A 12 Piece Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Style Fall Capsule Wardrobe

This is something that I hope that I succeeded doing with this Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Style Fall Capsule Wardrobe.

Its timelessness is legendary and everything she wore looks just as fresh and modern now as it did then, so much so that she has been on designer mood boards for the past two decades for this exact reason.

She was actually known to have quite small wardrobe which would be unheard of from someone of her stylistic calibre today.

A former assistant said it was a regular sized New York City style apartment closet with a top shelf for folded sweaters and handbags, an area for hanging items, and then shoes and boots at the bottom.

In this day and age that size closet wouldn’t even be able to house a shoe collection of any influencer or celebrity.

No walk-ins for her.

She also refused to be gifted items, if she didn’t pay for it, it was returned.

I think this helped to really keep her wardrobe focused and streamlined which is something that we all need to work on and which is why I think that she would have really embraced the idea of a capsule wardrobe.

We don’t have a million photos to document all her sartorial choices but the ones that we do have show her rewearing her pieces so much that they have become well known staples of hers.

She even gave away her vintage animal print coat because she said that she had been photographed in it so many times that they were going to start making fun of her.

Can you imagine inheriting that coat?

This is something that I very much admired about her style.

It is actually quite refreshing when I reflect on it.

But she was a Calvin Klein publicist, so I am not surprised that this was her mindset.

What Was Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Style?

Today, her style would be considered 90s minimalism, and so perfectly 90s minimalism but also ahead of its time.

It was effortlessly effortless, and Ralph Lauren was said to have instructed his designers to use her as their muse.

Some of her go-to wardrobe staples in Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe were her Levi’s jeans, and t-shirts from the Gap.

How relatable is that?

She was a devotee of Yohji Yamamoto, bur some of her other favourite designers were Prada, Miu Miu and Ann Demeulemeester.

I feel this intensely.

She had a black patent leather Prada bag that was her everyday bag for a year. She wasn’t like modern influencers who have a mortgage worth of bags to coordinate every outfit.

This is where her impact came and why we still talk about her style. It made sense and had so much longevity.

Everything was bought with intention and purpose.

There were no impulse buying the newest it bag that would be forgotten and outdated in a season.

That Prada bag is still sold to this day in a modern version along with a Comme des Garcons leather pouch she owned that you can also still buy today.

Every one of her iconic looks I showcase below you will remember.

Then I took those same pieces and put them together in other combinations so that you can get the full feel of how well her wardrobe worked from what little we actually saw of it.

Her fashion choices were often characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and a timeless elegance.

Some key elements of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style are:

Minimalism: Carolyn’s style was characterized by its simplicity and minimalistic approach favouring clean lines, neutral colours, and simple silhouettes.

Within her neutrals, she also broke the, “don’t wear brown and black together” rule that was prevalent in the 90s that we have since thrown out the window.

Monochromatic Looks: Carolyn was fond of monochromatic outfits, particularly in shades of black, white, or beige.

She created elegant outfits by pairing pieces in the same colour family which exuded a sense of understated sophistication.

Tailored Pieces: She was a fan of well-fitted clothing. She frequently wore tailored blazers, sleek pencil skirts, and perfectly fitted trousers.

Classic Pieces: Carolyn had a penchant for classic wardrobe staples. She often wore crisp white shirts, cashmere sweaters, and well-cut blouses. Her timeless fashion choices have remained relevant to this day.

Minimal Accessories: She kept her accessories minimal and understated, often opting for jewellery and accessories like a black leather belt, pearl earrings, or a delicate gold necklace and avoiding flashy or oversized pieces.

Don’t forget that tortoiseshell headband, and scarves she used to wear.

Simple yet effective.

I thought that headband was going to be easy to find. We are all familiar with it, and I figured it was such a classic that I would have no issues finding one.

Was I wrong.

Aside from the wide band version being almost nonexistent, the ones I did find are labelled as Carolyn Bessette headbands and marked up to $50-$100 a piece. It’s ludicrous.

I should try to find my 90s headband that I am certain is here somewhere and sell it.

Hair and Makeup: Carolyn’s beauty routine was also minimalistic. She typically wore her hair in a simple, straight style and favoured a natural makeup look with neutral tones.

She often only wore a bold red lip as a statement when going out.

High-Quality Fabrics: She invested in high-quality fabrics and luxurious materials, which added to the overall sophistication of her outfits.

But she said, “If you’re not going to spend tons of money, you should stick to grey, navy, black, nudes and white. It usually works.” which is a sentiment that I absolutely agree with.

Sunglasses: Carolyn was frequently seen wearing oval sunglasses, which became one of her signature style elements.

Eveningwear: She chose elegant gowns with clean lines and minimal embellishments for formal occasions.

She often wore slip dresses and column gowns that showcased her graceful silhouette, along with her infamous white button up paired with a fitted maxi skirt.

Outerwear: Carolyn had a collection of stylish outerwear, including tailored coats and jackets that she layered over her outfits during the colder months.

She often used a coat as the focal point of the outfit making her style perfect for a fall capsule wardrobe.

The incredible thing about her wardrobe and style is that they were such sleek, understated separates that never go out of style, so the entire thing can easily be sourced secondhand.

This level of timelessness is very easy to replicate while secondhand shopping.

I also guarantee that most of us could make a Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy inspired outfit from items that we already own, so shop your closet first to see what you already have.

Go have a dig in your closet and see what you can come up with.

I bet that it is a lot.

But perhaps one of the most important elements of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style was her confidence. She wore her outfits with poise and grace, which added to their overall impact.

Her fashion choices continue to inspire many, and her style remains a classic example of timeless elegance. If you’re looking to emulate her style, focus on simplicity, high-quality pieces, and confidence in your fashion choices.

Because, remember that the key to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style was simplicity and timelessness. Mix and match these elements to create outfits that reflect her iconic fashion sense while also adding your personal touch.

Get Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s Look

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