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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a style icon?

239 replies

narniabusiness · 01/10/2025 10:07

Recently I’ve seen a lot of references to Carolyn B-K as a style icon and I’m not sure that I fully understand the love. For those who are unfamiliar with her she worked for Calvin Klein, married a Kennedy and died tragically young.
Since the Kennedys seem to be the American equivalent of our Royal family, is it that the gives her a touch of glamour? Especially when combined with her tragic death, like Princess Diana?
Or is it that she really did look more stylish than her contemporaries? Does her frequent referencing in style guides mean that minimalism is having a moment?
Anyone else noticed these frequent references to her style and do you like it or think its unremarkable?

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a style icon?
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a style icon?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
17
friendlyflicka · 02/10/2025 13:01

Some of the photos on this thread are of Kate Moss.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 13:35

user464632168 · 02/10/2025 13:00

Not really sure if that's a dig at CBK or SAHMs, but I think the point is that there's a difference between making a statement and having a style, and hers was pretty iconic. It's not mine, but then, I also don't think making yourself look like a giant piece of upholstery in a poorly fitting slip cover is anything I aspire to either.

Not to mention, if it was 1995-2008 'the SAHM private school mums' were very likely taking their cues at least in part from her. I was working in a NY law firm for some of those years, by the way, as well as dropping my kids off at private school, and I certainly don't recall that most of us in the office were pushing the style envelope in wild ways.

I'm sure the SAHMs were taking their cues

It's not just a bit bland- it's really bland.

Not sure about the suggestion upthread that "it's not look at me"- isn't it "look at me in my very expensive, neutral clothes?" but then MN is obsessed by "classic style" "looking expensive" and "timeless neutrals"

I was working in a Scottish old money private client law firm in that period and wore very highly tailored skirts and jackets from Pauw in Amsterdsam and Lillith in Paris , but the sort of tailoring that came with instructions on how to button/ wrap etc [ both brands have gone more mainstream now] I definitely wasn't wearing "classic neutrals"

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 13:37

AzurePanda · 02/10/2025 03:24

I have always found her role as a style icon rather overdone. She was very beautiful but I never found her clothes especially interesting. Certainly nothing compared to Jacqueline Kennedy in terms of inspiration and impact.

Agreed. Jackie Kennedy always looked fabulous.

MotherWol · 02/10/2025 14:42

Part of the reason that she's singled out as a style icon at the moment is because of the elements of her style - outfit repeating, high quality materials and tailoring, consistent personal style - are things that have fallen out of favour due to fast fashion. She wasn't chasing micro-trends, she knew what her personal style was, and was consistent with the designers that she chose. That's so refreshing in the current climate. Her outfits were often neutral colours but with interesting textures and contrasts, and you can see that in the way some designers who are currently trending (looking at you Totême, The Row) approach their styling. Meghan Markle was cited upthread - look at her wedding dress and tell me that's not CBK-influenced!

Her style isn't going to resonate with everyone, and if you lean more towards maximalism it's not going to be your thing. But she's absolutely a key influence in defining modern minimalism and on current designers, and that's why you're reading about her now.

Also, @DorisTheFinkasaurus WOW! It has been an absolute pleasure reading about your experiences and thank you for sharing them!

luckylavender · 02/10/2025 15:29

narniabusiness · 01/10/2025 12:58

That’s fascinating @DorisTheFinkasaurusthank you for sharing your memories. At the time I was far more aware of Kate Moss, I presume because she appeared more in the British press. Interesting that Carolyn was the American equivalent to some extent.

Moss was not in the same ballpark

GloriaMonday · 02/10/2025 15:50

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 04:55

Based on those 2 photos? Completely ordinary and unremarkable. I wouldn't give a second glance to anyone dressed like that.

The clothes aren't just simple and plain - they're carefully constructed and she'll have had them tailored. Everything fits perfectly.

They look like what the SAHM mothers wore to drop off their children at my son's (private) school in the years 1995 to 2008. If that's the image you're aiming for, then go for it.
That comes across as sneering at SAHMs. Is the fact that the weren't just SAHMs but SAHMs of children at fee-paying schools relevant?

CB-K was probably why this look became popular. She died in 1999.

Sorry, it feels a bit nasty to say this but there's nothing remarkable in the photographs I've seen. I'm not a huge fan of Kate Moss but she had a definite look- this is just bland.
Your opinion is based on 2 snapshots. If you compared two photos of KM in similar situations, and you weren't familiar with who she was, then she might have looked bland.

You really do not come across well in this post.

user464632168 · 02/10/2025 16:16

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 13:35

I'm sure the SAHMs were taking their cues

It's not just a bit bland- it's really bland.

Not sure about the suggestion upthread that "it's not look at me"- isn't it "look at me in my very expensive, neutral clothes?" but then MN is obsessed by "classic style" "looking expensive" and "timeless neutrals"

I was working in a Scottish old money private client law firm in that period and wore very highly tailored skirts and jackets from Pauw in Amsterdsam and Lillith in Paris , but the sort of tailoring that came with instructions on how to button/ wrap etc [ both brands have gone more mainstream now] I definitely wasn't wearing "classic neutrals"

I think that you're missing the point, which is, at the time, when fashion was quite fussy and full on, she looked different, pared down, simple, defining the clothing rather than letting the clothing define her. She chose and combined pieces in a way that became a signature style. As I said earlier, it's not my style, but in her hands it was a confident and unapologetic look and she rarely varied from it.

And what is your thing with SAHMs? It's rude and weird and unnecessary. Did you know for certain that every single woman at the school run dressed like that was a SAHM? Not a single one was going to an office? All of them were putting on identikit white shirts and cashmere and camel hair for the school run?

wore very highly tailored skirts and jackets from Pauw in Amsterdsam and Lillith in Paris , but the sort of tailoring that came with instructions on how to button/ wrap etc [ both brands have gone more mainstream now] I definitely wasn't wearing "classic neutrals"

A lot of people jump on bandwagons and think they're edgy and fashion forward. That doesn't make it true. I doubt anyone would look at something from 'Pauw in Amsterdam' and say, oh, that's classic @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle, because it's not a look, it's an outfit. But you could look at a combination today and say, oh, that's a classic CBK look, which makes it iconic.

GloriaMonday · 02/10/2025 16:20

I was working in a Scottish old money private client law firm in that period and wore very highly tailored skirts and jackets from Pauw in Amsterdsam and Lillith in Paris , but the sort of tailoring that came with instructions on how to button/ wrap etc [ both brands have gone more mainstream now] I definitely wasn't wearing "classic neutrals"

Yet you are not a style icon. Amazing, isn't it.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 16:23

GloriaMonday · 02/10/2025 15:50

The clothes aren't just simple and plain - they're carefully constructed and she'll have had them tailored. Everything fits perfectly.

They look like what the SAHM mothers wore to drop off their children at my son's (private) school in the years 1995 to 2008. If that's the image you're aiming for, then go for it.
That comes across as sneering at SAHMs. Is the fact that the weren't just SAHMs but SAHMs of children at fee-paying schools relevant?

CB-K was probably why this look became popular. She died in 1999.

Sorry, it feels a bit nasty to say this but there's nothing remarkable in the photographs I've seen. I'm not a huge fan of Kate Moss but she had a definite look- this is just bland.
Your opinion is based on 2 snapshots. If you compared two photos of KM in similar situations, and you weren't familiar with who she was, then she might have looked bland.

You really do not come across well in this post.

I looked at dozens of photos. I really don't see anything of interest in her look. I'm not sure that "knowing who she was" makes the look less bland. Megan Markle seems to channel too- and she's bland too.

The comment isn't sneering. It's a fact that many of the mothers at school drop off dressed like that. It was a wealthy "yummy mummy" look for mothers who were wealthy.

BankfieldForever · 02/10/2025 16:29

I looked her up after all the recent mentions of her and I don’t quite get it either. I mean, I get who she was but she died in the nineties so I find it surprising that she’s coming up now as a style icon (but then so is Diana in her ‘black sheep jumper’ so..)

Having been in my 20’s in the nineties its not a style I can get on board with - isn’t it now called ‘quiet luxury’? I was there first time round!

In all seriousness, I know how this will come across so, not being flippant - the Kennedys didn’t have much luck with air travel did they? ☹️

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 16:31

GloriaMonday · 02/10/2025 16:20

I was working in a Scottish old money private client law firm in that period and wore very highly tailored skirts and jackets from Pauw in Amsterdsam and Lillith in Paris , but the sort of tailoring that came with instructions on how to button/ wrap etc [ both brands have gone more mainstream now] I definitely wasn't wearing "classic neutrals"

Yet you are not a style icon. Amazing, isn't it.

Actually in the office and my social circle yes. I've had several people at work say they look out for what I'm wearing and there's not a week goes by without someone, including random strangers, complimenting what I'm wearing.

Jackie Kennedy was amazing- truly iconic but Caroline- it's just dull.

GloriaMonday · 02/10/2025 16:35

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 16:31

Actually in the office and my social circle yes. I've had several people at work say they look out for what I'm wearing and there's not a week goes by without someone, including random strangers, complimenting what I'm wearing.

Jackie Kennedy was amazing- truly iconic but Caroline- it's just dull.

Get over yourself.

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 16:37

And what is your thing with SAHMs? It's rude and weird and unnecessary. Did you know for certain that every single woman at the school run dressed like that was a SAHM? Not a single one was going to an office?

In that period that type of clothes were not office wear. Goodness, you're very touchy aren't you? Noting that women going to work and women not going to work might be dressed differently circa 1990 to 2008 isn't commenting on the merits of being either.

user464632168 · 02/10/2025 16:37

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 16:31

Actually in the office and my social circle yes. I've had several people at work say they look out for what I'm wearing and there's not a week goes by without someone, including random strangers, complimenting what I'm wearing.

Jackie Kennedy was amazing- truly iconic but Caroline- it's just dull.

But that doesn't make you a style icon. It just makes you someone wearing something noticeable.

I mean, I've seen a lot of the stuff you post in S&B and I'd say if you went from Pauw (which is a mishmash of brands, but overall strikes me as watered down The Row, which is watered down CBK, or classic Calvin Klein) to Cabbages & Roses, you've changed your styles a lot, so don't have a distinctive 'look'.

The comment isn't sneering. It's a fact that many of the mothers at school drop off dressed like that. It was a wealthy "yummy mummy" look for mothers who were wealthy.

If you don't understand why this is sneering, I'm not sure what more to say.

user464632168 · 02/10/2025 16:43

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 02/10/2025 16:37

And what is your thing with SAHMs? It's rude and weird and unnecessary. Did you know for certain that every single woman at the school run dressed like that was a SAHM? Not a single one was going to an office?

In that period that type of clothes were not office wear. Goodness, you're very touchy aren't you? Noting that women going to work and women not going to work might be dressed differently circa 1990 to 2008 isn't commenting on the merits of being either.

No, I'm not touchy, you're rude.

In that period that type of clothes were not office wear.

Of course it was.

Image 1: swap jeans for trousers
Image 2: slightly more buttoned up shirt and shorter skirt
Image 3: spot on

Maybe we just weren't as fashion forward in NY as in Scotland.

Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a style icon?
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a style icon?
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy a style icon?
narniabusiness · 02/10/2025 16:43

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we were able to have a discussion that kept to the point about why Carolyn is regarded by some (not all) as a style icon without needing to question other posters own personal taste?

OP posts:
clipboardz · 02/10/2025 16:45

Actually in the office and my social circle yes. I've had several people at work say they look out for what I'm wearing and there's not a week goes by without someone, including random strangers, complimenting what I'm wearing.

😆😆

narniabusiness · 02/10/2025 16:47

luckylavender · 02/10/2025 15:29

Moss was not in the same ballpark

The comparison to Kate Moss came about because they were contemporaries and Kate Moss is widely regarded as a style icon ( again by many people but not everyone).
Her taste sold a lot of clothing and not just the Top Shop range

OP posts:
clipboardz · 02/10/2025 16:48

I worked in the fashion industry in London from the late 90s onwards (modelling, Bond street, magazine and buying) CBK was defo known.

clipboardz · 02/10/2025 16:50

I worked at Topshop HO for years & Kate Moss's influence and eventual range was huge.

canarygarden · 02/10/2025 16:58

Sunrisewatcher · 02/10/2025 00:55

I'm half way through listening to the audio version of 'Ask Not' by Maureen Callaghan (The Kennedy's and the women they destroyed). Fascinating read and CBK is mentioned a lot... Thoroughly recommend 👌

I’ve just finished it. A truly eye opening book, I had no idea as to the extent of the cheating, gaslighting and abuse that went on (and still is I assume…).

luckylavender · 02/10/2025 16:59

@narniabusiness- I get that but the gap in class is huge

MarylandMD · 02/10/2025 16:59

It’s not in question whether or not she was a style icon at the time, she certainly was. Of course, not everyone would agree that she should have been, but I would say it’s pretty inarguable that she was. Personally I do get it, she had a presence and a way of wearing the clothes. If I had worn the same thing it wouldn’t have looked the same, I think that’s a big part of it, the charisma and mystique that being a Kennedy gave her.

clipboardz · 02/10/2025 17:01

If I had worn the same thing it wouldn’t have looked the same,

Exactly and which is true for most style
icons, they wear is differently.

MarylandMD · 02/10/2025 17:02

clipboardz · 02/10/2025 17:01

If I had worn the same thing it wouldn’t have looked the same,

Exactly and which is true for most style
icons, they wear is differently.

Yes, the ‘je ne sais quoi.’ It’s fun trying though 😄