YouLookFab Forum » Topic: The CBK effect .

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: The CBK effect . https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:55:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect/page/2#post-2408029 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:09:44 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2408029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a fun conversation!  Cookie, sister, I’m giving you a thumbs up from across the internet!<div> </div><div>Bijou, I’m theatrical romantic as well, but hadn’t really thought about Kibbe in a long time!  I am resisting that rabbit hole. I would be interested to see a “CBK-Your-Way” thread of everybody’s take on how they would treat a CBK inspired WIWW.</div> avebabe on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect/page/2#post-2407877 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 03:17:03 +0000 avebabe 2407877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So fascinating to read all of the comments. My style has always been tailored with black turtlenecks, straight or flared jeans, loafers, black pants, white tops, etc. Have occasionally tried through the years to buy patterned, floral, boho clothes and they felt so totally wrong—always end up either not buying these items or giving them away. Part of me feels like “what’s the big deal” with CBK but if the series helps people find their sense of fashion, either by identifying with her or forging their own path, it’s a win/win! Star (Lise) on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect/page/2#post-2407832 Sun, 08 Mar 2026 10:40:23 +0000 Star (Lise) 2407832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So I have been looking at more pics of CBK and noticed how she regularly rewore all her pieces. As money was not an issue I find that cool. I saw an interview years ago on an Oprah show where it was discussed how the 'rich it girls' of that time, that was in the early 00's, (the Olsens and the Hiltons) were bragging about never wearing a piece more than once. I was so put off. Carol on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect/page/2#post-2407697 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:49:46 +0000 Carol 2407697@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I did not know much about her until the last few years, but I am glad I found out. I'm not too into her personal life, unless it is really fascinating, but I love her style. She's in the same camp as Sofia Coppola--more modern versions of Classic style. But also "and then some--"there would never be a jazzy necklace or patchwork dress in the mix.These are the women who could throw on a shift dress with no jewelry--because they just picked such excellent dresses. I want to pore through her photos now...it is going to bug me until I can define it further. I think what it is is a reverence for "taste," and if that is intuitive, it works really well for people. It's not the same as a reverence for quality, luxury or even a certain designer.  It's sort of in a category all its own.  UmmLila (Lisa) on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect/page/2#post-2407579 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:47:43 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2407579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ She was born the same year I was, and I became aware of her when I was starting my career as a lawyer. At the time I thought of her as one of those tall thin girls who could wear clothes that didn’t work for me at all. And I was unfortunately spending most of my clothing budget in suits I needed for work that had me looking like Gillian Anderson’s Dana Scully on the X-Files. RobinF on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407578 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:36:40 +0000 RobinF 2407578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is a fun discussion! Like many others here, I was working and having babies in the 90's and didn't pay much attention to CBK, except to be sorry when they died. I think her style was much too simple for me back then, although I appreciate a simpler style now. And I certainly could not afford that quality or lifestyle. The title "Love Story" threw me because I was thinking of the old movie and book from the 70's. Now I might have to check out this newer story.  Bijou on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407575 Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:52:22 +0000 Bijou 2407575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm with Mary Beth, CBK's look never was for me and given my Theatrical Romantic Kibbe classification, it would be a most unflattering look on me.  That said, I do love the look on others and can see the appeal. LJP on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407565 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:08:31 +0000 LJP 2407565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ One thing that I was in awe of was her ability to look like she wasn't trying too hard, and that nothing was precious.  The clothing wasn't overly designed and tricked out with extraneous details, which is something I also appreciate.  Thanks for contributing your thoughts, everyone! Oh and Sal, The Beast in Me was crazy!  I loved it - not sure my husband agreed though. Neelam Ahooja ( a Cdn fashion writer and influencer) wrote an interesting piece on her Substack about that show and the fashion in it. I would not have appreciated nor recognized Clare Danes' jackets in the show had I not read the piece first.  Cookie on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407562 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 22:01:56 +0000 Cookie 2407562@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mary Beth, you are truly my sister haha. I think what I remember about the hype around her was the idea that she had captured the most desirable man on earth through her superhuman discipline at being a Cool, Unavailable Ice Queen, as I believe Bridget Jones put it. I guess I have a lingering irk around that whole discourse. And her style doesn’t really move me personally. But I take the point about how refreshing it seemed after the 80s. Angie on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407554 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:54:38 +0000 Angie 2407554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LJP, it's great to hear you excited about fashion and style through this TV show! (Haven't watched it yet - and probably will). As a '90s style icon, and with the '90s revival in fashion - the current CBK effect makes sense. I'm with Suz! I hereby crown you Queen Cropped Flares! You wear them with panache, and please carry on :) I vividly remember the hype about CBK style back in the '90s. It was everywhere, across the globe! It helped that she was married to a Kennedy, which put CBK in the limelight from the beginning. And her style shone through naturally! Like Helena said, she was very Calvin Klein and Donna Karen, right when those designers were at their peaks. The planets aligned. Personally, I'm a '60s, '70s and '80s person. The '90s were not my favourite decade, although - of course - I enjoyed parts of it too! I'll let you know what I think of the show. I love a good nostalgia revival! Helena on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407552 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:37:08 +0000 Helena 2407552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry to comment again but I have a lot of thoughts about her hahaha! I agree that she was tall, thin, blonde and beautiful and that is certainly an appeal for many, as well as why she looked so unbelievable in the simplest of outfits. But I disagree that it was the only thing or even the main thing! I think she captured the era really beautifully so the appeal to those clothes was there regardless (I mean, she worked for Calvin Klein which was a massive influence of course), and additionally I think she epitomized 'effortless' in that I don't think she trying to be a fashion icon; if anything she was trying to stay understated under the glare of publicity, and I think that made her style relatable in some way (notwithstanding she obviously had non-relatable resources available). I also challenge the idea that that her look only works on the tall and thin (as Lisa noted also). Just a quick search on tiktok and I found lots of curvy, short, and differently sized women wearing CBK inspired looks and looking gorgeous doing so. Do they look like her? No, of course not. But they *do look wonderful IF the minimal classic look is one's thing. (If it's not, that's a different story of course, and completely understandable - but that's not about body types either). Okay back I go down the rabbit hole of her outfits now :D Thanks Lisa for this interesting topic and conversation! MsMary on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407551 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:41:17 +0000 MsMary 2407551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm another one who was grinding with work and childrearing in the 90s, and CBK was not on my radar. I feel like most of the appeal is that she was very talll, very blonde, and very thin. If I wore that look I fear I'd just kind of disappear. Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407548 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:24:59 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2407548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ CBK's style is something I always admired on her, and something adjacent with Gwyneth Paltrow, but it's never been 'me'.    I am not blonde, tall, willowy, and able to wear things that are 'bra optional'.    And I've never loved the extent of that sort of minimalism.   I love Bach, I love rock music and embroidered flowers and birds on everything.   I love ballet costumes pirate stories, and Valmont, and Mary Blair-for-Disney animation.   None of that is minimalist, and all of these things inform, to some extent, what I put on my body.    CBK style suits many people beautifully, but I am not one of them.   If you put me in a black turtleneck, you are going to see the same level of deep-sighing unhappiness that you would see if you put a turtleneck on a Boston Terrier.   Helena on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407547 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:24:57 +0000 Helena 2407547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ There was definitely fervor about her at the time, at least in my circle ... I followed her closely and copied whatever I possibly could, notwithstanding my significantly inferior budget and looks! She's never left my radar but to Irina's point, she represents the style I love most, so that makes sense. No one is for everyone Irina on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407546 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:19:06 +0000 Irina 2407546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sisi, funny - my own wedding dress was inspired by Lady Diana’s dress as it was “it” dress in mid 80s. I cringe when I remember it :) I love CBK’s wedding dress and how it was styles, to me, it aged gracefully. Horses for courses as Angie would say Sisi on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407544 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:02:40 +0000 Sisi 2407544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I remember not particularly liking Besset's style then, too simple for my taste. I was more maximalist at the time and remember being very disappointed by her wedding dress! Even now, it is too "essential" even for me.  About the current buzz - maybe it is part of the advertising of the fiction?  LJP on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407541 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:25:47 +0000 LJP 2407541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don’t think anyone is suggesting she invented minimalism . She had access to the best clothes of the time and had a very natural beauty ( and apparently charisma ) about her that made her a photographer’s target . I *do* remember the fervor around her at that time . judy on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407538 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:10:48 +0000 judy 2407538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm enjoying the show!  But it's purely a drama of course.  One has to suspend belief.  I think what people appreciated about her then and now, and perhaps hard to copy, is that she seemed to have an innate sense of style and confidence.   Helena on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407534 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:49:04 +0000 Helena 2407534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah got it Carla ... Yes the throughline I can see for sure, although probably every fashion era has its version I would say. It was the term "derivative" I was unsure of, as I didn't think you meant it as I typically hear it used in the context of fashion (somewhat negatively) ... Although there are similarities I wouldn't see CBK as a copycat of Jackie particularly. Thank you for explaining your thinking! Janet on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407533 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:25:25 +0000 Janet 2407533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to admit I’m agreeing a bit with Kkards here. I don’t remember much fervor over her style when she was alive (granted, in the 90s I was preoccupied with work, grad school, live music, and honestly, grieving my dad). I think her style captures a certain element of the 90s, some of which was simply inescapable and representative of the era, not really super unique to her. I think a lot of the mystique comes from the family she married into and the tragic early end to her life. I don’t plan on watching the show, so it’s doubtful I’ll be particularly inspired by the style, but I’m always interested in portrayals of style in TV and film. Irina on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407532 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:22:13 +0000 Irina 2407532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kkards, I think her style was fresh and new for her time, coming at the heels of over the top 80s’ maximalism. It is a picture perfect example of minimalism - simple, precise and not afraid to look boring. Something I certainly admire and find inspiring but without a desire to look like her. I like how pieces of clothing and accessories look together, not too classic, nonchalant but elegant. It is nuanced but not overstyled. <div> <div> </div></div> Jaime on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407529 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:49:51 +0000 Jaime 2407529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yeah, I am sort of more fascinated with the fascination with CBK than I ever was with CBK herself despite having lived in lower Manhattan in the 90s. I do love her Yohji and Prada pieces, and she had great style, but I understood very clearly that her style does not translate without the whole package as kkards just wrote.  kkards on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407524 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:11:34 +0000 kkards 2407524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I fear this comment isn’t going to read quite the way I want it to, and thought about not commenting on this at all, but here goes….. I’m soooo over all the chatter about CBK….first, I think many of the people who are all “I want her style” really mean I want to look like her, not a want to dress like her.  And there is a huge difference. It’s easy to dress like her, but only a few, very specific people can look like her.  her style was very basic and as Carla pointed out, not that unique or even outside of the social circles she ran in.  Second, because unfortunately, she passed at a very young age, we never saw what she would have evolved or matured into.  Would her look have evolved or would it have just gotten stuck/stale. All that being said, as someone who was in her general age group, her style is what I aspired to in my early career days. That easy peasy but put together, you can smell the money look.  What I’ve learned over time, good fabrics, good tailoring will get you part of the way there. Self confidence will help. But ultimately I’ve come to realize I can dress this way, but will never actually achieve this look.  Dee on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407522 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:57:57 +0000 Dee 2407522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think all the interest in CBK' s style is likely a direct result of the quiet luxury trend and of course, the resurgence of some of the 90's minimalism. I was in my "mom" years back in the 90s, and was only vaguely aware of CBK's style presence. Too busy wearing those "mom" jeans and changing diapers to bother much about fashion. While I do appreciate her clean, elegant and refined style, it always struck me as a little too sleek and stark. However, there is a timeless quality to her style that I do admire even if it isn't quite my taste. Carla on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407518 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:53:21 +0000 Carla 2407518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @ Helena - I wrote that. Jacqueline Kennedy and many of the stylish women in her set had a certain minimalist and simple tailored style composed of basic well made and classic elements.  They wore the ‘stealth wealth’ of the time.   <div> </div><div>30 years later, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (and her peers) came on the scene with a similar style.  I don’t know if 60’s fashion was cycling around or if she was adopting the clothing code of her set.  I’ve seen her style choices described as ‘a modern, minimalist evolution of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis’ iconic look.” If you look at photos of Jackie Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette, you can see the through line. @ Irina - same regarding the ‘list’’! :-D </div> Sal on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407517 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:45:13 +0000 Sal 2407517@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wanted Carolyn Besette's wedding dress - luckily the dressmaker pointed me away from it and I ended up with a version of Brooke Shields dress (from when she married Andre Agassi). I am enjoying the 90s style revival more than I thought I would.  I notice I am not very drawn to patterns right now. I am not sure if I will watch the show - I don't know if it is available here now.  Currently watching "The Beast in me" (which has some fashion but not much) and "The Pitt" (which has almost no fashion). Star (Lise) on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407515 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:14:35 +0000 Star (Lise) 2407515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ All the buzz has me totally refocused on Classic Minimalist pieces again, which is more or less the direction my style has been going in recent years already. I actually did make a list of the pieces I own that fit the look. Quite a few can work. I'm looking forward to Spring. I having been doing no/minimal eye makeup for a long time too. Only defined brows and lippie. I must look more closely at pics though. Good thing you saved those pants. I am not a fan of Markle's dressing either. Her look is a bit too prim for my liking. It doesn't have that natural 'looseness' of CBK IYKWIM. Oh and I have not seen the movie and probably won't. LJP on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407512 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 03:28:54 +0000 LJP 2407512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ah of course , I forget Markle has /had ? a royal title . I do agree , Irina , that it is exploitative . And she ( Carolyn ) wasn’t alive long enough to be considered a style icon - but it’s capturing something that many of us didn’t realize we wanted again . Elegance , clean style , a time before social media influencers etc. And I know that one doesn’t need to be tall and thin to wear certain clothes : it’s more about proportion and fit and all those things we “should “ consider . I was ruined long ago for being so enlightened ;). I lack the natural elegance is maybe a better phrase . Helena on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407508 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:09:20 +0000 Helena 2407508@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ CBL fan here, no surprise given my love for 90s minimalism! Not sure what you mean by Jackie K etc did it first and CBK was derivative ... Can you explain further? Thanks Suz on "The CBK effect ." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cbk-effect#post-2407507 Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:06:40 +0000 Suz 2407507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ LIsa, I won't watch the show, but you wear a cropped kick flare better than anybody I have ever seen. I think it should always be in your style rotation!  I love the look but it doesn't love me back -- short calves. However, I wouldn't refuse a trial run of a new pair if they are really cycling back in -- I'd try to find a new version that worked better for me.