Carolyn Bessette is one of the most loved style icons! She was famous in the late 1990s, and people still copy her look today. Her style was all about keeping things simple, wearing clothes that fit perfectly, and keeping accessories to a minimum. I’m sharing 10 tips for achieving her style as well as how to recreate some of her looks!
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Tip One: Wear Neutral Colors
Carolyn almost always wore black, white, cream, tan, navy, and gray. That’s it! This might sound boring, but it actually makes getting dressed so much easier. When all your clothes match each other, you can throw on almost anything and look put together. Try swapping out your bright or busy clothes for simple, solid colors over time.
PANTS // TOP // SHOES // BAG // BELT // SUNGLASSES
Tip Two: Make Sure Your Clothes Fit Perfectly
This was Carolyn’s biggest secret! Her clothes always looked like they were made JUST for her. You don’t need to buy expensive clothes to get this look, you just need a good tailor. Take your favorite pants, jackets, and dresses to get adjusted so they fit your body just right. It makes a huge difference!
Tip Three: Master the Art of a Slip Dress
Carolyn made the slip dress famous when she wore a simple white one to her wedding. She also wore black slip dresses for regular days out. To recreate her style, pick a slip dress in silk or satin with nothing fancy on it. Keep your jewelry simple. Try small earrings or a thin necklace.
Tip Four: Embrace the Power of Black
Black was Carolyn’s go-to color. She wore black turtlenecks, black pants, black dresses, and black coats all the time. Black isn’t boring! It’s chic! If you’re wearing all black, mix it up a little. Try a shiny top with matte pants, or a tight shirt with looser bottoms.
Tip Five: Buy Less, But Buy Better
Carolyn had fewer pieces, but they were all really good quality. She wore the same things over and over. Instead of buying lots of cheap clothes, save up for one nice sweater or coat that you really love. Before you buy something, ask yourself, will I still want to wear this years from now?
DRESS // GLOVES // SHOES // BRACELET
Tip Six: Keep Jewelry Simple
Carolyn hardly ever wore a lot of jewelry. Her jewelry never took attention away from her outfit. Pick a few nice pieces in gold or silver and stick with those! You don’t need to pile on bracelets and rings, one pretty piece is enough.
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Tip Seven: Perfect Your Coat Game
Carolyn lived in New York, so she wore coats a lot. Her favorites were long tan coats, simple black wool coats, and classic trench coats. A nice coat can make even a plain outfit look fancy. Look for coats with clean, simple shapes and good fabric.
COAT // JEANS // BOOTS // SCARF // SUNGLASSES
Tip Eight: Stick to Classic Silhouettes
Carolyn didn’t wear crazy designs or wild patterns. Her clothes had simple, classic shapes like straight-leg pants, pencil skirts, fitted turtlenecks, and plain button-up shirts. These styles are timeless. Skip the trendy stuff that will look dated next year.
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Tip Nine: Keep Hair and Makeup Natural
Carolyn’s hair and makeup were just as simple as her clothes. She usually wore her hair straight and down, or pulled back in a simple way. Her makeup was barely there. When your clothes are simple, you don’t want over-the-top hair and makeup to clash with your look.
Tip Ten: Be Confident in Simple Clothes
The most important part of Carolyn’s style wasn’t something she bought. It was how confident she looked in simple clothes! She never seemed like she was trying to get attention, but people noticed her anyway. Real style isn’t about wearing the fanciest outfit. It’s about feeling good in what you’re wearing and knowing what works for you!
Carolyn’s style still matters today because it was never about chasing trends. It was about keeping things simple and trusting that less is more. You don’t have to copy her exact outfits. Just take her ideas and make them work for your own life.