There Are 8 Precise Pieces Of Clothing We Need To Dress As Chic As Carolyn Bessette Kennedy In The Series Love Story
Just 8
Image: Getty | Lawrence Schwartzwald
by The Candidly Team
More than perhaps any other woman, when we look back at the luminous Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, we are astonished by how every outfit she wore in 1999, would make her the chicest person in any room today, 25 years later.
We get a fair amount of hate when we invoke her iconic and enduring fashion, as if it’s trivial to discuss the clothes of someone who died so young. But Carolyn’s now seminal wardrobe is, in part, why people still talk and write about her today. And the new FX series Love Story certainly pays tribute to that with outfit after outfit that’s so seminal to chicness, we started to question why we’d ever dress any other way.
Image: Getty | Lawrence Schwartzwald
So in a sea of fashionable celebrities, why does Carolyn still stand out?
Well. She dressed very simply. Everything she wore was trend-proof and classic. She barely wore jewelry. Every piece fit impeccably. She made the classic lustworthy. And we certainly lust after her clothes some quarter of a century on.
Being remembered for your outfits 25 years on isn’t trivial. It’s art. Clothes can be art. And if Carolyn were alive today, she may have launched her own line of impeccable basics, and we would have been writing about them now. But today we settle for a list of 9 essential pieces to achieve her flawless style.
THE WHITE BUTTON-DOWN
Image: FX
J.Crew Jules classic-fit shirt in cotton poplin
We start with a crisp, white button-down shirt. It’s the piece you can unbutton at your leisure, messily roll up the sleeves, half tuck into jeans and still look wildly chic. This is the one we’re sure Carolyn herself would have owned.
Price: $98
2. THE ANKLE JEANS
Images: FX
Madewell The Stretch Flare Crop Jean
The cropped length and slight kick-flare is unreal. Just look at that silhouette shot above. It’s one of the most balancing and flattering cuts in denim, so if you’re slim and straight like Carolyn, it gives you curves, but if you’re curvy, it will give you your smoothest, most flattering proportions, and a more lifted looking backside even in flats. Plus, and this is very important, look how this Madewell pair has big pockets. That, my friends, is also key to your bottom looking its best in jeans.
Price: $148
3. THE SKIMMING SKIRTS
Image: FX
Marcella Vesey Pencil Skirt
A perfect black pencil skirt is required. This one is our favorite because it is beautifully stretchy. And the size range is *chef’s kiss.*
Price: $88
Quince 100% Washable Silk Maxi Skirt
With a truly astounding price, this WASHABLE silk skirt is a full maxi on most of us who aren’t model-height. Pair it with a black turtleneck and boots or a white tee and sneaks. Either way, you’ll attain a CBK level of sophistication.
Price: $80
4. THE BLACK LONG-SLEEVES
Images: FX
Quince Mongolian Cashmere Shrunken Crewneck Sweater
You can’t not look sleek and put together when wearing a fitted, black long-sleeve on top. Start with a well tailored cashmere pullover. It’s a classic girl’s best friend. This flawless one from Quince costs 3-4x less than anywhere else, which means we get to buy it in 2-3 colors beside black, no?
Price: $70
Gap Factory Ribbed Shirt
We don’t need to overthink or overspend when it comes to a black button-down. We love that this one is a soft, stretchy, ribbed material so we it doesn’t read “office.” We tuck it into jeans with this belt* to go out in the evenings and wear it with pencil skirts to work during the week.
Price: $35
J.Crew Carolyn turtleneck sweater in merino wool
Quite simply, the perfect, stretchy black turtleneck that makes any outfit “quiet luxury.” The ribbing and the extra long sleeve makes your upper body look long and lithe.
Price: $105
5. THE LITTLE BLaCK DRESSES
Images: FX
Quince 100% Washable Silk Slip Dress
Again, there’s nothing complicated about a slip dress, especially in black. Wear it with any black heels and your hair down, and you’re understated and stunning. And if you’re scared of spaghetti straps we 100% swear by THESE. Game-changing!
Price: $90
Aritzia FigureKnit™ Eyecatcher Dress
Little known fact: strapless is actually MORE flattering than sleeveless. And this dress hits at the perfect spot under the arm that magically does NOT create lumps and bulges. The fabric glides over the tummy and the rump to create a gorgeous hourglass on literally any body type, and that bit of ruching nips the waist. It’s one of our favorite LBDs ever, one we’d surely see on CBK and probably Audrey Hepburn before her.
Price: $148
Nation Dulce Midi Dress
And here is one with nice straps but so much gorgeous slink and movement, we can practically feel the stilettos on our feet as we imagine ourselves grabbing our wool coat and wearing this confidently out the door.
Price: $167
6. THE ODDLY PERFECT TANKS
Images: FX
Quince Cotton Modal Muscle Tank
A perfectly cut muscle tank can make a simple pair of jeans look unbelievably chic.
Price: $15
Éterne 90s Tank
Aptly called the 90s tank, this is a stretchy ribbed tank that holds you in beautifully and looks great with high-waist jeans. And listen, tanks are a heavily under-estimated, highly flattering staple every woman should own. Under an open button-down or a tailored blazer, it gives you definition and shape … and yes, a touch of allure. The dream!
Price: $95
7. THE LITTLE BLACK PANTS
Image: FX
The Colette Magic Fabric Crop Wide-Leg Pants by Maeve
Sleek, wide-leg, cropped, slightly French girl, black pants that are flexible and flattering on curves are an essential component of an elevated-basics wardrobe. This pair one is our favorite, favorite, favorite.
Price: $90
8. THE FITTED WHITE TEE
Images: FX
J.Crew Refined rib elbow-sleeve T-shirt
We could argue all day about what’s the best white tee out there, but we can assure you it’s not a tee with sleeves that hit right at the widest part of your arm. This one has the most flattering sleeve length and impeccable J.Crew quality. Trust us, it will be your go-to.
Price: $39.50
But wait!!!! Where would we be without her accessories?
Bonus: The Essential Extras
The Bandana: A bandana is a genius way of hiding away greasy roots while staying supremely stylish.
The Glasses: Perhaps the one giveaway that her style was honed in the 90s is these sunglasses she wore. But, since the 90s are back, we love them.
The Loafers: If Love Story did nothing else, it reminded us why loafers are the most versatile, classic shoe in the world. This Italian leather pair is wildly well-priced.
The Tote: This basic, perennially perfect L.L. Bean canvas bag was a pragmatic favorite of Carolyn’s, proving that sometimes, most of the time in fact, the simple choice, is the best choice.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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