Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's Favorite Levi's Jeans Are Back in Style

Where to find her iconic denim looks (and affordable dupes) from the '90s.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's minimalist fashion aesthetic, including her go-to Levi's jeans, has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the FX series "Love Story." While her exact Prada boots and Birkin bags may be out of reach for most, her classic Levi's 517 bootcut and Ribcage bell jeans can be recreated with affordable options.

Why it matters

Bessette Kennedy's timeless style has endured, and her denim choices in particular have become iconic. As the "It Couple" of the 1990s, her fashion influence is being rediscovered by a new generation, driving demand for her signature Levi's looks.

The details

The original Levi's 517 bootcut jeans that Bessette Kennedy favored are still available on the Levi's website, though the women's version is currently out of production. For a similar look, shoppers can find options on Etsy or try the Agolde brand for a more luxury take. Her other go-to, the Levi's Ribcage Bell jeans, retail for $110 on Levi's.com, with affordable dupes available from brands like Quince and Sézane.

  • Carolyn Bessette Kennedy rose to fame in the 1990s as the wife of John F. Kennedy, Jr.
  • The FX series "Love Story," which chronicles the relationship between Bessette Kennedy and Kennedy, premiered in 2026.

The players

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

A publicist who was known for her minimalist, effortless style and became an iconic fashion figure in the 1990s as the wife of John F. Kennedy, Jr.

John F. Kennedy, Jr.

The son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who was married to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy until their tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash.

Levi's

The iconic American denim brand whose jeans, particularly the 517 bootcut and Ribcage bell styles, were favorites of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy.

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What they’re saying

“Midnight, You come and pick me up, no headlights, Long drive, Could end in burning flames or paradise…sounds like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Jr., huh?”

— Elizabeth Logan, Author (glamour.com)

What’s next

Levi's is expected to bring back the women's version of the 517 bootcut jeans in response to renewed interest in Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's style.

The takeaway

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's timeless, minimalist fashion sense, including her go-to Levi's denim looks, continues to inspire a new generation. While her exact designer pieces may be out of reach, affordable dupes allow fans to recreate her iconic '90s style.