For over 25 years since her passing, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy has remained a timeless style icon, constantly inspiring articles (like this one) about how to “copy her look.” But as we’ve recently seen, recreating her signature ’90s minimalism is harder than it appears.

Earlier this year, Ryan Murphy announced Broadway star Sarah Pidgeon would play Bessette-Kennedy in his upcoming FX series American Love Story. Last week, the first images of Pidgeon alongside co-star Paul Kelly were released. While Kelly was praised for his resemblance to John F. Kennedy Jr., Pidgeon’s portrayal of CBK faced criticism—particularly for her outfit: a thin brown coat over a black turtleneck, cropped trousers, slingback kitten heels, and an empty Birkin bag.

Critics argued that simply mimicking Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalist aesthetic doesn’t guarantee success. Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson noted on Instagram, “I know the silhouettes look similar, but Zara is very different from vintage Calvin Klein, Narciso Rodriguez, or Jil Sander.” Moda Operandi founder Lauren Santo Domingo agreed, commenting, “Sorry, but the wardrobe is wrong.”

As a Calvin Klein publicist, Bessette-Kennedy had an impeccable fashion sense, favoring designers like Prada, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, and Yohji Yamamoto (who gave her sleek style an avant-garde edge). That’s not to say her look was unattainable—she loved Levi’s 517s and stocked up on headbands at New York’s C.O. Bigelow pharmacy. But assuming her carefully curated style could be easily replicated would be a mistake.

In Elements of Style, we break down a celebrity’s fashion into its key components. Here are the five essentials from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe—copycats, take note!

### 1. Statement Outerwear
When it worked, it worked. A Prada devotee, Bessette-Kennedy often wore belted coats in black and camel. While she typically stuck to neutral tones, she wasn’t afraid to experiment with texture, pattern, or bold colors—like the ruffled Yohji Yamamoto coat she wore to the Newman’s Own George Awards or the red plaid Prada coat she sported around NYC.

Key Brands: Prada, Yohji Yamamoto, Versace
Where She Wore It: Newman’s Own George Awards, Fire & Ice Ball, NYC streets
Pair With: Bootcut jeans, a black weekender bag, strappy sandals

### 2. Tortoiseshell Headband
Forever linked to the classic plastic headband, Bessette-Kennedy wore a thick tortoiseshell version year-round—whether with a Miu Miu dress and Prada boots or her trusty Levi’s. She reportedly bought hers from Greenwich Village’s C.O. Bigelow, though some claim she shopped at Upper East Side’s Zitomer pharmacy.

Key Brand: Charles J. Wahba
Where She Wore It: Around NYC
Pair With: A Miu Miu dress, Prada coat, Levi’s 517s, a white tee, knee-high boots

### 3. Oval Sunglasses
Bessette-Kennedy’s go-to shades were the oval Aldo frames from Selima Optique, which she wore with nearly every outfit. The brand later honored her by naming a pair The Carolyn.

Key Brand: Selima Optique
Where She Wore It: Honeymoon in Turkey, NYC outings
Pair With: A bandana, bootcut jeans, strappy sandals, a Birkin, a black winter coat

### 4. Closet Staples
Even her basics were elevated—like the white Yohji Yamamoto Homme shirt she wore to the 1999 Whitney Museum gala or the black Ralph Lauren turtleneck she paired with Helmut Lang trousers and her black Birkin.

Key Pieces: Levi’s 517s, button-up shirts, loafers, black shoulder bags, black turtlenecks, pointy-toe slingbacks
Where She Wore It: Whitney Museum Gala, Robin Hood Foundation benefit, NYC streets
Pair With: A Birkin, an L.L. Bean Boat and Tote, oval sunglasses, Helmut Lang pants, Chanel suede loafersAll-Black Formalwear

Bessette-Kennedy favored an all-black aesthetic, particularly for formal occasions. Though she stuck to a monochromatic palette, her style was anything but monotonous—ranging from tailored Yohji Yamamoto skirt suits that emphasized her waist to a striking off-the-shoulder two-piece ensemble at the Warhol Look/Glamour Style and Fashion Exhibition Gala at the Whitney.

Designers: Yohji Yamamoto, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen
Occasions: The White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a White House State Dinner, the Profiles in Courage Awards
Styling Tips: Pair with strappy black sandals, black velvet opera gloves, pointed-toe pumps, a bold red lip, or a sleek bun.