Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s Best Black-Tie Moment Can Be Recreated With This Off-the-Shoulder Top and Satin Skirt — And For Less Than $150

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To the dismay of ’90s paparazzi, only a handful of photos — and just two fleeting, alluring 10-second video clips — exist of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy during her marriage to JFK Jr., a scarcity that has only fueled the enduring mythologizing of the inarguably chic fashion publicist.

For someone so averse to press and self-publicity, it’s especially striking how enduring Ms. Kennedy’s influence has been in the years since her tragic death. Her minimalist aesthetic is enjoying a renewed spotlight amid FX’s “Love Story,” which stars Sarah Pidgeon and Paul Kelly as the New York “It” couple. While their off-duty looks — her in sleek sunglasses and headbands, him in quirky hats and board shorts — tend to dominate moodboards, their more formal appearances serve as timeless inspiration for black-tie dressing.

One of her most memorable looks was at the Municipal Art Society Gala held in 1998 in New York City. For the high-profile event, celebrating the revitalization of Grand Central Terminal, she wore a strapless black column gown paired with long opera-length velvet gloves and simple heels. While there’s no definitive designer credit in most press archives for this specific dress, her evening gowns from this era were often custom pieces or from designers she favored, like Yohji Yamamoto or other minimalist designers she championed (she famously didn’t always wear big couture labels).

Unlike her iconic Selima Optique Aldo sunglasses, this exact evening gown isn’t still available to shop online. But there are plenty of affordable brands that offer pieces to recreate the black-tie ensemble. One such retailer is the Canada-based clothing company Dynamite, whose off-the-shoulder long-sleeve top ($44.95) and satin maxi skirt ($79.95) can be paired together to create that effortlessly sophisticated Bessette-Kennedy look.

If you prefer a dress, rather than a two-piece, you can go for this satin midi dress from Quince (currently 53% off), this versatile knit dress from Reformation or this stunning maxi dress from Vince (50% off). We have a feeling CBK woud be a fan of these darling mules from the emerging footwear brand Lukasheva, too.

Shop a few of the best pieces to recreate Bessette Kennedy’s black-tie moment below: