{"id":1797444,"date":"2026-02-25T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1797444"},"modified":"2026-02-25T20:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T17:00:00","slug":"carolyn-bessette-kennedys-iconic-90s-style-inspired-me-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe-with-timeless-staples-from-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1797444","title":{"rendered":"Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy\u2019s Iconic \u201890s Style Inspired Me to Build a Capsule Wardrobe With Timeless Staples From $25"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy\u2019s Iconic \u201890s Style Inspired Me to Build a Capsule Wardrobe With Timeless Staples From $25<\/h1>\n

Emulate CBK with cashmere sweaters and timeless denim.<\/p>\n

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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Madison Barber<\/p>\n
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\"Maddie\"Maddie<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nMadison Barber\n<\/div>\n
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    \nMadison Barber is a writer for Byrdie. She is a fashion, beauty, and shopping expert with four years of experience writing commerce content. Her previous work can be found in BRIDES and Shape.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Published on February 25, 2026 03:00PM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Leave a Comment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    John F. Kennedy jr. & Carolyn Bessette at the \"Bright Night Whitney\" Annual Fundraising Gala in New York City, NY, Whitney Museum, 9th March 1999.John F. Kennedy jr. & Carolyn Bessette at the \"Bright Night Whitney\" Annual Fundraising Gala in New York City, NY, Whitney Museum, 9th March 1999.<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    Getty Images<\/p>\n

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    No matter how involved you are in modern-day fashion conversations, you\u2019ve likely heard one style icon\u2019s name brought up several times over the last few weeks: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy<\/u>. Famous to the masses because of her marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr. in the 1990s, she was (and still is) worshipped by fashion lovers for her immaculate sense of style. A publicist at Calvin Klein when \u201890s minimalism<\/u> was at its peak, Bessette-Kennedy and her covetable wardrobe inspired feverish obsession with every new paparazzi shot released.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Now, with Hulu\u2019s buzziest new show, Love Story<\/em>, showcasing the It girl\u2019s relationship evolution with JFK Jr. before their tragic passing in 1999, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy<\/u>, or \u201cCBK,\u201d as she\u2019s known in the zeitgeist, is on everyone\u2019s minds more than ever, especially for many Gen Z fashion<\/u> lovers who were too young to witness her style IRL.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re just as infatuated with CBK\u2019s effortlessly chic style as I am and are suddenly wanting to shop with her minimalist approach in mind, look no further than Gap and J.Crew for capsule wardrobe essentials. From CBK-coded hair accessories<\/u> to simple investment pieces<\/u> that will actually last in your closet, here\u2019s a curated collection of minimalist styles from Gap<\/u> and J.Crew<\/u> on par with Bessette-Kennedy\u2019s taste.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    J.Crew Tortoise Headband <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"Tortoise\"Tortoise<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    J. Crew<\/p>\n

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    $30<\/span><\/div>\n

    $25 at Jcrew.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    CBK was often seen with a tortoise hair accessory, famously from C.O. Bigelow apothecary in NYC. This similar style headband from J.Crew is equally chic and functional, elevating any simple outfit or improving any bad hair day.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Gap High Rise \u201990s Slim Straight Jeans <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"High\"High<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    Gap<\/p>\n

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    $90<\/span><\/div>\n

    $44 at Gap<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    If there\u2019s anything we know for sure about Bessette-Kennedy, it\u2019s that even if she was wearing something casual like a pair of denim, she made it look expensive and effortless. These \u201890s-inspired straight-leg jeans with a slimmer fit have the same vibe, and look a tad more elevated than baggier styles<\/u>.\n<\/p>\n

    J.Crew Cashmere High V-Neck Sweater <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"Cashmere\"Cashmere<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    J. Crew<\/p>\n

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    $148 at Jcrew.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    I\u2019m a sucker for a simple, 100% cashmere sweater<\/u>, especially this black one from J.Crew that I think CBK would wear on repeat. Its no-frills silhouette and V-neckline that\u2019s easy to layer over white t-shirts<\/u> is truly a wardrobe staple. If you want something more fun than plain black, this style comes in eight other colors.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    J.Crew Ballet-Sleeve Top In Lightweight Stretch Cotton Blend <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"Ballet-sleeve\"Ballet-sleeve<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    J. Crew<\/p>\n

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    $60<\/span><\/div>\n

    $35 at Jcrew.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Boatneck tops<\/u> have always been chic\u2014CBK emphasized this by sporting tops and dresses with this neckline on several occasions. I\u2019m obsessed with this lightweight cotton option, especially in the ivory shade, and love how you can still wear a normal bra<\/u> with it.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Gap Flip-Flop Sandals <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"Flip\"Flip<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    Gap<\/p>\n

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    $45<\/span><\/div>\n

    $28 at Gap<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Though friends think I\u2019m crazy for wearing flip-flops around New York City, I know it\u2019s okay because Bessette-Kennedy did, too. She\u2019s been frequently photographed wearing classic black flip-flops, similar to this pair from the Gap, which even has a slight platform for an added chic detail.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    J.Crew Western Straight Jean <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"Western\"Western<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    J. Crew<\/p>\n

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    $159<\/span><\/div>\n

    $110 at Jcrew.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    If CBK wore baggier denim, it looked like this pair from J.Crew\u2014relaxed, comfortable, but still effortlessly chic and with subtle shape. This style reminds me of my favorite vintage pairs, with the slightly wider leg, straight-leg design, and gorgeous classic blue wash.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    J.Crew New Perfect-Fit High-Neck Tank Top <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"New\"New<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    J. Crew<\/p>\n

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    $30 at Jcrew.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    Nothing pulls a look together like a perfect-fitting white tank top\u2014this simple basic from J.Crew is very Carolyn-coded. The slimmer fit and higher neckline give it a more polished feel than other tanks, in my opinion.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Gap Modern Square-Neck Maxi Dress <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"Modern\"Modern<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    Gap<\/p>\n

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    $70<\/span><\/div>\n

    $49 at Gap<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    There are several famous paparazzi photos of CBK in a gorgeous, simple black dress, but one of my favorites is of her in a casual black slip dress<\/u>, wearing nothing else but her famous oval-shaped sunnies and heeled loafers. Though this Gap option is a maxi and not a midi dress as she has on in that photo, it has the same chic, effortless vibe, with a simple square neck and body-skimming fit.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    J.Crew \u00c9tienne Oversized Shirt In Lightweight Oxford <\/span><\/h2>\n
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    \"\u00c9tienne\"\u00c9tienne<\/div>\n<\/div>
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    J. Crew<\/p>\n

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    $128<\/span><\/div>\n

    $90 at Jcrew.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    If you don\u2019t already have a plain white button-down<\/u> in your closet, here\u2019s your sign to invest in a high-quality option from J.Crew. Dress it up with a long wool skirt (like Bessette-Kennedy famously did at Calvin Klein) or casually with denim.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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