Why I am taking a clothes hanger out of CBK’s wardrobe and why you should too

There are many celebrities that I look up to for fashion inspiration, but Carolyn Bassette Kennedy influences them all. Known familiarly as CBK, Carolyn was famous for her marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr., son of President JFK. Whilst it must be admitted that the couple did coordinate very well, CBK’s position as the epitome of ’90s minimalism is my main focus. Her acute sense of style makes sense, as before marrying JFK Jr., she worked for Calvin Klein – an influence definitely seen throughout her outfits, particularly through the use of clean lines, layers and neutrals, staples of ’90s fashion.

The key in all of these was tight in the right places, loose in the others, so that everything looked made for her (which it most likely was)

One of the key elements of CBK’s style is the palette, made up of almost exclusively neutrals. Her outfits consisted mostly of blacks, but especially for nighttime, with the addition of browns for the city. Creams and whites were for the country and vacationing in the Hamptons (very high-brow, I know). Amidst the sea of neutrals, there were a couple of standout pieces, including an impressive pair of rust-coloured flared trousers, snake-skin sandals, and a very special statement leopard print trench. For the most part, neutrals were the nexus for CBK.

Also hugely important to the wardrobe is the cut of clothes. All of Carolyn’s clothes fit her like she spent hours looking for the perfect ones – which, in the case of her Levi jeans, was actually true. A crisp shirt, tight top, or V-neck jumper make common appearances, but there are no t-shirts in sight, even despite her deceptively casual appearance. Other than the jeans she spent forever digging for, silhouettes included slacks that are wide enough to billow, but still fit well, or long, straight skirts, both for casual and formal wear. The key in all of these was tight in the right places, loose in the others, so that everything looked made for her (which it most likely was).

Big coats are hugely prominent throughout pictures of her; usually a black trench, sometimes lined with fur

As part of one of the most prestigious American families, CBK attended a great number of events requiring formal wear, and unsurprisingly, she developed a kind of uniform for these occasions. This usually had a base of a black formal dress with an open-neck of some kind, whether a deep V, boat neck, or bandeau, paired with black patent heels, a black clutch, and either diamonds or pearls – very classy. More often than not seen with a red lip, this was the blueprint and importantly, always matched her date.

So the barebones of CBK’s wardrobe are neutrals and clean lines, but what else? Big coats are hugely prominent throughout pictures of her; usually a black trench, sometimes lined with fur. If not a trench-coat, then a thicker winter coat does make the occasional appearance when the weather asks for it. And of course, the leopard print trench deserves a second mention.

More accessories include thin sunglasses – the ones trending at the time – and a tortoiseshell or black headband. Hair is down or in an elegant, less-simple-than-it-looks knot, with a blondeness bright enough to blind (but still classy). For a bag, the rotation is a simple purse, an elegant clutch, or a Birkin bag (all in black) with a few rare sightings of a large tote, and even a wicker basket.

However, while this guide seems easy enough to emulate, the real secret is her attitude towards clothes

Footwear for CBK was all about practicality, but not at the expense of style. Most often seen were boots, usually with a square toe and a block heel, which also translated into shoes or sandals. Weather-permitting, there was also the occasional flip-flop paired with jeans (this is making a comeback, and if I didn’t have poor circulation, I would wear this into the ground). Footwear was allowed to be a bit more colourful: think browns, burgundies, and beiges, rather than blacks, with a notable pair of snake-skin sandals. If I haven’t said this enough already, it is utterly chic.

However, while this guide seems easy enough to emulate, the real secret is her attitude towards clothes. I mean, her wedding bouquet was a bunch of lily-of-the-valley; nothing is more beautifully simple. CBK was known for real curation, often favouring smaller brands and taking her time in picking the right clothes (for example, Levi’s).

Even so, although we may never be cool enough (or rich enough) to approach clothes in quite the same way, we can take inspiration by reaching for simpler tones, cuts that fit our body well, rather than what is ‘the cut’ of the month, and spending a little more time pondering each purchase. And of course, coming back to gaze at paparazzi snaps of CBK when all else fails.