Carolyn Bessette Kennedy looked her best in a pair of jeans. The ‘90s icon knew what shapes and colors worked for her, and honestly, her relaxed yet tailored picks can accentuate anyone’s figure. The straight and bootleg cuts of the era were designed to slim your legs and make them look miles long — a fact that CBK knew and embraced. We could all take a few denim styling notes from Carolyn, which is why we found 12 jeans that would definitely earn her stamp of approval. Get ready to look and feel your best in the following denim picks.
’90s Denim Looks Inspired by Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
1. The Exact Pair: CBK was known to wear Levi’s, so you can completely replicate her look with the iconic ‘90s 501 style.
2. Comfy Pair: Stretch denim wasn’t a thing in the ‘90s, but if you can’t bear to slip into rigid jeans, Spanx recreated the era’s straight leg silhouette with a waist designed with a bit of give and tummy-control capabilities.
3. The Most Flattering: Fit and flare bootcut styles inherently slim your profile, creating the illusion that your legs look model-long and slimmer. The medium wash on this Madewell pair was a ‘90s staple.
4. Nearly Black: For nights spent out on the town, deep-wash jeans reign supreme. This style is such a dark indigo hue that it could pass as black.
5. The Summer Fit: When CBK was gallivanting around Hyannis, she made sure to pack cropped denim, similar to this silhouette from Good American.
Taylor Swift’s Vintage ’90s Jeans Are Having a Moment — Nail the Look
6. Flare for All: Flared jeans can be tricky (many styles are extra long). However, Quince’s Luna jeans are customizable. Choose between a 30 or 32-inch inseam for the perfect fit.
7. CBK Would Love: I’m sure CBK would’ve loved these summer-ready wide-legged jeans from Quince because they’re incredibly comfy.
8. What a Steal: We can hardly believe this relaxed denim is under $30. The baggy style is super casual, comfy and feels surprisingly durable.
9. Little Secret: On the days when you can’t bring yourself to wear jeans, this pull-on pair saves the day. No one will be able to tell they’re made of a leggings-like material.
10. From the Office…to happy hour! This figure-flattering flare silhouette hugs you in all the right places and can easily be dressed up or down, so you can wear it literally everywhere.
11. Summertime Denim: CBK’s color palette was simple: Black, white, blue and tan. These white jeans fit perfectly in with her style and are ideal for those breezy summer evenings.
12. Patch it Up: Simple patchwork pockets are a little design feature that instantly enlivens your average pair of jeans. The functional ones in this style are large enough to comfortably fit your phone.
13 Pieces to Nail Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Effortless ’90s Style
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
