“No Zara Bullshit on CBK”: Why Ryan Murphy’s ‘American Love Story’ Is Already Missing the Point
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was a '90s fashion icon. So why is her wardrobe in Murphy’s series an afterthought?
I can’t escape the discontentment surrounding Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style choices in Ryan Murphy’s in-progress series American Love Story. And don’t worry, girls—I couldn’t agree more.
The series is set to follow the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. CBK was known for her iconic, understated sense of style. She was often compared to her mother-in-law, Jackie Kennedy—another fashion legend—and both women had aesthetics that defined an era. Yet so far, Murphy and his styling team seem to be falling short. The recently dropped first-look photos and test shots confirm what many of us feared: they’re missing what made Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style iconic.
This isn’t about nitpicking. It’s about honoring a legacy. Carolyn’s style was curated with the same level of discipline she applied to the rest of her life. And for many, her wardrobe was an expression of a woman who refused to perform in the way the media demanded of her.
So yes, we care about the coat. Yes, we care about the Birkin bag. And no, this isn’t hate toward CBK—it’s frustration with a production that seems to be treating her aesthetic like an afterthought.
What’s Missing So Far
The styling fails to capture CBK’s minimalist aesthetic and signature attention to detail—both of which made her a ‘90s style icon. It wasn’t just about neutral palettes or clean silhouettes. It was about fit. About fabric. About intention.
And the choices made so far? Sloppy.
In one of the test shots, Sarah Pidgeon (who’s playing CBK) is seen in a faux leather jacket, a silk midi skirt, and Converse. They’ve got to be joking, right?
One thing about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is that her clothes were always perfectly tailored to her, and the jackets we saw in these shots are anything but that.
Even her bag is wrong. CBK carried a No. 40 Hermès Birkin, not a No. 35. And while that might sound like a small detail to some, it’s a big deal to fashion nerds like me. It's not that hard to get right!
Her former hair stylist is even out here critiquing the hair color, telling Vogue, “No one would believe that Carolyn in the ’90s would ever have that color from me. It’s too 2024. When she sees that color, she’s going to be swirling in heaven.”
Murphy’s Missing the Point
Ryan Murphy has responded to some of the backlash, saying things like, “That was just a coat we threw on for color,” and defending the use of the wrong Birkin by claiming it was grabbed from a nearby costume department.
He followed up with a list of pieces the team does have: “We have multiple pairs of Manolo black heels and sandals from 1992 to 1999. We have the Manolo boots she wore in black and brown. We have her Prada tall boots. We have her Prada bags. We have the Birkin No. 40…”
There’s a chance that the things Murphy has said are true. Perhaps we will see Sarah Pidgeon in a toffee-blonde wig, well-fitted coats, and an acutely scuffed No. 40 Birkin bag—but I can’t say that I’m too confident.
What’s really getting me about Murphy’s response is the turning criticism of the show’s choices into criticism of Carolyn herself. “She was constantly being photographed, being called a cunt by the paparazzi,” he said. “They’re doing to our Carolyn what they did to the real-life Carolyn. It’s not fair.”
Let’s be clear: this isn’t an attack on Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. It’s the opposite. These comments are an act of protection of her legacy. These comments are an attack on the decisions made by the show's team that seemingly ignored CBK’s style. The images released made it seem like her style was an afterthought. Like fashion is unimportant.
What They Should Be Doing Instead
If I were styling the show, this is what I’d need on the mood board:
Essential Staples
A White Button-Down Shirt: A cornerstone of her wardrobe, worn effortlessly tucked into jeans or paired with long skirts.
A Black Turtleneck: Perhaps her most iconic piece—often styled with tailored trousers or denim for a sleek, monochrome look.
Levi’s 517 Jeans: Straight-legged, slightly loose, and worn with ease—often paired with tees or minimalist knits.
Signature Accessories
Small Framed Sunglasses: Her choice in eyewear was distinctive: ovular or narrow-framed sunglasses that became a signature part of her public persona.
The No. 40 Birkin: Scuffed, slouchy, and packed to the brim—never pristine, always lived-in.
Headbands: Thick, tortoiseshell headbands pushed back her toffee-blonde hair. So chic.
Off-Duty Uniform
Slip Skirts and Dresses: Usually in silk or satin, these pieces, usually in black or muted shades were a testament to her belief in the power of simplicity.
Loafers and Ballet Flats: Comfortable but never casual. Understated elegance all the way.
Go-To Designers
Pull from the right labels. CBK didn’t do trendy. She did timeless:
Prada
Yohji Yamamoto
Miu Miu
Manolo Blahnik
Ann Demeulemeester
And absolutely no Zara bullshit.
Legacy Matters
I hope that Ryan Murphy and the rest of the team working on “American Love Story” take this criticism and run with it. Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s legacy as a style icon and public figure continues to inspire us even decades after her death. Her refusal to perform for the cameras and maintain her personal style is a masterclass in self expression, and her character deserves to be done right.
No matter how silly it sounds, the level of scrutiny and care surrounding even the smallest details of her wardrobe, whether it be the cut of a coat or the hue of her hair, is a portrayal of our love of CBK. And they better do our girl justice.