CBK: Frozen in Time
Elegant. Poised. Mysterious. Avant garde.
You simply cannot discuss fall fashion without mentioning the pinnacle of 90s style, or, dare I say, 90s fashion as a whole. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy embodies it all.
To those in the know, Bessette-Kennedy is a fashion icon. For those unfamiliar, she was famously the wife of John F. Kennedy Jr., but there’s so much more to her story. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy started out as a salesperson and worked her way up to become a publicist and producer at Calvin Klein, one of the most prestigious fashion houses in the world. Jack Merrill, a close friend of both Bessette-Kennedy and JFK Jr., noted that she was “100 percent on top of things. She would wake up at 6:00 a.m. to do paperwork before heading to the office” (Harpers Bazaar). This showcases her established career long before the public knew her as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. Did I mention she’s a fashion legend?
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was one of a kind, and her life was tragically cut short. Her fashion and presence were inspirations for me, embodying the perfect balance of grace, class, and elegance. Her passing, alongside her husband, in a plane crash robbed the world of witnessing her full growth into womanhood. Yet, CBK remains timeless, and her influence on fashion still resonates today, driving designers and brands decades later.
As we embrace the fall season, I want to honor her legacy. This article pays homage to CBK and the profound impact she’s had on my style and the way I choose to carry myself. For anyone who loves fashion—or even those still finding their style—there’s so much to learn from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. From her minimalist approach to jewelry to her love for long coats, let’s dive into what makes CBK’s style unforgettable.
Minimal Jewelry
One of the defining features of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's style is her approach to jewelry—she didn’t wear much, despite owning a carefully curated collection. For instance, she was gifted a Van Cleef Ribbon Diamond necklace by her mother-in-law, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, yet was never seen wearing it in public. Her reason? She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. Ironically, this very decision made her stand out even more.
By keeping her jewelry minimal, CBK enhanced her natural beauty and let her wardrobe speak for itself. She didn’t need bold pieces to make an impression; instead, she relied on timeless, high-quality staples to create a classic, understated elegance.
Accessorizing with Impact
Though she shied away from heavy jewelry, Bessette-Kennedy was no stranger to accessories. She kept her outfits minimal, but she knew how to elevate them with just the right touch. If she was wearing all black, for example, she would add uniqueness by wearing a jacket or skirt with texture or black velvet gloves. Headbands, scarves, and sunglasses brought a touch of personality, turning simple outfits into fashion statements.
She also used accessories to contrast. As shown here, she’s wearing a simplistic base, consisting of just a white button-down blouse and a black skirt with added ruffles at the hem. She added the sparkly gold bag to bring that contrast, offering that small piece of uniqueness to her outfit. She applied the same principle to her makeup, often complementing an all-black or all-white ensemble with a bold red lip for a striking contrast.
Quality Over Quantity
In a world consumed by the horrors of fast fashion, humans are losing the art of acquiring good quality pieces of clothing that can be reworn for years on end. CBK’s commitment to quality, however, feels like a breath of fresh air. She wasn’t afraid to re-wear beloved pieces because her wardrobe was built on timeless staples. She knew what worked for her, and when you have a set style, there are certain items that become favorites, and then essentials. This is a lesson I’ve taken from her—invest in quality pieces that you can wear again and again.
Her black Birkin bag, for instance, was a staple that she paired with countless outfits. The same goes for her signature oval sunglasses by Selima Optique, which are still in production today. Like CBK had her go-to accessories, I have my YSL Micas—consistent, reliable pieces that define a personal style.
A Minimalist Palette
Color played a subtle yet powerful role in CBK’s wardrobe. She often stuck to neutral, structured pieces, with the occasional pop of print or color to keep things interesting. According to friends, Bessette-Kennedy favored darker tones because they made her feel stronger (New York Post). Even when she did wear prints, like her famous leopard-print trench coat, she made sure to balance it with simpler items.
Her ability to create varied looks with a few essential pieces and a minimalist color palette is the key to her timeless appeal. Following this lead, anyone can craft a wardrobe that feels elegant, effortless, and distinctly personal.
As we move through fall, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy remains an eternal source of inspiration. Her style, rooted in simplicity, quality, and understated elegance, continues to guide fashion lovers today.
The funny thing is that I, and many other fashion articles analyze Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy’s style, but in reality, it wasn’t the clothes. It was her. According to InStyle, Elizabeth Beller, author of new CBK biography titled, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn, recalled that in her life before the media, Bassette-Kennedy “had a real sense of freedom” and “loved to be out and about”. This plays into her carefree and mysterious aura, which adds to what makes her so captivating. Despite the pressures from the media to change her appearance, she did not conform to the criticism and stayed authentic to herself, which reflected her style. That’s why her style feels so authentic, and it’s why she’s still referenced in fashion, 25 years later.