How to Thrift 90's Minimalism

With the release of FX's new limited series, Love Story, which tells the story of the late JFK Jr. and his highly publicized relationship and marriage to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, comes the renewed interest in 90's minimalist fashion, an aesthetic Carolyn has been famously associated with.

The show's first episode aired mid-February and already, fans of the show are flocking to social media to express their admiration of how Sarah Pidgeon, who plays Carolyn, is expertly styled to reflect Carolyn's timeless looks. The "it-girls" of social media, the influencers we follow to keep up on new trends, are starting to echo these looks, their wardrobe closely reflecting Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Kate Moss, Jennifer Aniston, and other celebrities who pioneered 90's minimalism.

So what does 90's minimalism look like? What pieces should you look for? Can they be thrifted?

The answer to the latter question is YES, you CAN thrift this wardrobe! Below is a list of pieces that are essential to mastering this style and are easy to find at a secondhand store near you.

90's Minimalism Wardrobe Essentials to Thrift:

Color palette: White, black, gray, tans, neutrals

Characteristics: Sleek, versatile, staple items

Straight-leg jeans: blue or black are your go-to washes
Turtlenecks: long-sleeve turtlenecks are great but sleeveless ruled this era, and you can almost always find these at the thrift
White button-downs: an absolute essential! Carolyn was kinda known for these; button-downs in other colors are great, too
Slip dresses: if you go often enough, you will definitely find one of these at the thrift, and they usually fall within the color scheme we're aiming for
Leather jackets: these pair so well with everything and they are quite popular at secondhand stores
V-neck sweaters: these are great to layer on top of a white tee
Mid-length skirts: You'll probably see more black skirts at the thrift, but brown and tan skirts are also great to look for
Trench coats: These are so versatile and make any outfit look elevated, they also get donated quite often to secondhand stores
Blazers: black blazers go with everything and will elevate your fit nicely, especially if they're slightly oversized

Look out for these items the next time you visit the thrift! They may be simple, but we guarantee they'll make you look chic and sophisticated like the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

If you're in Ames, come visit Overflow at any of our three thrift store locations six days a week!

We hope to see you soon.

Mari Russo, Marketing Coordinator at Overflow Thrift Store