Less is More: Carolyn Bessette
It’s no secret the world is absolutely crushing over the 90s heart throbs in JFK Jnr & Carolyn Jeanne Bessette Kennedy. “A Love Story - John F. Kennedy Jnr. & Carolyn Bessette” by Ryan Murphy is all over our screens and for good reason too. There’s something nostalgic about the streets of New York and the minimalistic mindset of JFK & Carolyn, in both their movements and their wardrobe.
In an era that pulled heavily from the 70s and 80s, with their bohemian and punk styles.. we’re talking leather jackets, vintage tees, baggy denim, day-worn hair, and, as Y2K crept closer, a touch of plaid. And then came what we now recognise as the blueprint of chic dressing, and no I’m not talking about the maximalism I just described.
Enter Carolyn Jeanne Bessette Kennedy who moved decisively against the grain. At a time where you were either all in on the grunge, or experimenting with excess, she embraced a new uniform of minimalism.
Her aesthetic emerged alongside the rise of Helmut Lang, Calvin Klein (obvious), Prada and more. A wardrobe that never expires. A colour palette of black/s, white/s, grey/s, and occasionally a print will surface, but not always. Considered pieces that focus on quality, are proportionate to the body and never disposable. Timelessness that was worn without effort.
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Sharing insights from her time at Calvin Klein in the late 1990s, former employee Kara Mendelsohn revealed via TikTok a series of strict aesthetic guidelines staff were expected to follow:
No nail varnish of any colour, nude only
Minimalist make-up, with no bright eye shadows or lip colours, everything neutral
Hair pulled back in a pony tail
White florals only, definitely no red roses across desks
Jewellery kept to an absolute minimum
These understated rules are widely believed to have shaped Carolyne Bessette Kennedy’s personal aesthetic beyond the workplace.
She was rarely seen wearing heavy make-up and her nails were constantly manicured, effortlessly clean.
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A natural face with fine jewellery, no loud brands protruding, sophisticated denim and a quality white tee. Her denim was usually straight but she did occasionally opt for a boot-cut which framed her silhouette perfectly. Staples that everybody needs in their wardrobe including her sleek black coat and oval framed shades.
See below some ideas to re-create the look with both affordable and high-end options:
To elevate her street-wear, her tailored white shirts also spoke to her elegance. We see in one of the episodes of the show, Carolyn (Sarah Pidgeon) assists a female client in the VIP fitting room of Calvin Klein with a tailored blazer from the Menswear collection. The woman looks powerful and at the same time maintains a level of grace. Similarly, Carolyn in her days, despite having a sharp open collar and folded cuffs still enforces her femininity.
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An understated off-the shoulder number, paired with an ankle length silk skirt and an absence of a necklace or bold jewellery speaks to her ode to evening wear.
Whether in streetwear or formalwear, Carolyne Bessette Kennedy quietly secured a permanent place on Pinterest boards everywhere.
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For formalwear inspiration, look to the precision that defined Carolyn. Specifically liquid silk slip dresses that skim rather than cling, clean heels and bare skin.
No excess, no noise just pure intention.
And perhaps that’s why her style continues to resonate with us. As a reminder that true chic was never about more, it was always about enough.
