Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. will never go out of style. The famously tragic It Couple of the 1990s is back on everyone’s fashion radar thanks to FX’s Love Story, and while we can’t endorse a full return to every ’90s trend (all that indoor smoking looks cool but probably smelled horrendous), CBK’s minimalist aesthetic is iconic for a reason. No wonder people got so mad about her character’s costumes that the show hired a new designer and tracked down all of the originals they could.
Sadly, most of us don’t have the means to search eBay for Bessette-Kennedy’s exact Prada boots or Birkin bag, but her jeans? Those we can copy. And jeans are something you’ll actually continue to wear after the CBK resurgence inevitably fades (sorry, but a trend is a trend is a trend).
Here are the exact jeans Carolyn Bessette wore before and after becoming Mrs. Kennedy.
Levi’s 517s
The original 517 bootcut jean is a men’s style, and before many brands hopped on the “boyfriend” trend, fashionistas would simply belt a men’s jean and call it a day. You can still shop the 517 on the Levi’s site, and there is a women’s version…except Levi’s isn’t making it right now. I’m sure someone at the company is absolutely screaming to get them into production before the Love Story season finale, but in the meantime, there’s Etsy. (Note: the 517s from the ’90s and the 517s from the ’70s have slightly different waistlines; here’s more info for the curious.)
If you want something a bit more luxurious that also doesn’t have the Levi’s tag (kind of a giveaway that you’re copying a TV show), Agolde is doing straight-legged minimalism very well right now.
Levi’s ribcage bell jeans
Per Elle, this was another favorite style of the late publicist, and costs just $110 on the Levi’s website. Save money and add stretch by shopping this dupe from Quince and get just the right “kick flare” from this Sézane pair.
Brown cords
We haven’t been able to track down the exact brand Bessette-Kennedy wore—those pockets!—but if you’re wearing flared brown corduroys, you’re headed in the right direction. This J.Crew version is just the right color, and if you prefer a darker hue, AG has you covered.
Calvin Klein, of course
Ultimately, one brand will always be associated with Bessette-Kennedy more than any other: Calvin Klein. CBK worked for the company, first as a saleswoman and then in PR, for almost all of her career. She was also a close friend of the designer himself. She perfectly embodied the brand’s vision of elegant basics, so if you’re asking yourself what Bessette-Kennedy would be wearing if she were alive today, the answer is she’d probably still do at least a little of her denim shopping at CK.
It’s hard for us to imagine her in anything baggy, so to channel her typical silhouettes, take a look at the cropped flares, high-rise straights, Ponte flare pants, and relaxed straight-cuff jeans.
Remember, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy looked so good because in addition to working in fashion, she had an innate sense of style and stayed true to what she liked, so follow your heart and find what works for you!
