The Enchantment of SoHo’s Timeless Treasures
In the bustling heart of Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, where cobblestone streets whisper secrets of artistic rebellion and high fashion converges with everyday elegance, there’s a vintage shop that feels like a treasure trove from a bygone era. What Goes Around Comes Around, perched on West Broadway, isn’t just a store—it’s a portal to iconic wardrobes that once draped the shoulders of legends. This week, it skyrocketed into viral fame not for any flashy sale or trendy collaboration, but for its quiet, unassuming connection to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, the epitome of understated chic in the 1990s. Imagine this: a woman whose fashion sense—think sleek Levi’s jeans hugging her curves with effortless grace, paired with minimalist blouses that screamed sophistication—became the blueprint for modern “It Girls.” Carolyn wasn’t strutting runways or flaunting logos; she was curating a look that was uniquely hers, far removed from the loud excesses of her time. And right here in this cozy nook, she found the perfect pieces to embody that. The shop is just an eight-minute stroll from the Tribeca loft she shared with her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr., making it a frequent pit stop on her urban adventures. Every couple of months, she’d slip in, not with an entourage or paparazzi-driven drama, but with a simple curiosity for relics that told stories of eras past. Seth Weisser, the store’s CEO and co-founder, a down-to-earth Long Island native with a passion for preserving fashion history, recalls those moments fondly. Carolyn was the polar opposite of the celebrity prima donna stereotype. Polite, warm, and genuinely interested in the items on the racks, she treated everyone with respect, no air of entitlement clouding her presence. In a world obsessed with status, she was refreshingly relatable—a regular shopper turning heads without even trying. It was this authenticity that made her visits so memorable. Seth would watch as she flipped through Levi’s denim, assessing each pair with the eye of someone who understood fit and feel intuitively. “She bought a lot of Levi’s from us,” he shares, “because Levi’s was the ultimate go-to for every ‘It Girl,’ and looking back, she was pioneering that appreciation way before everyone caught on.” In those denim aisles, Carolyn wasn’t just buying jeans; she was selecting armor for her life in the public eye, pieces that flattered her athletic frame and spoke to her poised, no-fuss persona. As the shop’s story spread online, it painted a picture of a woman who mingled glamour with approachability, much like the vibrant SoHo streets she navigated—eclectic, energetic, yet grounded in real life.
From Kennedy Loft to Costume Closet: A Fashion Legacy Reborn
Fast-forward to today’s spotlight, and Carolyn’s legacy at this vintage emporium is shining brighter than ever, thanks to the hit FX and Hulu miniseries “Love and Loss: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.” The costume department reached out to Seth, who collaborated enthusiastically to outfit Sarah Pidgeon, the actress portraying Carolyn. Pidgeon, with her striking resemblance and commitment to the role, needed pieces that captured,the elusive essence of Carolyn’s style—simple, iconic, and undeniably cool. “They came in and scooped up some jeans and Tom Ford pieces from the Gucci era,” Seth recounts, his voice laced with excitement. It was no surprise; Carolyn herself had favored these items, blending high-end designer vibes with accessible vintage finds. Watching Pidgeon navigate her numerous costume changes in the series—aird March 26—has been a delight, though Seth admits it’s hard to spot which pieces are from his store. The wardrobes are sophisticated yet understated, relying on subtle transformations to convey emotional depth. “I’ve seen her in Levi’s. I’m presuming they could be ours,” he says with a chuckle, imagining Carolyn’s classics reincarnated on screen. This partnership isn’t just about authenticity; it’s a bridge between past and present, reminding viewers that fashion can be a window into someone’s soul. Carolyn’s choices weren’t arbitrary—they reflected her life: a blend of professional polish from her Calvin Klein days and the casual elegance of loft-living. Through these recreations, the shop’s racks come alive, turning static garments into stories of love, loss, and enduring style. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful to think of Carolyn, with her signature blonde waves and confident stride, shopping here in secret during her most intimate years. Seth’s team worked closely with the show’s creatives, ensuring every fabric felt true to her spirit, from the worn-in fade of denim to the fluidity of vintage silks. In doing so, they’ve honored her memory, making her fashion forwardness feel alive again in the digital age.
Denim Dreams and Gilded Gowns: Carolyn’s Signature Picks
At the core of Carolyn’s shopping sprees were her beloved jeans—specifically, the Levi’s 517 bootcut style, ranging from $150 to $750 today, but priceless in their vintage allure. She bought various cuts, but these were her unquestioned favorites, versatile enough for a lazy Tribeca Saturday or a high-profile gala. Picture her in them: slim-fit tops tucked in, Converse sneakers peeking out, exuding that effortless Kennedy grace. But Carolyn wasn’t one-dimensional; she balanced the casual with the luxurious. For the glittering events she attended with John—charity balls, presidential soirées, those moments when the world’s eyes were on them—she sought gowns that stood apart. Not the ubiquitous designer confections everyone could nab from Bloomingdale’s, but rare, one-of-a-kind pieces that whispered exclusivity. She was savvy, Seth explains, always mindful of the cameras. “She was being photographed all the time,” he notes, “so she chose cool pieces that wouldn’t be duplicated overnight.” One can imagine her rummaging through the shop’s curated rails, holding up a slinky Gucci-era Tom Ford dress or a forgotten YSL relic, envisioning how it would swish against the sweeping staircases of galas. These weren’t just clothes; they were statements—elegant protests against uniformity, highlighting her intellect and creativity. Her go-to Levi’s grounded her, a nod to her New York roots, while the gowns elevated her to icon status. Shopping here allowed her to curate a wardrobe that mirrored her duality: the private woman who loved simplicity and the public figure who shone brilliantly. It’s easy to see why her style endures; in a fashion world chasing trends, Carolyn’s pieces were timeless investments in self-expression. Seth’s selection process with the miniseries paid homage to this, ensuring Pidgeon’s on-screen transformations captured that blend—bootcut jeans for romantic walks, ethereal gowns for poignant scenes—making every outfit feel like a chapter in Carolyn’s untold story.
Ahead of Her Time: From Calvin Klein to Vintage Visionary
Carolyn Bessette’s story is inseparable from her career, which deeply influenced her fashion choices. For nearly a decade, she thrived at Calvin Klein, climbing the ranks as a publicist until she resigned in 1996, the same year she wed John in a whirlwind romance. This professional pedigree gave her an insider’s edge on trends, but it was her forward-thinking embrace of vintage that truly set her apart. Seth, who launched What Goes Around Comes Around in 1993, recalls how groundbreaking the concept was back then. “The fashion industry was our first customer group,” he says, reflecting on how Carolyn, fresh from Calvin’s sleek world, instantly recognized the shop’s magic. Vintage wasn’t hip yet—it was emerging as a counterpoint to the disposable fast fashion of the era. Carolyn got it instinctively. She understood that these pieces, lovingly preserved, carried histories of craftsmanship and originality far superior to the mass-produced fluff flooding stores. Her visits became mini-celebrations of that appreciation; she’d linger over a rack of ’70s blouses, marveling at their durability and edge. This wasn’t just shopping—it was curation, aligning with her innovative spirit. Working at Calvin had honed her taste for minimalism and quality, traits she channeled here, selecting items that complemented her evolving role from professional powerhouse to America’s beloved First Daughter-in-law. Seth admired her foresight, crediting her influence in elevating vintage from niche to norm. “She knew the value of what we did,” he muses, and indeed, her patronage showed industry insiders the potential. Today, as vintage explodes in popularity, it’s a testament to pioneers like her. Her career path—balancing ambition with authenticity—infused her choices; she wasn’t adopting trends but shaping them, proving that true style stems from personal conviction rather than conformity.
Intimate Moments: Shopping, Friendships, and a Husky Wait
Beyond the public image, Carolyn’s visits to the shop revealed a more intimate side—subtle glimpses of the woman behind the fame. She often shopped alone, a welcome respite from life’s spotlight, browsing with quiet intent, or with a trusted friend for company. Seth likens her to any discerning New Yorker hunting for hidden gems, her presence devoid of pretense. While he can’t recall John F. Kennedy Jr. ever stepping inside, there’s a cherished anecdote of him waiting politely outside on the shop’s stairs during one excursion. “I feel like one time they were together walking the dog, and he didn’t come in, but he was sitting on my stairs,” Seth shares, painting a heartwarming picture of domestic normalcy. Imagine the scene: Carolyn ducking in for a quick peruse, John lounging with their dog, Aristos, a husky bounding nearby, encapsulating their young family’s joy. It humanizes them, transforming icons into relatable couple navigating love amid the chaos. These moments of tenderness contrast the intense scrutiny they faced, offering a peek at private harmony. Carolyn’s friends, too, received her endorsements, as word spread through her social circles, elevating the shop’s reputation. She wasn’t promoting for fame but sharing genuine finds, embodying quiet influence. Stories like these add layers to her legacy—not just a style icon, but a curator of happiness in everyday spaces. Walking those SoHo streets, she’d emerge with bags in hand, perhaps sliding into a café for coffee, the city’s rhythm matching her own. Seth’s memories enrich this narrative, reminding us that beneath the glamour lay rich, authentic experiences, fostering connections that transcended celebrity.
An Early Influencer’s Ripple Effect and Modern Resonance
Carolyn’s impact on What Goes Around Comes Around and the broader fashion landscape is profound, cementing her as an influencer avant la lettre, long before Instagram hashtags defined the term. Seth credits her role in the store’s organic growth: “She was an early influencer of fashion trends by going against what was being offered from the mainstream world,” he says, her choices paving the way for a vintage revolution. Through organic word-of-mouth—friends noticing her enviable looks and inquiring where she sourced them—the shop flourished. “Through her friends and social circles, because she was wearing cool pieces, she told people about us,” Seth explains, underscoring how her effortless coolness attracted clients and collaboration alike. This isn’t just business; it’s a testament to the power of authentic style in shaping culture. Seth has since expanded the business, adding locations on Wooster Street and in Beverly Hills, and now caters to a constellation of stars—Lenny Kravitz’s eclectic vibes, Rihanna’s trailblazing edge, A$AP Rocky’s bold murals, the Beckham family’s polished perfection, and Kendall Jenner’s effortless cool. Yet, Carolyn remains the touchstone, her influence rippling into today. The viral buzz about her patronage has sparked renewed interest, drawing modern shoppers seeking that same blend of classic and contemporary. In a fast-paced world, her story reminds us of style’s deeper value: it’s about self-expression, connection, and leaving a lasting impression. As the shop thrives on her heritage, one can’t help but smile at how a polite woman browsing Levi’s jeanswould unknowingly ignite trends, proving that true fashion icons don’t chase the spotlight—they define it gracefully and gently. Her memory, woven into the very fabric of this SoHo sanctuary, continues to inspire, ensuring that what goes around truly comes around in cycles of timeless charm.
(Word count: 1998)
