Style

How To Achieve Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Style On A Budget

February 25, 2024Heather

Let’s talk about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Style on a budget…

Is there anyone who embodied classic 90s style better than Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy? She was the personification of 90s minimalistic chic. Her iconic style is still, decades later an inspiration board, and Pinterest board, staple…and I have to be honest, pretty easy for us normies to achieve.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy may have been publicist at Calvin Klein, but you don’t need a CK employee discount to recreate her signature style. With a few affordable key pieces, you too can be a neutral 90s queen…

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy black shirt — Image via InStyle

All The Black Tops

CBK never saw a black top she didn’t like. Tshirts, shells, boatnecks, turtlenecks, sweaters, turtleneck sweaters; more of than not she was in a black top.

Loafers

Loafers were a staple of Carolyn’s wardrobe, and who doesn’t love some practical footwear? And since Carolyn often wore brown and black together, whatever loafers you go with can legit be worn with EVERYTHING.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy jeans — Image via British Vogue

Good Ol’ Blue Jeans

If you’re going for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy style you NEED a pair of classic blue jeans, no ifs ands or buts.

Headband

I think if you asked most people to name one thing CBK wore, they would probably say “headband”. She showed us that headbands don’t have to be sweet and childish, the right headband can be chic and sophisticated.

Khakis

If there was ever an argument to include khakis in your wardrobe, its this right here. Carolyn frequently wore straight leg khakis and beige never looked so good.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy fashion — Image via Town & Country

White Button Down

CBK famously paired a white button down with a formal black skirt and forever changed how we do formalwear, but she also wore her white button down with khakis…get you a shirt who can do both.