How to Dress Like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

When keeping lines clean and silhouettes body-skimming (never too tight or revealing), bodices and simple necklines keep things interesting in relation to what is layered over. The piece de resistance in this case is a coat with luxe details, whether it’s suede, faux fur, or has a notched velvet collar. The layering of hemlines? Also key. Finish with a not-too-high-but-not-too-modest heel.

In 1999 Carolyn Bessette’s championing of the white button down blouse helped ensure it became a borrowed-from-the-boys- formal wear essential. The key? Don’t style your blouse in an overly buttoned-up manner, make sure your top of choice is slim-cut and not oversized, and preferably without pockets, which can dress things down. Also, keep the fabric of your skirt or accompanying bottom contrasting for a bit of drama (silk works great for this), and keep the accessories minimal but feminine. The recipe for a standard-setting elegance-avec-negligence ensemble.

Somewhere along the line we have all been brainwashed into thinking that we can’t wear black and brown together. This is not so; this look by CBK from 1996 is proof. Layer neutral colors with differing textures (peep the shine on her brown square toe boots) and clean lines (the camel skirt topped with a black sweater.) There is quite simply nothing simple about this look.

If there was an area that CBK particularly excelled, it was with her use of texture. Here, a simple black coat over a white tee is elevated with a pair of sleek Selima Optique frames, the warmth of her tortoiseshell headband (from C.O. Bigelow!), and her fuzzy scarf. With a few additions of accessories, an outfit that would not have been noteworthy is made special.