Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Had the Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe—30 Timeless Staples That Will Never Go Out of Style

When minimalist dressers look to someone for personal style inspiration, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is often the first to come to mind. Few figures are as enduring—or as effortlessly chic—as her. CBK’s wardrobe was the definition of ’90s minimalism aesthetic and the epitome of pared-back elegance. She favored designers like Yohji Yamamoto, Prada, Miu Miu, and Ann Demeulemeester—but just like us, she also loved Gap T-shirts and a pair of Levi’s. Her closet felt like a blueprint for timeless dressing.

Decades later, her influence is still felt. From the book CBK: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy: A Life in Fashion to a Sotheby’s auction of her wardrobe, from endless TikToks about her outfits to talks of a Ryan Murphy series, her legacy continues to shape how we dress.