It’s a Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Spring—Here’s How to Recreate CBK’s Quiet Luxury Look on a Budget

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FX’s Love Story explores the public and private relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. While the show indulges viewers with romanticized glimpses of New York in the 90s—it’s CBK’s effortlessly chic, timeless style that has our nostalgic hearts skipping a beat. 

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Style, at a Glance

• Best Button-Up: Madewell The Easy Poplin Button-Up Shirt, $88
• Best Tank: Petal & Pup Nissa Mock Neck Sleeveless Top, $45
• Best Coat: Mango Belted Wool Blend Coat, $300
• Best Brown Pants: Paige Leenah Wide Leg Pant, $289
• Best Skirt: Reformation Jodie Knit Skirt, $128
• Best Khaki Pants: Hollister Mid-Rise Khaki Bootcut Jeans, $29 (was $50)
• Best Turtleneck: Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Turtleneck Sweater, $120
• Best Headband: Kitsch Tort Wide Headband, $7 (was $10)
• Best Sunglasses: Quince Bali Polarized Acetate Sunglasses, $50

The former Calvin Klein publicist was known for her minimalist silhouettes, creating a capsule wardrobe of versatile pieces that went from basic to iconic in an instant. From her low-rise bootleg jeans to her slinky slip skirts and dresses, CBK knew how to curate a quiet luxury look with a few key pieces.

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This spring, we’re taking a page out of CBK’s style book and wearing crisp white button-up shirts with slip skirts, khaki pants with black sweaters, and slicking our hair back in a bun with a thick plastic tortoise shell headband and oval sunglasses.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Clothing

Madewell The Easy Poplin Button-Up Shirt

$88 Buy Now

For that crisp button-up look, go with the Madewell The Easy Poplin Button-Up Shirt. This classic white button-up is made from 100% cotton and boasts a versatile design that can be worn with a pair of bootcut jeans, flats, and a tortoise shell headband, or a sleek slip skirt for that effortless CBK look. 

Sizes Available: 2XS-2XL
Colorways: 2

Petal & Pup Nissa Mock Neck Sleeveless Top

$45 Buy Now

CBK loved a sleeveless top with a high neckline, and the Petal & Pup Nissa Mock Neck Sleeveless Top feels like a modern version of her classic 90s style. While she would have definitely gone for the black, this top is also available in white, and is a nice white tee alternative to wear with jeans or skirts. 

Sizes Available: XS-XL
Colorways: 2

Mango Belted Wool Blend Coat

$300 Buy Now

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s style was dripping in those classic Americana fashion vibes—and a black wool coat was her winter and late spring staple. The Mango Belted Wool Blend Coat is similar to a lot of the coats she’s been photographed in (with the exception of that amazing orange tweed Prada jacket, of course).  

Sizes Available: XS-XL
Colorways: 3

Paige Leenah Wide Leg Pant

$289 Buy Now

Brown corduroy pants are another thing linked to CBK’s wardrobe. The Paige Leenah Wide Leg Pants aren’t the exact style, but they’re a close and more modern alternative for those who want to draw some inspiration from the publicist’s impeccable taste.  

Sizes Available: 00-14
Colorways: 2

Reformation Jodie Knit Skirt

$128 Buy Now

Slip skirts and slip dresses were another CBK wardrobe staple. For one that is just as versatile, go with the Reformation Jodie Knit Skirt. You can pair this skirt with the Madewell The Easy Poplin Button-Up Shirt to recreate one of her most well-known looks, or wear it with a cropped baby tee and some flats for a more relaxed, casual spring look. 

Sizes Available: XS-XL
Colorways: 2

Hollister Mid-Rise Khaki Bootcut Jeans

On Sale 42% off

$29 Buy Now

Khaki pants were big in the 90s and another key component of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s style—especially when paired with contrasting black tops. If you want a pair of classic bootcut pants like CBK’s, consider the Hollister Mid-Rise Khaki Bootcut Jeans. These look so chic with a cozy black turtleneck and some penny loafers. 

Sizes Available: 000-20
Colorways: 1

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Turtleneck Sweater

$120 Buy Now

Quince wasn’t around in the 90s, but CBK would have loved its quiet luxury aesthetic. For a luxe black turtleneck option that won’t cost you a ton of money, go with the Quince Fisherman Turtleneck Sweater. This sweater is constructed from 100% Mongolian cashmere and costs under $150. 

Sizes Available: XS-XL
Colorways: 7

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Accessories

Kitsch Tort Wide Headband

On Sale 30% off

$7 Buy Now

Despite her minimalistic style, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy actually accessorized quite a bit, and her 1.5-inch French acetate tortoiseshell Charles J. Wahba headband ($40) is one of her most iconic pieces. For something similar, but less expensive, go with this $7 Kitsch Tort Wide Headband. The plastic headband has a similar brown tone and tortoise shell design as CBK’s wardrobe staple. 

Colorways: 1

Quince Bali Polarized Acetate Sunglasses

$50 Buy Now

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s sunglasses were another one of her most memorable accessories—and the Quince Bali Polarized Acetate Sunglasses are so similar to the ones she often wore. These $50 sunglasses have a high-quality, luxe feel without the designer price tag. 

Colorways: 3

Faithful the Brand Lucia Head Scarf

$40 Buy Now

CBK also didn’t shy away from the headscarf trend—it was the late 90s after all. While the current headscarf trend is more of a wrapped silk scarf look, the OG triangle scarf style is still very chic. To get the look, add the Faithful the Brand Lucia Head Scarf to your cart. 

Colorways: 1

Kuumba Made Egyptian Musk Perfume

$12 Buy Now

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s perfume preference was an Abdul Kareem Egyptian Musk. While it’s no longer in production, you can still get your hands on something similar—and the Kuumba Made Egyptian Musk Perfume is exactly that. This alcohol-free fragrance oil is simple and timeless with notes of muguet, cumin, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and cinnamon. 

Sizes Available: 0.15, 0.5 ounces