Carolyn Bessette Kennedy has long been an insider style icon, but this year she has become a global phenomenon. Ryan Murphy's Love Story, a glossy dramatization of her romance with JFK Jr., showcased her iconic white tank tops, jeans, simple black dresses, oval sunglasses, and tortoiseshell headbands. If you didn't know you wanted to dress like CBK before watching, you certainly did by the end.
The Authenticity of CBK's Style
Carole Radziwill, a friend of Carolyn, noted that copying CBK's style is the least CBK thing to do. She told the Deuxmoi podcast that Carolyn "pulled her hair back in a headband because she didn't want to wash it every day. She did what felt natural to her and dressed in things that made her feel comfortable and most like herself. Mostly jeans, button-downs, and T-shirts. The takeaway is not to mimic her style, but to do and wear what feels most authentic to you."
What made Carolyn compelling was her complete confidence in her own taste. She didn't overthink or dither over accessories. Her look wasn't a construct; it was her natural vibe. And you can't clone someone's vibes by wearing the right sweater.
Key Wardrobe Lessons
Still, we can borrow some outfit ideas. The early episodes of Love Story show Carolyn working at Calvin Klein, with a wardrobe perfect for the office and after-work parties. Clothes that are both office-appropriate and cool are essential. Unlike other TV characters who are either glamorous or frumpy, Carolyn's style is minimalist and chic.
In the first episode, Carolyn wears a black polo neck, straight black trousers, black loafers, and a plain dark bag on the subway. The simplicity makes it easy to copy but hard to replicate the chicness. The secret lies in fit and edit: trying on many pairs of trousers to find the perfect cut and having the confidence to hold back on accessories. Flat shoes and no jewelry are power moves.
CBK is the opposite of Carrie Bradshaw. Her style has little visual noise: no color, 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 version of office dressing avoids power-dressing cliches like shoulder pads and pussy bows, making it cool enough for evening wear.
We can't buy charisma or je ne sais quoi, and we can't borrow her cheekbones. But we can learn from minimalism: keep messaging simple, don't overthink, and don't be afraid to repeat. The only accessories needed are a pair of sunnies and a flip phone.
Model: Fu at Milk Management. Hair and makeup: Delilah Blakeney using Moroccanoil and MAC. Styling assistant: Charlotte Gornall. Sunglasses, £155, Ray Ban. T-shirt, £14.90, Uniqlo. Belt, £10, ASOS. Skirt, £30, Marks and Spencer. Shoes, £65, Charles + Keith. Chair, £199, John Lewis.
