I first noticed Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in her wedding photo. I wasn’t one to follow New York society in the 1990s, but I saw a photo of her in a Narciso Rodriguez dress, strolling out of the First African Baptist Church on Cumberland Island, Georgia, with John F. Kennedy Jr. kissing her hand. It was September 21, 1996.
Her dress was simple, unadorned, elegant, and different from any wedding dress I had seen. The more I learned about her, the more I appreciated her style, which was minimal but never boring. What drew me to her the most was her lack of concern for what was “in style” and her confidence in wearing what she liked, the way she liked, no matter who was watching.
She died less than three years later, along with her husband, in that infamous plane crash, but her style stature lives on, and perhaps increases each year. Her white shirt for formal events, strappy sandals, skirt-and-boots combinations, and of course, her slip-style wedding dress, are still emulated, but never quite duplicated, today.
Our Style issue showcases many people who have gained confidence in their own personal style. We take a deep dive on denim with fashion expert Ashley Brister, who preaches that there is no single style or trend to follow, and that people of all sizes, ages, and shapes can find the perfect statement-making denim look.
We profile Tajh Boyd, a football star who is not afraid to dress the part. We also rounded up a few gameday looks as we head out to tailgate and cheer for our favorite teams. There are numerous shops around town that allow fans to support their team in their own style.
Katie Fenske is a jewelry designer who can help you accent your outfits with an artistic accessory or two. We even showcase stylish dogs and cats, with four-legged models from the Humane Society of Greenville adorably showing off one-of-a-kind collars from Paw Paws.
There’s so much more to explore, so dig in. I’ll never pretend to be a style icon, but the people in these pages—and of course, Carolyn—remind me that wearing what feels right, with confidence, is always a good look.
Five items from this issue that I’ll be checking out this fall
- Jennifer Aniston Salad from the new Good to Go location in Simpsonville
- Madewell in downtown Greenville will take my old jeans and give me $20 off a new pair
- Leaf peeping at Everything Outdoor Fest, Nov. 2–3
- I love Hampton Pinkney Porchfest, coming up Oct. 20
- While I’m there, I’ll be sure to check out the J.M. Greer House, Greenville’s classic Queen Anne Victorian
