Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: The Queen of 90s' Minimalism

By Alexus Mosley

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is one of the first women that comes to mind whenever one mentions iconic style figures of the 90s. Remembered most for her refined and effortless style, JFK Jr.’s wife and fashion publicist for Calvin Klein was praised for her ability to make her rather polished and meticulous look seem effortless in a way that was so revolutionary, we are still taking notes nearly three decades after her death.

Oftentimes described as elegant in simplicity, she was “quiet luxury” personified before it was a buzz phrase on Tik-Tok. Her dress code was sporty and rich. As a career woman in New York City, she gravitated towards pieces that were “wearable,” opting for shoes suitable for walking and while favoring Hermès purses that doubled as accessible work bags. Carolyn steered clear of trends and her timeless capsule wardrobe wasn’t extensive in the least bit. In fact, she only had 30-40 pieces of clothing, all of which were basics which she rotated repeatedly. Carolyn once gave a word of fashion advice to a colleague at Calvin Klein, “If you can’t afford expensive fabrics or designs then one should stick to black.” In 1992, the favorite subject of many tabloids told Glamour Magazine, “I Iike very classic colors, black, navy, gray, and white. If I want to add some impact, I’ll do it with texture.”

Just as minimalistic in her makeup and in accessories as she was with her clothing, Carolyn lived by the saying “less is more.” Rarely wearing jewelry and using little to no makeup, her almost professional and uniform-like look was free of distractions, naturally providing an air of mystery. Though it was nearly impossible to narrow it down, here are our favorite Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fashion moments.