Fashion
Her simple, casual-meets-chic style is still sought after today
Tyler Mallory / Contributor / Getty
The late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was known for many things: her work as a publicist for the fashion empire and American designer Calvin Klein, her relationship and marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr. and her impeccable, casual-meets-chic style. She was associated with the latter for the entire time she was in the spotlight, serving as a major style inspiration for people everywhere throughout the ‘90s. She was one of the ultimate “cool girls,” or “it” girls, of the decade, similar to the label we associate with style icons of today like Hailey Bieber and the Hadid sisters.
Recently, some of Bessette-Kennedy’s most iconic pieces went up for auction as part of Sotheby’s fashion icons sale. The three pieces included are her infamous leopard double-breasted coat circa 1969, Prada single-breasted double-faced wool coat circa 1997 and Yohji Yamamoto black wool double-breasted jacket circa 1997. The current bids range from $15,000 to $55,000, which in itself speaks for how large of an impact Bessette-Kennedy had on American fashion.
To reflect on this impact, we put together some of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s most iconic looks and fashion moments of the ‘90s.
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The classic ’90s look
The classic ‘90s style, like we see Bessette-Kennedy sporting here, with denim and a long, black trench is just as trendy today as it was then. If you didn’t know any better, you may think this photo was taken recently, as the street style of today is very similar to this look. This outfit of Carolyn’s perfectly embodies what her aesthetic was: Simple, elevated and chic. The headband and narrow sunglasses even further portray the fashion of the ‘90s.
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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fashion: Elevated white button-down
Another perfectly simple yet chic moment of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. She dons a classic white button-down with a black, fit-and-flare maxi skirt while attending the Annual Fundraising Gala at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in 1999.
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Minimalist yet chic
This minimalist look of Bessette-Kennedy’s entailing blue jeans and a black mock-neck tank is yet another example of how she could make the simplest outfit look elevated and chic, or even luxurious.
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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fashion: Simple silhouettes
For formal occasions, Bessette-Kennedy still stuck to classic, simple silhouettes as we see here. The black, scoop-neck, straight-style dress was a major style of the ‘90s. Her pearl necklace added to this look channeled her elegant taste.
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Patterned trench coats
While she often stuck to pieces in black and neutral shades, she did occasionally play with patterns and colors. In this photo, she’s sporting a red and black plaid belted trench over jeans.
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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fashion: Summery sundresses
Another example of her dabble in printed clothing, Bessette-Kennedy wore this floral, summery sundress in 1996 with a pair of classic black slingbacks.
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Hint of a peplum
Bessette-Kennedy wore this stunning black two-piece set at the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation dinner and Profiles in Courage awards in 1999. The peplum-style top is a trend we’ve seen pass through the trend cycle over the past few decades.
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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fashion: All-black outfits
All-black ensembles were a pattern of Bessette-Kennedy. Here, she wears a black T-length dress under a long black trench with black slingback heels.
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Fashion-forward gowns
At the Fire & Ice Ball in 1998, Bessette-Kennedy wore a gorgeous, off-white, boat neck style dress with a chic zipper down the front.
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Chic black gloves
Another all-black look, Bessette-Kennedy wore a black T-length dress with black gloves to an event honoring her mother-in-law Jacqueline Kennedy.
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