Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and the Plight for Personal Style
By Amy Walters
Much like everyone else in this age of influence, I too succumb to the latest trends of Adidas Sambas and ballet flats. Yet, I always come back to the wardrobe of a certain 90s ‘it-girl.’ No other than Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
A publicist from New York, Carolyn found herself a topic of conversation with her marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr in 1996. With their NYC apartment, german shepherd and political ties their relationship was deemed a New York fairytale in the eyes of the American Dream. And with murmurs of Hollywood revisiting the Bessette-Kennedys in a biopic, here’s why her fashion continues to be revisited 30 years on and what I have taken from her, unfortunately, far too short a time as a style icon.
PUT THE BRANDS DOWN!
If there is anything this generation has been cursed with, it's an uncomfortable amount of branded clothing. Whether it's the latest Gucci belt or Vivenne Westwood corset, no recent celebrity look seems to be complete without a blatant example of wealth. Even in everyday life, the uniform of a lot of people seems to be that of a full Adidas tracksuit. Now, whilst there is nothing wrong in investing in high-end clothing, there is an underlying class divide which has come to be visually defined by the brand on your back. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was someone who never gave into the allure of designer labels bestowed upon an outfit, despite her social status. In opposition, Carolyn would often have brands remove obvious labels from her clothes or would wear more vintage pieces. She rather opted for basics, looks that could be achieved whether they were a designer or found at the thrift store.
The Straight Leg Jean
Forget baggy, forget high-wasted and (please if you haven’t already) forget skinny jeans. Only joking, maybe, but one thing you could always count on in a Bessett- Kennedy look is a pair of perfectly cropped straight leg jeans. Often paired with boots or kitten heels, her jeans never dragged on the floor but would sit comfortably at the ankle. Another style she sported was the bootcut jean whether in the form of a dark-wash denim or tan corduroy. Her loyalty to her classic straight-leg jeans inspired me to continue my search in a good, durable pair of jeans. Something I found in the 90s 501 Levi Jean, and despite the price tag, I do undoubtedly wear them a little too much.
Keep it Simple
In a time where cow print Shein tops still hide in the back of our messy wardrobes, Carolyn teaches us that a simple look is often the best investment. Of course statement pieces are always fun, but when we invest in trendy statement pieces we inevitably end up with less outfit options than we thought. Instead, “basic” doesn’t have to be the dirty word it’s become in the modern want to be individual. Having two pairs of staple jeans, a few shirts and jumpers can allow for a good base for any look. So, if you see a top on TikTok you just “must” have, give it a few days and if you forget about it, I promise it wasn’t meant to be. One of my favourite Bessette-Kennedy looks is her leopard print coat, styled down with dark jeans, boots and turtlenecks. Whilst this outfit seemed to be a rarity in comparison to the simplicity of her other looks, it shows how patterns can always be grounded by simple, repeatable staples.
What About Accessories?
Another highlight, or lack thereof, of Carolyn’s looks was her lack of jewellery. Rather than opt for the flashy jewellery at her disposal, she allowed the outfits to speak for themselves. Her wedding and engagement ring also remained the only form of jewellery adorned on Bessette-Kennedy on her wedding day in 1996, allowing her silk wedding dress (designed by Narciso Rodriguez) to be the star of the show. However, you didn't think I could write a Carolyn Bessette deep dive with no mention of her iconic sunglasses or sort after headbands, did you? The sunglasses were a classic oval shape often with a tortoiseshell pattern on the rim. To match, she also sported a classic tortoiseshell headband with many of her looks; the 90s inspired item retailing for ohh.. Just 250 dollars; so much for no designer price tags.
So, though the wardrobe of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy can provide inspiration for the colder months ahead, I also wanted to highlight her own sense of personal style, something many of us are still seeking to find. Unlike others in her position, she never betrayed her own sense of style in exchange for flashy labels or jewellery. Her wardrobe was just one facet of her legacy, as a publicist for Calvin Klein her outfits became a form of expression, a comfort in the busy world of New York fashion. The takeaway shouldn’t be to copy her style, despite what TikTok may tell you, but to wear what makes you feel comfortable, not necessarily what's trending or seen replicated in others. Invest in the basics and maybe a vintage shoe (or two.)
RIP CBK, the fashion world misses you
