If you ask any Who What Wear editor to name people who helped define the minimalist and streamlined styles of the mid-to-late ’90s, there’s a high chance publicist Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy will be mentioned. While she was undeniably private during her lifetime, she had New York City wrapped around her finger with every black slip dress, leopard coat, and turtleneck she was photographed wearing. Popularly referred to simply by her initials, CBK’s signature style is circulating once again, as the first behind-the-scenes shots from the set of Ryan Murphy’s newest series American Love Story have been released.
Premiering in February 2026, the show will explore her courtship and marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr., and Sarah Pidgeon stars opposite Paul Kelly as the series’ central figures. As excited as we are to see CBK’s most iconic fashion moments re-created on our televisions, we’re just as invested in the lively conversation surrounding the show’s version of the publicist’s signature butter-blonde hair and effortless hairstyles. Below, we’re exploring three of Bessette-Kennedy’s most recognizable hairstyles with the must-have modern-day products and accessories to create them with precision.
The Effortless Knotted Bun
(Image credit: Lawrence Schwartzwald/Getty Images; Penske Media/Getty Images; Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images)
While she was most frequently spotted walking out of the iconic Tribeca loft with her hair pulled into a flawless ponytail or long and blown out, there were some occasions when Bessette-Kennedy was photographed with an understated, slicked-back, knotted bun. We’re obsessed with how simple and elevated this style is and how similar it is to the the clean girl updos we’re so used to seeing as we scroll through our FYPs.
Yes, Bessette-Kennedy embraced effortless styles, but the slicked-back bun added another layer of elegance to one of New York’s most stylish people of the 20th century. When she wasn’t slipping in and out of cars to attend events with her husband, CBK had a certain penchant for pairing her bespoke atelier sunglasses with chic acetate headbands. In fact, she was photographed on multiple occasions wearing a headband with a brown-toned tortoiseshell pattern.
Get the Look
This pomade stick tames flyaways, offers long-lasting texture, adds polish with a castor oil–infused formula to help you coax your hair into styles.
Living Proof
No Frizz Vanishing Oil
Living Proof’s fast-absorbing oil hydrates and blocks humidity from your strands, keeping them frizz-free, shiny, and smooth all day with minimal effort.
Crown Affair
The Dual-Bristle Boar Hair Brush
Crown Affair’s handcrafted beechwood dual-bristle brush detangles hair, adds volume, and distributes natural oils through strands in one easy step.
Kristin Ess
Ultra Fine Workable Hairspray
Designed with heat-protectant properties, this hair spray supports all styles with a lightweight, flexible formula that’s easy to layer and lightly scented with florals.
Heliums
Bobby Pins in Light Ash Blonde
The right bobby pins, like these by Heliums, will provide a secure and strong hold for a variety of hairstyles while blending in with strands.
The Sleek and Full-Bodied Ponytail
(Image credit: Lawrence Schwartzwald/Getty Images;)
We can’t dive into CBK’s hairstyles without taking a close look at the one that’s most frequently associated with her fashion sense: the sleek ponytail, which was often paired with a chunky headband. Bessette-Kennedy was seen on numerous occasions with her butter-blonde tresses pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck and finished off with a simple hair tie. Bessette-Kennedy’s chunky headbands were undoubtedly her accessory of choice while wearing this style, and we don’t blame her—they add a high-fashion touch to an otherwise quick and easy look.
When her hair wasn’t completely slicked back and secured, there were a few instances where she was photographed with a messy, worn ponytail without freezing it in place with the help of hair spray or pomade, letting some strands fall loose around her face before tucking them behind the ears. Pictures of her hair in this variation of the ponytail were usually taken when she was out on casual strolls accompanied by her husband and her beloved pup.
L. Erickson
Grab & Go Ponytail Holders in Beige
L. Erickson’s no-crease, woven polyester hair ties have a durable elastic core for damage-free wear with secure grip and can be used on all hair types without pulling and creasing strands.
TIGI
Bed Head Hair Wax Stick
The Bed Head Hair Wax Stick is a must-have for sleek styles since it provides hold while leaving hairstyles smooth and frizz-free with easy application.
Color Wow
Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
The Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray is nonsticky, flexible, and made with hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen hair while UV protectant keeps hair true to tone.
Paul Mitchell
Awapuhi Wild Ginger Finishing Hairspray
This Paul Mitchell finishing spray is ideal for slicked-back styles like CBK’s ponytails since it secures tresses with a firm hold and balances moisture with awapuhi extract.
Shashi’s stylish, tortoiseshell-print headband can be trusted to sit nice and securely on your head without slipping, sliding, or falling out of place as you go about your day.
Long and Textured
(Image credit: RJ Capak/Getty Images; Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Getty Images; Penske Media/Getty Images)
Lastly, Bessette-Kennedy looked stunning when her hair was long, layered, and textured. Not only did it always seem to have an unreal amount of shine whenever it was caught on camera, but it also had the perfect amount of volume. Plus, she wasn’t afraid to slide it out of her face without ruining the style. Along with her signature ponytail, this was a style that CBK was spotted wearing while running errands, walking through parks, and attending star-studded events, like the the City of Hope fundraiser party hosted by British actor Michael Gould in October 1992. Yes, that is Calvin Klein standing beside her in the black-and-white shot above from that night. (She was working as a public relations executive for his brand when she met Kennedy.)
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Olaplex
Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
Suitable for all hair types, this multipurpose formula by Olaplex speeds up drying time and protects against heat damage while delivering body, shine, and bounce.
Aavrani
Hydra-Bounce Thickening Blowout Primer
A thick, full-bodied blowout can be achieved with the help of this styling cream by Aavrani, which plumps hair strands, strengthens them to reduce damage over time, and controls frizz.
Shu Uemura
Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil
We swear by the Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Hair Oil by Shu Uemura to nourish tresses while enhancing shine, reducing frizz, and preventing heat damage.
JVN
Complete Blowout Styling Milk
The Complete Blowout Styling Milk by JVN provides heat protection up to 450°F and has a unique, silicone-free formula designed to lock your style in place.
T3
360 Ceramic Air Styler Blowout Kit
Use the viral T3 Ceramic Air Styler for salon-fresh styles from the comfort of your home with easy-to-use ceramic curling attachments and smart technology.
