Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's Iconic Levi's Jeans Still Available for Under $75

The late fashion icon's beloved 517 bootcut style remains a timeless classic.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's minimalist 90s style, including her go-to Levi's 517 bootcut jeans, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to the new Ryan Murphy series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.' The exact same Levi's 517 jeans that Bessette Kennedy favored can still be purchased today for $75 or less, making them an affordable way to channel her effortlessly chic aesthetic.

Why it matters

Bessette Kennedy's timeless fashion sense, including her love of the Levi's 517 jeans, has endured as an iconic look that continues to influence trends today. As interest in the late style icon grows with the new TV series, the availability of her go-to denim at an accessible price point allows fans to emulate her minimalist yet polished vibe.

The details

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy often paired her retro Levi's 517 bootcut jeans with boots, heels, belted coats, tees, turtlenecks, and crisp white button-downs for a casually sophisticated look that embodied her low-maintenance aesthetic. While the 517 style first debuted in 1969, Levi's still manufactures the exact same cut, which can be purchased for $75 or less. The men's-inspired fit creates an effortless drape on the hips, and the higher waist and subtle bootcut are flattering details.

  • The Levi's 517 jeans first debuted in 1969.
  • Carolyn Bessette Kennedy was frequently photographed wearing the 517 style in the 1990s.

The players

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

A fashion icon known for her minimalist 90s style, including her love of Levi's 517 bootcut jeans.

Levi's

The iconic American denim brand that still manufactures the 517 bootcut jeans that Bessette Kennedy favored.

Ryan Murphy

The creator of the new TV series 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette' that has renewed interest in Bessette Kennedy's style.

Sarah Pidgeon

The actress who plays Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the 'Love Story' series and worked closely with the wardrobe department to accurately recreate her iconic denim looks.

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What they’re saying

“We fitted some Levi's so that they looked exactly how they fit Carolyn.”

— Sarah Pidgeon, Actress (Vogue)

What’s next

With the popularity of the 'Love Story' series expected to drive renewed interest in Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style, fans will likely flock to purchase the Levi's 517 jeans that were so central to her minimalist aesthetic.

The takeaway

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's enduring influence on fashion proves that timeless, well-made pieces like the Levi's 517 bootcut jeans can remain relevant and coveted decades later. Her ability to make the classic American denim staple look effortlessly chic continues to inspire style devotees seeking to emulate her understated elegance.