Simplicity never goes out of Style: The Fashion of Carolyn Bassette Kennedy

By Ella Fitzpatrick

A low bun, bootcut jeans, and black boots was a signature look for Carolyn Bassette Kennedy all throughout the 90s, simple yet elegant. FX’s newest series on HBO Max, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Basette, starring Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Anthony Kelly has taken the world by storm causing the internet to circulate and obsess, not for the first time, over how to get the perfect CBK look. And in re-examining CBK’s iconic looks, we are reminded why simplicity never goes out of style. 

Each day as we unlock our phones, we are attacked and bombarded by so many different advertisements and tik tok trends. By the way the internet circulates today, trends quickly develop into microtrends, becoming the newest piece at Zara, only to be thrown away a month later. As we learn over and over, the polka dots of today can quickly transform into the stripes of tomorrow. 

So it causes us to wonder in an age of microtrends and fast fashion, can doing less actually be more? 

And in the case of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, it certainly is.

With hair tied back in her signature bun, paired with a tortoise shell headband and oval shades, CBK rocks a black coat, white tee, boot-cut denim jeans, and heeled black boots. Simple, classic, wearing, not styling. 

One of the silent sins of the fashion industry is outfit repetition. But, CBK has shown us that not only is repetition okay, it should be encouraged. Having staple pieces that you genuinely enjoy and feel good wearing is so much more important than buying into the newest trends. So, no! You do not need that polka dot top from Princess Polly and you do not need those coral trousers from Anthropologie just because the internet tells you that is what’s in. 

That pair of boot cut jeans and that white button down sitting in the back of the closet will do just fine! And they can be worn in so many versatile ways. To have “a staple closet” is to stray from what’s trending and build off into your own personal style. 

What I mean by simplicity is to wear what feels and looks good to you. Simplicity is having the handful of tops that you love and cherish. The thing that worked for CBK and her simplistic style was the fact that she was comfortable in herself and wore what she wanted. And so should you!