After two decades of inspiration from CBK, Lee Radziwill remains my timeless style icon.

      Monica Ainley serves as the Who What Wear UK Editor in Residence and is a fashion and culture writer and broadcaster based in Paris. She co-created the influential podcast Fashion: No Filter and the culture podcast Fanfare. Monica also writes Mon Review, a weekly newsletter focusing on aesthetics, literature, and contemporary rituals. I must admit, my style has been quietly influenced—I'd say to the extent of cutting out magazine pictures and taping them to my wall—by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy for nearly twenty years. My mother has likely been influenced too, now that I consider it.

      It's not exactly a secret; if you had asked, I would have pointed out that CBK is the ideal figure to envision when you're pressed for time and unsure of what to wear. I don't believe I'm cooler than the Gen Z crowd that’s currently "discovering" her. I'm simply older! And so is my mum.

      It can be a bit irritating when everyone suddenly jumps on a trend you feel you had ownership of, right? Even if you didn’t really have any particular claim to it in the first place. Like… I don’t know, Substack… or the Brontë sisters. Suddenly, you find yourself as basic as anyone else. But do you know who I've recently turned to for casual outfit inspiration? Lee Radziwill. Who? Carolyn's aunt by marriage. What? Jackie Kennedy’s sister. Yes, her. Or if you follow Bravo: Carole Radziwill’s mother-in-law.

      Naturally, this isn’t exactly an obscure or unheard-of style reference. Lee Radziwill was an American socialite, public relations executive, and essentially a fashion influencer long before the term existed. She mingled in exclusive international circles, eventually marrying Polish aristocrat Prince Stanislaw Radziwill. However, what she is primarily known for is her exquisite taste—not just in fashion but also in her interiors; she had an outstanding eye for decor. Lee’s influence on 20th-century style is unmistakable.

      Fans of Love Story may have noticed Lee’s mention in Ryan Murphy’s series, although she wasn’t actually depicted. I think this was a significant oversight on the show's part, especially considering its focus on aesthetics. Additionally, despite living to 85, Lee sadly fell victim to the Kennedy curse, which you might have observed while watching the show if you understand the family connections. Tragically, Lee’s son Anthony (JFK Jr.’s cousin and best friend) passed away from cancer at the age of 40, just a month after the accident that took John and Carolyn's lives.

      Let’s turn back to more joyful times and fabulous fashion. I’m not saying Lee’s style surpassed Carolyn’s—they’re different—but Lee’s was broader simply because she had a longer life. CBK’s legacy is unfortunately frozen in time, whereas Radziwill’s evolution can be viewed over decades. At a certain point, you need outfit inspiration that grows with you.

      What’s fascinating about Lee Radziwill is that she lived her life alongside her sister rather than merely in her shadow. They were said to be close, though quite competitive (I’m focusing on the wardrobe, not necessarily their personalities; behind-the-scenes dynamics are always a mystery, right?). Nevertheless, I believe that looking back, Lee’s style seems bolder. Jackie Kennedy Onassis honed a specific brand of polish—especially from the 70s to the 90s—while Lee’s life afforded her more freedom to take risks, and she certainly did.

      She was present at fashion week, dinners, and lively parties well into her later years. I recall working at a fashion office in my early twenties, and my bosses would excitedly whisper about Lee Radziwill attending various shows. Even in her final days, she was seen enjoying charming dinners at Le Voltaire in Paris—definitely a goal to aspire to.

      Her style appeared effortless, but it must have been meticulously curated. She favored clean lines, beautifully blended color palettes with a pop of bold hues, and had a talent for making even the most luxurious fabrics seem casual. Often dressed by Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent, she never appeared to belong to anyone but herself. And that’s the essential point.

      Armani once remarked that her chic was “never forced,” while Diana Vreeland characterized Lee’s elegance as a “refusal”—meaning she knew what to avoid wearing. While Jackie inclined toward overt glamour and Carolyn adhered to strict 90s minimalism (let’s clarify who was the true pioneer of “quiet luxury”), Lee’s style exuded more joie de vivre than Carolyn’s and was, often, just cooler than Jackie’s. I mean, those jackets! That kind of confidence, the truly discerning kind, is cultivated over a long and colorful life, and it’s exactly how I aspire to dress as I grow older. Especially when I’m, well, quite advanced in