Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Wardrobe Essentials Stand The Test Of Time
There are a handful of leading ladies whose style has stood the test of time, chief among them the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. In the ‘90s, the former Calvin Klein publicist became the poster girl for minimalism, with a wardrobe chock-full of timeless essentials. Think of it this way: Bessette-Kennedy walked so this generation of understated fashion girls — Kendall Jenner, Laura Harrier, Sofia Richie, etc. — could run. And with Love Story, the forthcoming FX series chronicling her relationship with husband John F. Kennedy Jr., set to debut this month, Bessette-Kennedy’s enduring style is a major part of the fashion discourse right now.
Rooted in no-fuss, sleek staples, Bessette-Kennedy’s closet featured luxury designers like Prada, Miu Miu, Ann Demeulemeester, and, of course, Calvin Klein. With a high-profile husband and a respected career of her own, the Connecticut native was a paparazzi magnet, always snapped at black-tie galas, fashion parties, political gatherings, and out and about walking their Canaan dog, Friday, in TriBeCa, where the couple resided until they tragically died in 1999 in a plane crash. At said events, Bessette-Kennedy favored streamlined looks, such as tailored outerwear and form-fitting bottoms.
Scroll onward for a rundown of Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe essentials. She was truly the blueprint for quiet luxury.
Tailored Outerwear
As a New York City resident, Bessette-Kennedy, had a well-rounded collection of tailored outerwear. The majority of her coats were rendered in neutral shades (she was the queen of minimalism, after all), like black and cream, save for this checkered red design she wore during a casual city outing. Bessette-Kennedy was also partial to jackets in timeless patterns, such as her beloved leopard print coat.
Akris PuntoBlurred Check Belted Wool Blend Long Coat$1,990$1,194
TotemeClassic Tailored Coat$1,450
RIXOJacoba Jacquard Coat$584
The Frankie Shop Melva Long Coat$655
Rene Double-Breasted Blindseam Coat Wool-Blend in Neutral$598
White Button-Up
No one could pull off a crisp white button-up quite like Bessette-Kennedy. She made the wardrobe staple work for every setting, from formal events to off-duty days, styling it with everything from tailored skirts to straight-leg denim. Follow her lead and keep the piece effortless: roll the sleeves and forego a necklace.
AritziaRelaxed Poplin Shirt$98
Theory Fitted Shirt $225
Comme SiCotton-Poplin Shirt$275
A.L.C.Mason Relaxed Cotton Shirt$395
Frank & Eileen Shirley$228
Oval Sunglasses
From Hailey Bieber to Zoë Kravitz, every cool girl today loves rounding out their looks with oval-shaped sunglasses. But it was arguably Bessette-Kennedy who popularized the frames back in the ‘90s. Her go-to pair hailed from Selima Optique, specifically its Aldo silhouettes. Now, practically every eyewear brand has its own iteration.
Elisa JohnsonLyric Leigh Sunglasses$115
Gentle Monster Loco 01$305
Le SpecsOutta Love Sunglasses$75
Linda FarrowCara Sunglasses$540
MadewellRussell Oval Sunglasses$75
Fitted Skirts
When it came to bottoms, Bessette-Kennedy kept it simple. Perhaps her most-worn silhouette was fitted pencil skirts, which were in step with the former fashion publicist’s minimalist style. Beige wool pieces were a favorite of hers, as were equally pared-back black styles. Meanwhile, Bessette-Kennedy’s signature pencil skirt and knee-high boots combo never disappointed.
Rue SophiaLe Marais Slit Back Skirt$198
Guest In ResidenceTailored Skirt$595$417
PosseEmma Pencil Skirt$299
Reformation Lydia Skirt$248
TibiTropical Wool Maxi Trouser Skirt$395
Tortoiseshell Headband
Anyone who’s ever owned a tortoiseshell headband knows they aren’t the most comfortable accessory out there. But, hey, sometimes fashion is worth a little pain. And, as Bessette-Kennedy proved time and time again, the piece instantly adds polish to every ensemble.
Alexandre de ParisClassic Headband$93
Jennifer BehrTortoise Lydia Headband$98
Emi JayStarlet Headband$34
Sophie Buhai Bessette Headband$275
PradaPlexiglas Headband$650