Leilani Rivera, a University of Wisconsin-Madison sophomore, first discovered Carolyn Bessette Kennedy on social media. After watching TikTok slideshows titled "How to dress like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy," and "The Carolyn Bessette Kennedy Effect," Rivera was drawn to Hulu’s new series “Love Story,” which stars Bessette as the female lead in a dramatic retelling of her rocky, front-page relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr.
“I did not know about her before the show,” Rivera said. She was especially drawn to Bessette’s ability to make businesswear look chic. The show inspired Rivera to recreate the Bessette look with the clothes she had in her own closet.
Rivera's own style mixes streetwear and businesswear. She enjoys ballet-inspired looks, including capris, Mary Janes, simple heels and crisp, white button-ups. A lot of her looks are inspired from TikTok, Pinterest and ‘90s movie stars.
For her, Bessette Kennedy embodies the chic look she loves. Rivera isn’t the only college student in 2026 looking to bring back the iconic Basette look of the ’90s.
“Love Story” follows the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. The Hulu show retells their love story and brings Bessette’s dark denim, simple silhouettes and neutral colors back into the spotlight for a generation that knew her only, if at all, through old photos online.
Bessette worked as a fashion publicist for Calvin Klein until she married Kennedy in 1996. Since the show aired, her most iconic looks and outfit clips have been everywhere on social media. Her style has been called "timeless" and "quiet luxury."
As winter finally turns to spring, minimalist styles are popping up all over campus. Many students wear long, black coats over white t-shirts and dark, straight-leg jeans. Some pair these simple outfits with red or black ballet flats. Others walk down State Street in denim and black kitten heels. Most stick to black, white and blue when creating their looks.
For UW-Madison sophomore Alexis Frazer, Besset's influence first captured her eye online. She first heard of Bessette briefly through online stories and social media before deciding to watch “Love Story,” herself.
“I’m watching it on Hulu now. I love it. What stood out most was how her outfits feel comfy but still business-like and fashionable,’’ Frazer said, describing her aesthetic as both effortless and timeless, something she hopes to replicate.
Frazer described her own style as comfy, casual and chic. Denim and sweat sets are her go-to pieces. They are easy to wear around campus, but still make her feel put together.
“Especially as I’m maturing, I’m finding what I like, and I am not caring about what other people think as long as it makes me feel confident,’’ Frazer said.
Even if most UW-Madison students aren’t trying to directly copy Bessette’s exact style, many still emulate her iconic look in simple ways.
Her influence shines through in long coats, dark jeans and minimal accessories like headbands. Whether inspired by the show directly or by social media trends, UW-Madison students are making the minimalist look their own. And with new episodes airing each week, there’s bound to be new outfit inspiration coming soon.
