Fans are not here for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s outfits in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming series American Love Story, but at least one detail of the controversial costuming seems to be correct.
When actress Sarah Pidgeon was seen on set as the late Bessette-Kennedy in photographs on Tuesday, June 17, fans immediately shared their opinions on her laid-back look — which included Chuck Taylor high-tops from Converse — via social media.
“She’s supposed to be playing CAROLYN BESSETTE KENNEDY!!!!!” one person wrote via X on Wednesday, June 18. “And they’ve got her in f***ing pleather blazer, a cheap silk midi and DIRTY CONVERSE I am going to be ill.”
Another social media user agreed, claiming that Bessette-Kennedy would never be seen in Chuck Taylors. “The styling for this ‘American Love Story’ is a mess. Caroline Bessett [sic] Kennedy was chic and well put together.”
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A third fan hoped that her choice of footwear wouldn’t make the final cut, writing, “Trust the feet aren’t in the actual shot.”
While filming, Pidgeon, 28, teamed the black high-tops with a bronze silk skirt, a leather blazer and a black knit sweater. Bessette-Kennedy, meanwhile, was known for her minimalist, elegant style, which can now be seen as a precursor to the quiet luxury trend of recent years.
Although some fans might be up in arms about Bessette-Kennedy’s recreated looks, author Elizabeth Beller proved that the style icon actually might have approved of her character’s outfits.
In Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, which was published in May 2024, Beller wrote, “At times, when she was not at work, she dressed like a Bloomsbury bohemian in flowing dresses accessorized with Chuck Taylors.”
She added, “Other times it was jeans and a white button-down shirt.”
Beller went on to note that Bessette-Kennedy’s style was influential among her coworkers, writing, “Once she wore a long midi Calvin [Klein] skirt with Chucks on her feet and only a fitted black leather jacket as a shirt. Soon, Chucks, midi skirts and jackets as shirts made appearances all over the office.”
Bessette-Kennedy died at age 33 in 1999 in a plane crash alongside husband John F. Kennedy Jr., who was piloting the plane. Kennedy also died in the crash at age 38, as did Bessette-Kennedy’s sister Lauren, who was 34.
Bessette-Kennedy and Kennedy tied the knot in 1996. John Jr. was the only son of former President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who also shared a daughter, Caroline, now 67.
American Love Story is set to premiere in February 2026.
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