Though style is constantly evolving and fashion trends come and go, many figures remain influencing fashion, no matter the decade with their timeless style. One of these figures who i’ve always been inspired by is Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who i constantly refer to as ‘the chic 90s minimalistic it girl’ due to her chic and classic closet full of high end neutrals.
Although she is referred to as being ‘the chic 90s minimalistic it girl’ anyone could wear Carolyn’s outfits today and still look chic despite it being almost three decades later. One lesson that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy reconfirmed to the fashion world on is that classy, confident taste never goes out of style.
CBK’s elegant glamour
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy loved keeping everything minimal even when it came to makeup. With just a slick of mascara and tousled blonde hair, CBK established the true meaning of minimalism. The most striking part about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was her statement blonde hair – her hair was the part of her appearance that stood out the most.
CBK’s closet essentials
One thing about CBK’s style that i truly admire is despite wearing designer clothes, her choices were always classy and unpretentious, she truly taught us that you don’t need to wear flashy designer items to look stylish.
Another lesson which CBK taught us is that neutral colours, strategic accessories, clean lines and classic silhouettes never go out of style. Her everyday looks usually consisted of her signature pair of Selima Optique Aldo glasses, button downs, pencil skirts, slip dresses, headbands and knee high boots.
The iconic blonde kept things very minimal even with jewellery, Carolyn rarely ever wore jewellery. Maybe her wedding ring and watch. Even when she attended evening events she wore minimal jewellery.
Ten iconic CBK looks
10 – Sometimes all a girl needs is a sophisticated leopard print coat, and a timeless black polo neck, of course!
9 – who doesn’t love a black and brown style moment? so effortlessly chic and classy – perfect for walking in NYC!
8 – Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy perfectly demonstrates how a simple a white shirt can be an elegant evening-wear essential.
7 – CBK’s black strapless, shoe revealing dress she wore to a gala in 1998 perfectly embodies the word ‘elegant’ as she styles it with a classy red lip and velvet gloves.
6 – Sunglasses are a perfect way to elevate a look, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy further demonstrates this with her signature pair of Selima Optique Aldo glasses.
5 – Just a girl and her silk-head scarf against the world! Analogous to her mother-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy, who loved to elevate her looks by covering her hair with loosely-tied silk scarves, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy further demonstrates how a colourful silk-head scarf can be paired to make an effortlessly stylish look.
4 – With just a knee length floral print dress and a black patent prada bag, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy creates the ultimate summer outfit inspiration for girls to admire worldwide.
3 – A black slip dress is a timeless wardrobe essential which i’ve always considered to be a great investment piece, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy shows the true definition of classy as she pairs it with a barely-there makeup look, a tailored coat and black pumps.
2 – Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy creates the perfect autumn outfit with just a pair of bootcut jeans and a red coat.
1 – who could forget about the time Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore a silk wedding gown designed by Narciso Rodriguez and beaded Manolo Blahnik sandals, a look that ultimately reflected her love for minimalistic fashion and later solidified CBK’s title as one of the world’s most stylish women.
Even on her wedding day, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy chose to stick with minimal jewellery, making her bridal look so effortlessly beautiful. With barely-there makeup and a timeless silk wedding gown, Carolyn created the ultimate ‘cool girl’ bridal look which later went on to inspire generations of brides, including Meghan Markle.
Despite CBK’s wedding gown becoming iconic, the sheer white gloves she wore establishes her position of a true style pioneer. CBK became a byword for minimalistic fashion and solidified what it requires to be a timeless-bride: simple, yet effective pieces which will never go out of style.
Forever young
Much like her style, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is an icon who’s sartorial legacy lives on. In my mind, she is forever young, wandering the streets of NYC in a simple white tee and a pair of 517 Levis. That ‘effortless’ look people are always trying to achieve – Carolyn had it.
With a clean face and loose hair, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy solidified her title as an icon. You’d be hard pressed to find a woman who hasn’t looked to CBK on Pinterest for inspiration at least one time in their life.
Almost three decades after her tragic death, CBK is still cherished and remembered for her status as an icon of ‘90s minimalism. But not only does her style transcend trend and time, CBK’s manner in which she presented herself is forever remembered.
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