Carolyn Bassette Kennedy: A Style Guide
Publicist for Calvin Klein and Fashion Icon, Carolyn Bassette Kennedy was not only known as the wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. but also as a fashion “It-girl” of her time. Her style, mainly made popular through the book “CBK: Carolyn Bassette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion” by Sunita Kumar Nair has made her into somewhat of a “ghost influencer” online and the classy, chic and elegant style she supported is now more than ever seeing its come back. But what exactly was it about her that made her an “it-girl” and what was it about her choice of clothing?
Much like Princess Diana, the premature death of Carolyn Bassette Kennedy immortalised her in the minds of the public. Because of her guarded privacy, especially after her marriage, her fashion and style captured by the paparazzi showed the public who she was. The effect of Bassette-Kennedy not interacting with her fans through interviews or public appearances only made them want more. No wonder then, the world became so captivated by what she wore. What she wore, but more importantly how she wore her clothing told the world who she was and ultimately, made her into the fashion icon she is today.
“Carolyn Bassette Kennedy defined the understated cool of the ‘90s. She had an effortless and laidback approach that looks as stylish and chic today as it did back then”
Carolyn Bassette Kennedy was known for choosing staple, timeless pieces for her wardrobe, instead of adopting the latest fashion trends and fads. She knew how to dress in a way that worked for not only her lifestyle but also chose silhouettes that complemented her body type and colours with tones that worked for her. Most importantly, she dressed for herself and in a way that made her happy. Focusing on quality over quantity and versatility was the secret to her powerful wardrobe.
So how can you curate a CBK Stye wardrobe? And how do you achieve perfect minimalism?
The Essentials
To achieve a CBK-style wardrobe, it is most important to figure out what makes the backbone of her style. What are the essential non-negotiables of her wardrobe? What are the basics that you can translate into your own wardrobe?
The White Shirt
The classic white shirt has become a staple item in many wardrobes over the past few years. It’s comfortable, versatile and suits everyone, regardless of what style you identify with. The white shirt is the item of the CBK Wardrobe - classy and elegant, it is perfect for anything from day or night looks to work or holiday outfits. However, as easy as it seems, the key to finding a white shirt that will do the CBK magic is finding one with really good quality. The best thing to do here is to check the material information. My favourites are definitely cotton or linen shirts as they are breathable and natural fabrics.
The Big Bag
Whether it’s a Hermès Birkin or just a big canvas tote, having a bag that fits all of your needs and that you can wear anywhere is an absolute must. My recommendation is to go for a neutral style that will go with any outfit, just like Carolyn did, with her big, black Hermès Birkin or this canvas Tote here.
Good Blue Denim
A nice pair of solid blue jeans will not only go a long way in terms of outfits but will also last you a lifetime, so if you’re looking to invest in a piece of clothing, denim is always a good option. Carolyn proves that good denim never grows old and is yet another staple for anyone.
Floral Dress
For hot summer days, flowy clothing is a must-have. Adding a classic flowy floral dress to your wardrobe not only gives it more pattern and diversity but also is an item to dress up or dress down. Style with vintage kitten heels for a casual look like Carolyn supports and add a cardigan or light knit to keep warm in the spring. Or try styling with sneakers or loafers for a more comfortable option!
Comfy Clothes
Everyone has days where they want to feel comfortable. Such days require casual and most importantly comfy fits. Having something you can throw on like this jumper, white trousers and Nike sneakers is super important, whether it’s for running errands or just running. Not every day has to be a dress-up day and that’s ok. But looking cute and put together is still a plus :)
LBD
The Little Black Dress, or LBD, comes in so many different variations and styles these days, that it’s impossible not to find something you’ll like. Perfect for any occasion, the Little Black Dress will always come in handy. Pair with a pair of heels, opera gloves and clutch like Carolyn in this photograph and you have an outfit for any formal event.
Tortoiseshell, well … everything
Glasses, headbands, cases, you name it. Tortoiseshell headbands were Bessette-Kennedy's favourite hair accessory, and the pattern is really easy to incorporate into other things, even as a nail design, which I recently saw on TikTok. In my opinion, tortoiseshell tends to give a sleek and classy, slightly academic vibe (if you know what I mean).
Before rounding off here, I want to mention that Carolyn Bassette-Kennedy’s style is a super interesting topic and if I were to name all the basics in my opinion, this would be a rather long post. However, I recommend reading Sunita Kumar Nair’s book “CBK: Carolyn Bassette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion” as it not only shows all of the paparazzi pictures of Bassette-Kennedy in her outfits, but also makes for a lovely coffee table book :)
Want To Buy The Book? Click On This Image Here.
