The Kennedy Women: Signature Style, Timeless Trends
It’s no secret that I have become a huge Jackie Kennedy fan. While rebelling against all things timeless and preppy in my youth, I’ve done a complete 180 and embraced all the traditionally feminine things that I’ve once rebelled against. When it comes to style and stylish living, no one did it better than Jackie Kennedy in my opinion. And while her life was filled with so many tragic moments, she was able to maintain her poise and dignity throughout it all. Below we talk about 3 Kennedy women (1 is actually not a true Kennedy, but so close to Jackie that we will loop her into this group"): Jackie, Carolyn Bessett, and Lee Radziwill.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Known for her big sunglasses to shield of paparrazi, trench coats, and big scarfs over her head. We love her timeless, elegant equestrian inspired style. Never too girly, but always feminine.
Not only was she stylist in formal settings, Jackie O maintained a level of chic even during her various recreational habits from tennis to riding.
Despite her ability to dress up to the highest level of proper, Jackie much preferred to be in capris and a teeshirt - barefoot if possible. She was a down to earth woman, who had an innate sense of style. When she did dress up, she never looked forced or too done up. There was always something characteristically her about the ensemble.
The First lady did not shy away from a print, however she was rarely seen wearing a traditional floral print. Instead she opted for more graphic motifs and pinstripes.
As we had previously mentioned, Mrs. Kennedy knew how to put together a formal look. Here we see her in an iconic red dress with a pearl choker set high on the collar.
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Perhaps the most relevant Kennedy to the Millennial and Gen Z-ers is Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who married John Jr. (Jackie O’s son). She married into American royalty and suffered for it. With a disdain for the media similar to another famous blond haired princess, Bessette-Kennedy was effortlessly stylish and the magazines wanted to capture every minute of her life. She was epitome of New York cool, wearing converse with corduroys in the day and sleek minimal Calvin Klein slips at night. With a waterfall of lush blonde hair, it was impossible to miss her. Unfortunately Carolyn’s young life was tragically ended when she crashed in a personal airplane piloted by her husband. While she may no longer be with us, her style legacy continues on.
Carolyn was known for her signature long coats, headbands, and 90’s oval sunglasses. Living in NYC, she was often spotted wearing various long line outerwear pieces usually in muted tones. On occasion she was known to wear a leopard print or a subtle color.
Despite her ability to transform in the a modern barbie, Carolyn loved to wear her husbands pieces with nike trainers. She was often seen hanging out in central park in oversized pieces. Her relaxed cool girl style is on the border line of disheveled, but her perfectly highlighted blonde hair keeps her from looking sloppy.
Sleek long lines, black and white hues, and a strappy heel, this was the formula for Bessette-Kennedy’s evening looks. We personally love her strapless tube top and skirt with a long glove - a modern update to mother-in-law Jackie Kennedy’s First Lady days.
Anther signature mark of CBK’s style is her sensible footwear. Never seen in a towering stiletto, Carolyn enjoyed walking around the city, taking the subway (seen here) and pushing past paparazzi in a stable shoe. We love her lady like loafers pictured here and her innumerable stacked boot options.
Lee Radziwill
Lee Radziwill, or offically titled as Her Serene Highness, in her brief marriage to Polish aristocrat Prince Stanisław Albrecht Radziwill, was an American royal in her own right. Despite having to share the spotlight with sister Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Lee was able to create her own code of dressing. Before her passing in 2019, she became a regular in the global Fashion Week circuit, often sitting front row next to some of Hollywood’s A-list stars.
No newbie to the social circuit, Lee knew how to stand out from her fellow social swans. She often opted for graphic stripes in her formalwear instead of traditionally feminine dressing.
One of the major things that stand out about Lee, is her love of trousers. Often she is seen in pants posed next to her sister who is wearing a dress. Perhaps it was her way of differentiating herself from the older Kennedy. We see that even in formal settings, she would opt for pants instead of a skirt or dress. To the right, the image of Lee captures her style sensibility - easy going, effortless and happy.
Lee signature color of choice was white. The woman loved to shine brighter than anyone around her, day or evening.
Like her sister, Lee chose to stay away from frilly floral prints. Regardless of her lack of traditional motifs, she still always looked extremely feminine. She was often seen wearing ornate beaded or brocade tops that lent an air of celebration and formality.
