The CBK effect . - YouLookFab Forum

Are you watching Love Story on FX? I haven't started it yet - quite honestly, I have a very rudimentary level of competence with our tv so I need to get my DH to get it set up for me. I can find Apple Fitness, NHL games (but now I'm sick of the NHL and our President- loving goalie in particular ) , and that's about it . There's no way DH is interested in this so it will be watched on my own time , lol.

Anyways, when the first test wardrobe shots were released, I cringed and there was no way I was going to watch what looked like a fashion hot mess. But , I gather the show runner got the message, so to speak and has fixed that part up. The actors still don't do it for me - especially her- , but I'll need to watch to see how it all came together.

I admit to being a fan of CBK's style and only dreamed of having a body and hair like hers that seemed necessary to dress the way she did. I bought Sunita Nair's book about her when it was first released and have pored over it a few times. I love the photography and the style analysis . I will also admit all of the current buzz about CBK has renewed my interest in one of my favourite items: the cropped flared jean/pant. As recently as last summer, I felt over the whole look. I had worn it for years and years, but silhouettes had changed a lot in recent years and I bought into the wide and baggy, and barrel silhouettes. I fortunately didn't get rid of my kick flare jeans and pants (thank god, as I'm usually a crazy declutter-er) and cannot wait to wear them again . I even ordered two more pair of flare jeans in a shorter length ;). It looks so fresh and modern to my eye, which was accustomed to the long and loose and barrel silhouettes, which to be honest, don't look that great on me.

I wish I could do the white shirt or black turtleneck look with jeans, but I don't share that same lanky tall physique which makes those looks work. I do feel influenced/excited by flat sandals, loafers , quality statement jewellery, and this sort of classic look . Kind of excited to see where it leads me. Calvin Klein forever ! Even her makeup has me interested in changing things up : no eye makeup and a blotted darker lip.

Thoughts about Bessette - Kennedy and the current buzz ?

6 hours ago

Carla

Veteran

Jackie, her sisters, and her SIL’s did it first. (Lot’s of photos online) and CBK was derivative.I’ve always loved late ‘50’s and early ‘60’s women’s fashions.

Have you ever watched ‘Hidden Figures’? A fabulous movie and fashion TDF from that era. Back to your question. I’m sure the movie will inspire some folks to that style of dressing. They may use the movie styling as a jumping off point - or study CBK’s photos. FWIW, the style is a lot like those ‘10 things every woman should own’ lists.

I believe the DOS (Meghan Markle) does a riff on this genre. I also think it’s achievable for any size/shape of woman. I think you could easily carry off cropped flares with patch pockets, flat sandals and a sleeveless turtleneck. I bet you could wear a waist-belted - above the knee trench too.

#1 Jackie Kennedy
#2 Lee Radziwell
#2 CBK and Lee

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4 hours ago

LJP

What is DOS?

And yes , Jackie and her sister ( and other well - photographed women of that era ) did it first. You’re absolutely right . Those looks from the 60’s and early 70’s were great -as was that movie although I don’t remember it for the fashion . I do NOT want to dress like Meghan Markle . She wears the most ill-fitting clothing I’ve ever seen . lol.

DOS = Duchess of Sussex (Meghan Markle)

Irina

Yes, I loved her style before it became a recent thing. It is not a trend for me, it feels close to my personal taste - minimal and simple.

I don’t have tall and lanky body of 30-something years old but it never stopped me before A black turtleneck and white shirts have been a part of my wardrobe for years. I’m looking to add a more classic, 90s style pair of jeans. My purchase from Aritzia might be it or not, don’t know yet.

I’m not going to see Love Story on tv, sorry but I just find it somewhat exploitative (is it a word?). Simply, I would and did watch a documentary but not a movie, if it makes sense.

Carla, I laugh about “10 things a woman should own “ because I probably do own them!

3 hours ago

Suz

(website)

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.

Helena

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

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 .

2 hours ago

Star (Lise)

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.

1 hour ago

Sal

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).

@ 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.

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’’!

55 minutes ago

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