Experts deliver damning verdict on Ryan Murphy's Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wardrobe... and reveal what the late fashion icon REALLY would have worn

Daily Mail​

a day ago

When pictures of actress Sarah Pidgeon starring as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Ryan Murphy's upcoming series American Love Story first went public, fans were distressed and instantly called out the discrepancies in how the fashionista was dressed.
John F. Kennedy Jr's wife, who tragically died alongside him in a plane crash in 1999, was a red carpet fixture and fashion icon. The Calvin Klein publicist was famous for her narrow sunglasses, slinky slip dresses, lack of jewelry, and sleek headbands.
Carolyn and JFK Jr, the son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, first met in 1992, when he was in a relationship with actress Daryl Hannah. They quickly became the New York City it couple after getting more serious in 1994, and they were seen as American royalty, with Bessette-Kennedy receiving Princess Diana comparisons.
The late socialite has long been a fashion icon and received even more acclaim in recent years as millennials and Gen Z discovered and emulated her style on social media.
When Murphy shared photos on Instagram of Pidgeon wearing a knee-length brown coat and a black polo, paired with an incorrectly sized Birkin and bright blonde hair, fashionistas were less than impressed. Other pictures showed Pidgeon donning what looked like a cheaply made satin midi skirt with Chuck Taylors, which instantly became controversial.
Amid the fiery fashion debate, Daily Mail consulted experts to find out if the pushback was warranted - and if CBK would actually wear Converse sneakers.
When pictures of actress Sarah Pidgeon starring as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Ryan Murphy's upcoming series American Love Story first went public, fans were distressed
The American Horror Story showrunner uploaded a carousel of images as Kelly and Pidgeon dressed as JFK Jr. and Bessette-Kennedy
Kelly has taken on the role of JFK Jr. while Pidgeon is playing Bessette-Kennedy in the series - which is set to begin airing on FX and streaming on Hulu in February 2026; seen in 1999 in Boston
Pop culture historian Marie Nicola believes the look is inaccurate from a styling perspective, although she has a theory it's 'purposefully so,' to jumpstart a conversation before the show airs.
'Murphy has built a reputation on visual precision, particularly when working with award-winning costume designers,' she explained, adding that the costume departments are given vast budget and historical consultants.
Stylist Liz Teich told Daily Mail she was 'a bit shocked that the wardrobe looked more like an afterthought'
Stylist Liz Teich told Daily Mail she was 'a bit shocked that the wardrobe looked more like an afterthought for such a high profile production of two of the most prominent figures of a generation.' Like Marie, she hops that the show 'will step it up for production.'
'Sadly most of the wardrobe we've seen in the previews looked a bit more leaning towards Zara than Prada,' the New York City-based stylist proclaimed. Teich, who calls CBK her 'forever muse,' takes issue with some of the small details being missed, like the actress wearing earrings, when CBK only wore a Cartier Tank watch.
'She didn't look like she was an entry level employee trying hard to impress in a corporate office,' Teich quipped.
The Converse proved particularly controversial, as people on social media proclaimed she 'would have never worn them it's just not accurate in the slightest' and furiously called the styling 'fashion murder.'
Nicola thinks 'the styling of the Converse felt off because they were too grubby, not purposeful and lacked the nuance of how CBK styled herself.' While Nicola confirmed that historians and biographers have mentioned that she wore Converse casually before meeting JFK Jr, she thinks they felt 'unanchored.'
Still, the pushback about the particular footwear is not necessary, as the inexpensive canvas sneakers 'were absolutely part of the '90s anti-glamour ethos, symbolized a deliberate rejection of high-gloss fashion.'
The Converse choice proved particularly controversial, as people on social media proclaimed furiously called the styling 'fashion murder'
Teich said, 'CBK was known for her high - low, designer mixed with attainable and minimalist style, and always perfectly tailored with pieces, where you never questioned the quality, even if they were at lower price points'
Teich agreed: 'The styling, quality and tailoring didn't quite reflect what she would have worn,' adding, 'CBK was known for her high/low, designer mixed with attainable and minimalist style, and always perfectly tailored with pieces, where you never questioned the quality, even if they were at lower price points.'
Pop culture historian Marie Nicola believes the look is inaccurate from a styling perspective
'This was a stark contrast from the wardrobe in the images that were released, which looked like costumes from Spirit Halloween,' Teich said.
Fashion fans were equally unhappy that Bessette appeared to be carrying a Birkin 35, instead of her go-to Birkin 40. Marie explained that her particular Birkin was 'oversized, almost architectural in proportion, and became part of her signature silhouette.'
Teich added, 'If we're getting nitpicky, CBK wouldn't have worn it so empty,' since the Hermes bag 'wasn't a status symbol to her' at the time.
Nicola believes 'the most glaring issue is the wig,' because her toffee hair was 'a custom blonde that was developed by Brad Johns,' while in the stills it looks 'flat, ashy, and so modern it screams bottle blond.'
CBK lacked the intellectual depth, the self-awareness, of her late mother-in-law, Jackie Onassis. It's why there are so few biographies of her, and why the ones that exist are lacking. There wasn't much there.
Murphy wrote on social media, 'I am thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. Over a thousand actors auditioned for each of these roles, and we absolutely found the perfect choices. Congratulations Sarah and Paul!'
The effortlessly chic Boston University graduate's supporters were equally displeased with the bright shade of her hair.
Johns himself took issue with the hairdo, telling Page Six: 'There must be some kind of glitch with the costume people or the hair people, because it's not right — it's all white and burnt.'
As fans and experts are hoping the costuming takes a turn for the premiere, they'll be anxiously awaiting new stills and behind-the-scenes shots, as the FX series premieres in February 2026.
Other celebrities starring in the upcoming project include Paul Kelly as JFK Jr., Naomi Watts as Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Gummer as Caroline Kennedy and Alessandro Nivola as Calvin Klein.