Downtown New York It Girls Are Wearing Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's Favorite Bag Trend

By Swedan MargenMarch 20, 2026

Against all odds, following some questionable costuming decisions last summer (which were since corrected), Ryan Murphy's Love Story is a bona fide hit. As a result, the show, which follows the relationship of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F Kennedy Jr., has also led to an unexpected resurgence of '90s minimalism. It feels as though a new generation has just discovered Bessette Kennedy's iconic style. Just scroll on social media, and you'll see what I mean: There's no shortage of fashion fans trying to re-create the magic of her signature aesthetic.

Of course, what made Besette Kennedy's style so special was that it was hers. She had a uniform that she stuck to, and she dressed in a way that felt true to who she was. She didn't follow trends, and she didn't care much about what people thought. She wore Yohji Yamamoto and Prada before it was even cool. And so, it is impossible to just throw on a simple black turtleneck and a pair of trousers and call yourself CBK. There's a lot more to her look than that. That said, I'd argue the easiest way to channel some of her energy is through her handbags.

Carolyn had a penchant for simple black top-handle handbags, often from Prada. In today's climate of It-bag mania, where certain bags reach celebrity status (complete with inevitable overexposure), she can teach all of us a thing or two about the value of investing in timeless pieces over trendy ones. Her handbags worked with all of her outfits because they were simple. They were also more than easy to style. You can tell Bessette Kennedy wore them because she actually used them. That authenticity is what made her a fashion icon.

The other day, I was walking around New York and noticed a handful of flashy archival vintage bags and the new shiny It luxury bags of the moment on the arms of cool girls everywhere—from Brooklyn to Uptown. Honestly, though, I noticed more and more of the most stylish people opting for a simple black top-handle bag, including myself.

After Love Story aired, I decided to buy a simple black Prada tote bag from the '90s with long skinny straps adorned with small silver buckles. My style is so different from CBK's, but I channeled her energy in this small way: wearing something that I love and can use over and over again. Trust me when I say it's what all of the cool girls in New York are doing right now, and it's the best way to re-create her look in a way that feels more authentic than a direct copy.