By: Abby Allen

   A few weeks ago, a new show was released on Hulu; Love Story; Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and JFK Jr. The show, directed by Max Winkler, is inspiring young women and girls today in the fashion world. Videos online have started using CBK (abrv. for Carolyn Bessette Kennedy) as a term to describe a return of a simplistic, low color style. These looks, brought back by the Kennedys in the short, are very important in modern fashion culture at the moment. How could this affect the fashion and trends at MRHS?

     The Kennedy legacy is equivalent to the British royal family in the United States, in fashion and in politics. CBK wasn’t the first Kennedy to be a trend setter. Her predecessor, Jackie Kennedy, also set the tone in the 1960s. Jackie invented the clean, elegant, neat aesthetic, wearing Chanel Suits, tweed, and pillbox hats. Her pastel colors and white house outfits made headlines in fashion magazines at the time. However, Carolyn wasn’t just another trendsetter, which is why her style going viral is so interesting. Carolyn was an avid encourager of personal style, fashion as an expression, and not as a copy and paste method. 

   Another aspect of this style blowing up, as many have pointed out, is that her style isn’t anything  too different from the general feminine look of the 90’s. The style is very minimalistic, a form of fashion that can be seen from a plethora of designers at the time. The style is seen in supermodel Kate Moss, Drew Barrymore, and even Jennifer Aniston. The marvel of these looks is that they’re timeless. The jeans, tees, tanks, blouses, and coats are all things that have not aged since the 90’s. The internet is so fascinated by this specific form of 90’s fashion because of the affordable logo-less outfits that the average person is able to recreate, and even are worn today and labeled as chic.

  These trends may not be as regular as they seem. The velocity and the strength of each of these trends is dangerous. Trends aren’t simply a two week period where social media is flooded with many sporting the same look, but also a two week period of increased sales on ‘viral’ items, and consequentially, when the next trend emerges, a landfill full of these clothes. 

   CBK reused her older looks; as she refused to conform to the idea of wearing outfits once. Carolyn would likely resent her style becoming a trend, as that is the very thing she tried to avoid. Social media and brands make avoiding falling victim to trendy looks hard, but when shopping, buyers should keep in mind one’s own fashion. Each individual is entitled to personal fashion opinions, and unique style, which is why shopping is not just a hobby, but also highly impactful on the environment negatively, and financial aspects of big fashion brands. Clothing is an expression of one’s personality, opinions, and feelings. 

   At MRHS, fashion is used as expression, and conformity. When looking around the school, one can see each trend from the last year, or even the last two years. Parke mocknecks, cheetah print, jorts, and other Tiktok-made famous pieces are worn daily. The unfortunate truth is that the nature of these tops and pants is that in a year or two they will be found in thrift stores, as the new clothing is made popular. There may be a challenge in finding a teenager who’s style really is a demonstration of who they are. Thus creating the impactful importance of Carolyn’s style, and restoration of relevance and admiration. 

   Clothing shouldn’t be because of virality, or others opinions. Outfits should be worn as personal style. Even further than personal style, fashion should be mindful. Looking classy, and buying clothing that can be used in multiple outfits is more important than ever to protect the earth, and the environment. There is 92 million tons of textile waste annually. Clothing isn’t  disposable, and many brands use unethical fabrics that don’t decompose as fast over time.

   If Carolyn can influence anything, hopefully she influences younger generations to start shopping for not just the present viral looks, but for more than one occasion, for themselves, and for the future.