As Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette came to a close last night, the limited FX series—celebrated for its production, storyline, and ensemble cast—has consistently made it clear from the start that fashion would be one of its most important storytelling elements. When on-set paparazzi shots initially broke, the Internet debated everything from the color of actress Sarah Pidgeon’s hair to the wardrobe choices, so when a last-minute change brought costume designer Rudy Mance to helm the project, we were curious to see which iconic looks and references would make the final cut and be brought back to life throughout the show.
The Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Style Checklist
Since Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy has been an enduring style icon since the ’90s, her fashion legacy was most important to protect. From the very beginning, we saw that Mance did the research, pulling from archives and personal collectsions to outfit the character of Carolyn, directly referencing many of the pieces that made Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe uniquely hers. We quickly spotted core signatures throughout each episode, those quintessential to her personal style: From the minimalist-coded separates worn for off-duty outings or days at the Calvin Klein office, to slinky evening wear (always in black) within the many party moments, we’ve gone scene by scene to dissect the ready-to-wear and accessories worn throughout the show—plus, the real life looks that might have inspired them.
Now that the finale has premiered, recreate the entire wardrobe yourself. Ahead, shop the outfits inspired by the Love Story costumes and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s closet.
Tried-and-Trues
The finale begins with Pidgeon’s character in a simple ready-to-wear formula that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy often repeated, consisting of a black top, blue bootcut jeans, and leather loafers—plus, one of her most infamous accessories: the tortoise headband. When Bessette-Kennedy discovered something she truly loved, she turned it a signature—like her Aldo frames from Selima Optique. Later, Pidgeon’s character adds a black car coat overtop—a polished finishing touch, especially as we start to transition our outfits to spring.
Coat-As-Outfit Layering
While attending the Newman’s Own George Awards in May 1999, Bessette-Kennedy wore a Yohji Yamamoto ensemble, expertly sourced by Mance for the final episode. Marking one of the final public appearances the couple made together, the look featured a ruffled two-tone coat atop black bootcut trousers—we love the outerwear-as-outfit approach for evening. Bessette-Kennedy also frequently turned to her black Comme des Garçons zippered pouch as an evening bag, plus strappy heeled sandals, bringing the whole look together with understated elegance.
Poplin Shirting
For a casual outing with sister Lauren (played by Sydney Lemmon) at Bubby’s, Pidgeon’s character kept it effortless in a crisp white button-down. Poplin shirting was a cornerstone of Bessette-Kennedy’s off-duty wardrobe, often styled in oversized fits alongside her mainstay denim, khaki trousers, and even dressed up with skirts for evening occasions. Capture the feeling of this look by topping off with a leather blazer, plus a few discreet accessories.
Date Night, Revisited
Just before the final scene, the couple reunites for dinner at the same restaurant where they had their first date—Panna II in the East Village, as depicted in the series. Pidgeon’s character is dressed in a black tailored coat, a scoop-neck tank top, and the same bootcut denim we’ve seen time and again throughout the series. Heeled leather loafers, a roomy tote, and her striking sapphire-and-diamond engagement band are the quiet luxury touches that defined Bessette-Kennedy’s unmistakable style in everyday life.
Everyday Essentials
Episode eight gives us a peek at core wardrobe building blocks for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. A black sleeveless turtleneck, cropped bootcut jeans, and a Cartier watch were the fundamentals she often turned to—a simple formula that was even photographed post-nuptials, while walking Friday in the neighborhood one sunny October day. Complete the look with similar block-heeled sandals (she loved the strappy Prada pair that she also wore while on her honeymoon), a hardworking tote bag, and of course, oval-framed sunglasses.
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The Post-Nuptials Appearance
For their first appearance as a wedded couple, Carolyn and John were photographed outside their Tribeca home. Mance recreated the look flawlessly, costuming Pidgeon in the same V-neck sweater in black, camel pencil skirt (hers was from Prada), and brown leather knee-high boots that Bessette-Kennedy wore. The iconic look incorporates her signature neutral palette, alongside the simple silhouettes she often wore. Carrying a structured tote (again from Prada), you could also add the iconic tortoise shell headband (from the Greenwich Village apothecary C.O. Bigelow) into the mix—she always kept things very minimal, especially in the accessories department.
Honeymoon Bliss
Carolyn and John return to New York after a two-week-long honeymoon in Turkey, with Pidgeon’s character donning another look plucked from real life—a holiday ensemble that Bessette-Kennedy was seen in, while wandering the streets of Istanbul. Wearing a scoop-neck top in white, bootcut denim, and a loose blazer, this off-duty look remained true to her usual city staples. However, for a Mediterranean spin, she complemented them with block-heeled sandals, a blue triangle headscarf, and her signature oval frames. It’s an easy transitional look that feels current, especially as we start incorporating warm-weather elements into our own wardrobes now.
Dinner Party Flair
A party at Caroline Kennedy’s apartment that welcomed the married couple back to New York, offered viewers the chance to see the Yohji Yamamoto suit that Bessette-Kennedy wore to a Robin Hood Foundation event at The Armory in 1998. She paired the collarless tailored jacket in black, adorned with button detailing, with an off-white pencil skirt in a lightweight material—and Mance did the same. Mixing two very different textures together at once is not only a smart idea for getting the most out of matching sets in new ways, but it also offers a fresh spin that makes any outfit feel more dynamic and interesting.
Soft Suiting
Carolyn was a true Yohji Yamamoto collectsor, a designer we saw her wearing more and more, after her wedding and departure from Calvin Klein. For a gala at the Guggenheim, Pidgeon’s character arrived wearing a highly publicized blazer dress from the Japanese designer. Throughout Carolyn’s public appearances, she often played with riffs on suiting for evening, either with a soft dress like this, or mixed-matched tailored separates that created a pseudo-skirt suit. A softly structured blazer and fluid silky skirt nod to the architectural minimalism of Yamamoto’s designs and the understated elegance that defined Carolyn’s eveningwear collectsion.
Casual Chic
For a meeting at Ralph Lauren, Pidgeon’s character dons an all-too familiar look, pulled from one of Bessette-Kennedy’s best real-life style moments. We instantly recognized the Prada camel coat that Carolyn wore for walks with her dog Friday in Tribeca or shopping on Madison Avenue (it made an appearance in episode six, as well, when Pidgeon’s character meets with Ethel Kennedy pre-nuptials). Mance teamed it with a black turtleneck and bootcut jeans (she notoriously wore Levi’s 517, which can still be found vintage or in the men’s department), adding heeled loafers and an oversized tote bag (those true CBK signatures), which work as the perfect modern-day finishing touches.
The Wedding Dress
The big day finally arrives—and with it, another iconic fashion moment. The bias-cut slip wedding dress that Narciso Rodriguez designed for Bessette-Kennedy actually did cause her to be late for the ceremony, but the dress itself signified the shift in what wedding wear could be—a change that would continue to live on for decades after, still being a major inspiration for modern brides today. Whether you’re shopping for your own wedding or a black-tie affair, a white slip dress is an elegant option that fits the bill. Dress it up or down as you wish—but always keep it in line with the minimalist mindset.
Champagne Dreams
Surrounded by their closest friends and family, the couple kicked off their wedding weekend with a rehearsal dinner at The Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island. In the series, Pidgeon dons a champagne-colored dress dripping in subtle sequins (something similar to what CBK really did wear the night before). Although Carolyn loved a black dress, she would dabble in nudes and soft champagne hues for certain special occasions. We’d work in metallic notes within the accessories, too—those similar to styles Carolyn often wore to galas, such as a small chainmail purse and strappy sandals.
At-Home Moments
Throughout the show we get a peek into the couple’s Tribeca loft, and some of the intimate moments that defined them—when the cameras weren’t around. For slow weekend mornings at home, Pidgeon’s character is dressed in relaxed athleisure mainstays, whether that be a simple rollneck sweater in bed, seemingly plucked from John’s closet (yes, they did actually use J.Crew’s infamous one while filming), or an oversized crewneck sweatshirt from his alma mater. Elevated ease still remained a defining principle throughout the costumes, even while in private repose. We imagine Carolyn would have then slipped on Nike sneakers and bootcut jeans later, when venturing out for breakfast at Bubby’s.
The Enduring LBD
In episode six, Pidgeon’s character arrives for a wedding dress fitting at Narciso Rodriguez’s studio wearing a high-neck black dress. Day or night, we know Carolyn favored a LBD, and while she’s been photographed in plenty of evening iterations, we know she also relied on an arsenal of styles for daytime, as well. Follow her lead and wear it with a simple black coat for transitional moments (we love the idea of a satin car coat), then accessorize with slingback pumps and a small top-handle bag for a day-to-night effect, that can be worn to the office, then straight to a post-work dinner.
East Coast Accents
For trips to Hyannis Port and Martha’s Vineyard, Carolyn relied on classics that melded minimalism with beachy New England accents. Episode four of Love Story referenced the now-infamous paparazzi shots from one of the first sightings of the couple in the wild. Mance recreated the very same, scoop-neck tank top and wrapped towel look for the boat ride, then added additional extras we imagine she would have brought along. The linen slip skirt and slightly-sheer, open-knit sweater Pidgeon wears for drinks post-boat, could have been pulled straight from the Calvin Klein showroom, while black leather flip-flops and L.L.Bean’s canvas Boat & Tote bag represent those East Coast staples Carolyn herself often gravitated towards while on a weekend retreat.
Sport-Coded References
Although we recognize Carolyn most for her polished style, she had a penchant for unfussy sporty clothing, particularly for off-duty moments walking Friday around her neighborhood and in the park. In episode five, we see a taste of these athletic references: Pidgeon’s character wears a chunky cable-knit sweater atop a sleek black turtleneck with jogger sweatpants, and a navy windbreaker jacket—everything in an oversized fit and seemingly borrowed from JFK Jr.’s own closet. White sneakers from Nike (she actually was a fan of the brand) inject that ’90s street style attitude throughout. Mance took inspiration from Bessette-Kennedy’s own closet, recreating this look from head-to-toe, demonstrating how timeless the combination really is—and just as relevant today.
Making an Entrance
In Love Story, Calvin Klein introduces Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. at a benefit for the Amazon rainforest in 1992. We’re not entirely sure if this is fact or fiction (many believe that the pair actually met in the showroom at Calvin Klein when she was fitting him for a suit, which the show highlights later on), but what we can confirm is that Bessette-Kennedy loved to wear a slinky black dress for the evening. The one chosen for the series nods to a famous strapless version that Bessette-Kennedy wore to a gala later down the timeline, and although shown bare on screen, we’d take notes from her roster of accessories—including strappy pointed pumps, opera-length gloves, and a boxy clutch—to recreate the feel of the look for today.
Evening Ease
For a chance encounter run-in at Kelly Klein’s Pools book launch party, Mance dressed Pidgeon in a simple black slip dress with a high-neck—a wardrobe hero we consistently saw Bessette-Kennedy lean on for event dressing. Black tailored coats were always in her arsenal, as well, so if you’re planning to recreate this look—grab one to style overtop. Finishing touches include sleek pointed pumps and a bit of lip—although generally fresh-faced with minimal makeup, Bobbi Brown’s Ruby lipstick was a signature shade she wore for night’s out. And perhaps we are getting a little ahead of ourselves, but how could we not incorporate the sapphire and diamond eternity engagement band into the idea? An evening look can always use a little dose of timeless bijoux.
Off-Duty Minimalism
Within the opening scenes of Love Story, we witness firsthand, classic Bessette-Kennedy style—and hints of what’s to expect as the series unfolds. Pidgeon’s character is seen traveling to meet Paul Anthony Kelly’s John F. Kennedy Jr. at what we can assume is Essex County Airport, donning one of CBK’s quintessential pairings: a black top with brown pants and oval sunglasses (hers were from Selima Optique). This was a combination she frequently experimented with in her off-duty wardrobe, whether that be a simple black cardigan and khaki pants, or an oversized black button-down and brown trousers. She generally styled these casual looks with leather loafers for on-the-go ease, and we’d add a similar straw bag for transitional outfitting, as we head into spring—a trick Zoë Kravitz sports presently, perhaps also nodding to the icon.
