Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has long been an insider style icon, but this year she has become a global phenomenon thanks to Ryan Murphy's Love Story. The series, a glossy dramatisation of her romance with JFK Jr, offers nine hours of closeups of her white tank tops, jeans, simple black dresses, oval sunglasses and tortoiseshell headbands. Viewers may find themselves inspired to dress like CBK by the end.
However, Carole Radziwill, a friend of Carolyn, cautioned against simply copying her style. On the Deuxmoi podcast, she explained that Carolyn dressed naturally and comfortably, pulling her hair back in a headband because she didn't want to wash it daily. The takeaway, Radziwill said, is to wear what feels authentic to you, not to mimic someone else.
Despite this, there are lessons to be learned from Carolyn's minimalist wardrobe. In the early episodes, when she works at Calvin Klein, her outfits are both office-appropriate and cool. A black polo neck, straight black trousers, black loafers and a plain dark bag exemplify her approach. The key is in the fit and the edit: trying on many pairs of trousers to find the perfect cut, and having the confidence to avoid unnecessary accessories.
CBK's style is the antithesis of Carrie Bradshaw's. There is no colour, no sugar hit, no dopamine dressing. She pairs a black midi skirt with a black silk cardigan and black sandals, or a white pencil skirt with an austere black jacket. This minimalist 90s look avoids power-dressing cliches like shoulderpads or pussy bows, making it suitable for both work and evening outings.
While we cannot buy charisma or cheekbones, we can learn from the logic of minimalism: keep the messaging simple, don't overthink it, and don't be afraid to repeat outfits. The only accessories needed? A pair of sunglasses and a flip phone.
