic Hermés Birkin bag, but she also frequently used L.L. Bean’s “Boat and Tote,” which she took on sailing trips with John F. Kennedy Jr. at Cape Cod.
Carolyn almost never wore logos, as she preferred quiet luxury and, once again, a clean aesthetic. She even once asked the staff at the Prada store to remove a logo from a ski suit she had just purchased.
For a night on the town, Carolyn would usually sport a little black dress. Black slip dresses like the “Silk Slip Dress” from Quince or the “Lynn” dress from Calvin Klein Collection are similar to dresses she wore in the 90s.
During the day, Carolyn’s style was perfectly business casual. She wore lots of dress shirts, loafers and midi skirts. In one of her most copied looks, Carolyn is wearing a basic black top, brown boots and a khaki midi skirt. The “Illustration Skirt” from Aritzia is a good dupe of this iconic skirt.
Decades later, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s iconic, laid-back, ‘90s look continues to capture audiences’ attention. What was most important about her look was that it was uniquely her own. She opted out of trends and simply wore whatever she wanted.
Her clean, simple style is what made her so chic. Even her wedding dress was simple. She wore a silk, floor-length cowl neck gown that was custom-made by her close friend, Narciso Rodriguez.
Not only was her dress understated, but so was the wedding itself. She and JFK Jr. got married at a tiny rustic chapel on Cumberland Island with just 40 guests in attendance. The intimate wedding mirrored her minimalist style and quietly elegant way of life.
In summary, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy said no to flashy logos, over-accessorizing, bright colors and fleeting trends, and yes to neutrals, simple quality pieces and an understated elegance that was uniquely her own.
While she might always be known for her marriage to JFK Jr., what cements her as an icon is her effortlessly cool fashion sense and lifestyle. For more Carolyn inspiration, check out my Pinterest board!
