#justiceforcarolyn and thirteen things she would want you to have in your capsule wardrobe.
Because she didn't deserve that empty birkin and acetate skirt.
Not to sound like Meghan Markle, but one of my high school jobs was working at Incredible Feets in Lawrence, New York. Back in the 90s, working at that sneaker store was like being part of a different era of retail altogether. It was family owned and operated and while most other sneaker shops operated with the grab-a-box-and-figure-it-out-yourself approach, our store treated shoe shopping like a genuine service experience. We would measure customers’ feet properly (with a Brannock device!) ask about their activities and preferences, and actually sit down with them to help lace up different styles.
The stock room stretched impossibly high, its shelves reaching toward the ceiling, forcing us to scramble up like acrobats and launch boxes earthward once we spotted the right combination of color and size. I loved watching customers eyes light up when I would bring out three different options based on our chat, or I would suggest a slightly different size after watching them walk around. It was old-school customer service that made buying sneakers feel special rather than transactional, something that was already becoming rare even then.
One Friday in July, I was walking out of the stock room when a breaking news alert flashed across the store’s television. The anchor’s voice cut through the usual buzz of customers trying on sneakers, announcing that John F. Kennedy Jr.‘s small aircraft had gone missing somewhere over the waters near Martha’s Vineyard. The entire store seemed to pause - even the kids who’d been arguing over the last pair of Jordans went quiet. I remember standing there with a shoebox in my hands, watching the grainy footage of search boats dotting the dark ocean, thinking how surreal it felt to witness such a momentous tragedy unfold while surrounded by the mundane comfort of rubber soles and retail displays.
I had always loved the Kennedys, mostly admiring Jackie’s style and JFK’s good looks from all the coffee table books I had collected (on my Christmas list every year) starting at age 10. The gravity of losing someone from America’s most famous political family felt especially heavy in that ordinary moment, making the sneaker store seem like the strangest place to process such news.
Ryan Murphy (who created Glee, Nip/Tuck etc) has an upcoming TV series called “American Love Story” that focuses on the real-life love story between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The release date is a year away but there have been some recent images shared by the series and the styling of Carolyn is tragic. I won’t ruin her legacy by posting the photos - but you can read about it here in The Cut and also here in Vogue.
In one of the images she was wearing an acetate skirt and chuck taylors (GASP) and the fashion world’s response was immediate and brutal. Ryan Murphy quickly issued damage control, insisting that those images showed only “placeholder wardrobe” and “lighting and color tests,” promising that the actual styling would feature the exact vintage versions of what Carolyn wore. WELL THANK GAWD.
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was the QUEEN of quiet luxury long before it became a trend, and she was a living and breathing capsule wardrobe decades before stylists started screaming about that!
Of course I still have my Pinterest board (that I created twelve years ago!) dedicated to her TriBeCa street style and pulled together a shop of the best items for a capsule wardrobe inspired by her Spring/Summer casual looks. Yes, I will do one for Fall/Winter in a few months because she had so many good coats.
These are the actual jeans that she was known for wearing - she wore hers a bit cropped because she was just the coolest. I found some used pairs online here, here and here and Levis also has a new version here and in a another good wash here. Lastly, AGoldE has a great 90s crop jean if you can’t do the bootcut.
I have three options for you Nili Lotan Anine Bing or JCrew. I also love a linen shirt as we go into Summer - try this one from JCrew.
The actual one that CBK wore was the 1.375-inch-wide headbands made by Charles J. Wahba, a label founded in New York City in 1959 and handmade in France. They still sell them at Zitomer’s Pharmacy, C.O.Bigelow Pharmacy and HERE on Etsy. JCrew also has an excellent tortoise assortment - this thin one is cute. While you are at the pharmacy you have to buy these designer wrapped pill bottles (which I don’t think CBK would have used) but they are a fantastic gift for a friend!
Oval Sunglasses
CBK wore the Selima Optique oval frames that they have now named The Carolyn, but I think these LeSpec ones are SUCH a good dupe. I have also recommended this Saint Laurent ones that I have in tortoise and are fantastic.
Canvas Tote
She was photographed using the famous LL Bean Tote but if you are looking for something a little different I love these totes from Alex Mill that you can monogram!! and these Immodest Cotton ones.
The Cropped Pant
As you know HighSport is my North Star when it comes to a good crop pant. They are pricey for sure - but they are unbelievable comfortable (I flew 14 hours in them) and then walked through the airport feeling polished. I have not tried the less expensive alternative from Donni but I know women who can vouch for these. People also love this Ann Mashburn one.
The Leather Flip Flop
Jenni Kayne has a great one, other options from A.Emery The Flora and Kinto and of course COS has a gorgeous dark burgundy.
The Cotton Sweater
Unfortunately Ralph Lauren US seems to have stopped making the 100% cotton ones from the 90s (tragic) - but I found a green one here from Farfetch - and there are so many vintage ones on Etsy that I included in the shop here.
Other great NEW options are the La Ligne Mini Marina or this Alex Mill cotton and linen one.
The Blocked Mid Heel Sandal
I love a sensible sandal like this - not too high but not flat and great for city streets. Ayede makes a good one and also Margaux. Both of the ones I am suggesting are the embossed python which acts as a neutral. If you are not into that of course they have solids too. I also love these Manolo’s that are on sale now.
Baseball Hat
Any simple hat will do - but I picked this Whitney Museum one because I think CBK would have loved that they moved the museum downtown. Also it was for the Whitney benefit that she wore that incredible white button down and black skirt outfit - with NO necklaces or earrings and just 2 simple rings!!! All hail her iconic minimalism!!!
Yellow Raincoat
Stutterheim make the best raincoats - but I put some other options in the shop as well.
Classic Sneaker
She loved a classic Adidas Stan Smith and I think we can all agree we don’t need another Samba. Alternative option Vans Era sneaker.
The Perfect T Shirt
If you have not bought this t-shirt yet you must. It is the perfect fit and weight. I also love these Jungmaven tees in the khaki and navy colors. They look and feel vintage but are brand new. Lastly, a new brand that one of my subscribers recommended called Eterne. This oversize one is cool.
Everything is included in this SHOP.
Lastly,
- if this newsletter gets to you somehow I am promising to donate any of my commission earnings to The Kennedy Museum and also - I think you are really funny and love your instagram @JackUno !! Everyone should follow him!As always thank you for subscribing and please share with your friends! Xo