Not just America’s Sweetheart, or John F. Kennedy Jr’s wife, but Carolyn Bessette, a woman who defined a fashion aesthetic that would still linger decades later. Since the release of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, audiences have not only been exposed to their love story and lives, but fashion gurus are taking a second look at how Bessette influenced fashion and showed the world what it meant to be a “cool girl.”
Not only did Carolyn Bessette work in the fashion industry as a publicist for Calvin Klein, but she is also one of the most influential fashion icons of her decade. Looking at her outfits themselves, we see the strength in basics and minimalism. During this time, there was an outburst of outfits consisting of bright colors and showing off the latest, most expensive designer labels. We may think of maximalism as the key to outfits that will last through time, but there is power in simplicity. Bessette was known for the neutral color palette she showcased almost every time she stepped out the door. White, cream, navy, black, and browns were present in each piece she wore. By keeping a wardrobe stocked of clothing items in neutral, basic colors, it is easier to mix and match pieces to create endless outfits. For Bessette, this prioritized practical fashion, while also being able to maintain a lower-profile and keep a sense of privacy despite her high amount of media coverage.
Further adding to her sense of minimalism, she never had logos present on anything she wore. Her staple pieces were often from high-end fashion designers and brands, such as Prada, Calvin Klein, and Yohji Yamamoto. She was known to never flash the names and price tags of her pieces by removing the tags, creating a sense of being “anti-trend.” Individuals favored and admired the high-end designers, and while Bessette did as well, she kept this quieter and focused on the actual quality of the clothing. Bessette also did not only wear the well-known brands. She tied designer pieces with classic items, like basic denim or plain t-shirts. Effortless and simple, while remaining timeless, is how we remember the fashion icon best.
These traits of her style, combined with her signature accessories and hairstyles, led the world to name her aesthetic “quiet luxury.” Even decades later, fashion gurus are obsessed with this style and it continues to influence not only the fashion industry but our social media as well. Pinterest boards are consumed of outfits attempting to replicate Bessette’s style, and our Instagram feeds show photos of the aesthetic out and about. The combination of luxury pieces and minimalist basics, tied together with her effortless demeanor, created the timeless look that is still adored in modern times.
Being a “cool girl” is more than just the high-end pieces we style and the color palette we choose. Without Carolyn Bessette’s mindset and her desire to maintain a strong sense of her own self, we would not have the aesthetic we continue to admire. She may have been the wife of a former president’s son, but she remained who she was throughout her lifetime, through fashion and her personality. Fashion is not only timeless from the clothes, but from the iconic individual who sported them.
