Bella Hadid’s street style covers all the ’90s fashion essentials—classic denim, cool leather pieces, and vintage accessories. After online obsession with the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy peaked last year, the model’s latest look suggests she likely has some CBK inspiration saved on her own Pinterest board.
Photographed heading to her first modeling job of the year in Los Angeles yesterday, Hadid checked every nostalgic style box: she wore a vintage caramel-brown leather blazer with a black turtleneck, straight-leg black jeans, and pointed black ankle boots. Her accessories included a black and silver buckle belt, oval sunglasses, square gold earrings, a gold watch, and a thin black resin hairband. She also carried a brown Prada Aimee bag over her shoulder. The look was both elegant and understated—so far, so very CBK.
After spending the final days of 2025 and the start of 2026 in Aspen, Colorado, alongside other celebrities, Hadid has been embracing a more casual, model-off-duty vibe. While shopping with friends, she wore another Bessette-Kennedy-inspired outfit: a collarless black leather jacket, white jeans, and another hairband. Another day, she chose an oversized leather jacket with her blue jeans tucked into vintage boots—a very Gen-X look.
CBK has long been a style icon, with interest surging again last spring after it was announced she would be the subject of Ryan Murphy’s FX series, American Love Story. Broadway breakout Sarah Pidgeon will star as the publicist, who died tragically in 1999. After the first images of Pidgeon alongside her co-star Paul Kelly (who will play John F. Kennedy Jr.) were released, Pidgeon’s portrayal drew criticism, largely for her wardrobe: a thin brown coat over a black turtleneck, cropped trousers, slingback kitten heels, and an empty Birkin. From casting to fashion, every detail of Ryan Murphy’s upcoming sweeping account of CBK and JFK Jr.’s whirlwind romance has sparked intense online debate.
Hadid is also set to appear in another of Murphy’s upcoming series, The Beauty. On set in Paris, she was spotted wearing a red leather micro bra, cropped jacket, and zip-up pants—filming a scene on the back of a motorcycle with Evan Peters. Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the show is set in a world where beauty is a symptom of a deadly sexually transmitted disease. Whether any of her costumes made it home with her remains to be seen.
Emulating the ’90s minimalist style that Bessette-Kennedy embodied might seem straightforward, but it’s harder than it looks if you overlook high-quality fabrics and subtle avant-garde details. Here, Bella Hadid shows exactly how to get it right.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Bella Hadid Carolyn BessetteKennedys Style
Q Who is Carolyn BessetteKennedy and why is her style a big deal
A She was the wife of John F Kennedy Jr and a former Calvin Klein publicist in the 1990s She became a fashion icon known for an incredibly minimalist elegant and quiet luxury style that felt effortless and timeless rather than trendy
Q So what does it mean that Bella Hadid embodies her style
A It means Bella has been seen wearing outfits and adopting a fashion philosophy that directly references Carolyns iconic look simple silhouettes neutral colors highquality basics and an overall vibe of understated confidence
Q What are the key pieces of Carolyn BessetteKennedys style
A The staples include slip dresses tailored blazers crisp white shirts perfectly fitted trousers sleek knitwear minimalist coats and simple heels or loafers The color palette is mostly black white cream navy and camel
Q Isnt that just boring basics What makes it special
A The magic is in the impeccable fit luxurious fabrics and precise styling Its about looking polished and confident without looking like you tried too hard Its elevated basics where quality and cut are everything
Q How can I get this look without a celebrity budget
A Focus on fit and fabric Invest in one or two perfect staples from affordable brands known for quality Then build around them with simple pieces Thrift stores are also great for finding minimalist highquality items
Q What are common mistakes people make when trying to copy this style
A The biggest mistakes are choosing pieces that are too baggy or sloppy using fabrics that look cheap or wrinkle easily and overaccessorizing The look is meant to be streamlined
Q Can I still follow trends if I like this aesthetic
A Yes but selectively Carolyns style is a foundation You can incorporate a trendy color or a single modern accessory while keeping the rest of your outfit classic and clean The base should remain timeless