A TV show triggers a real-world style wave
Spring is almost here in New York City, and so is a new surge of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-inspired dressing. Fueled by Ryan Murphy’s FX limited series Love Story, which follows the romance of Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr., the city has become a live runway for her most recognizable staples. Women are recreating the formula that made her a style reference point: classic jeans, black turtlenecks, midi skirts, leather coats, oval sunglasses, and the signature tortoiseshell headband that finishes the look.
The trend is not limited to mood boards. It is showing up in sellouts, packed aisles, and a measurable jump in demand across a small group of legacy retailers tied to Bessette Kennedy’s wardrobe.
C.O. Bigelow’s headband becomes the must-have
At C.O. Bigelow, the 188-year-old apothecary in Greenwich Village, a 1.5-inch acetate headband made by Charles Wahba has become the breakout item. Sold there since the 1950s and widely associated with Bessette Kennedy, the headband has been sold out online for weeks, and the store is drawing crowds looking for the accessory.
Alec Ginsberg, Bigelow’s chief operating officer, says the shift happened fast and the atmosphere has been upbeat rather than tense. He describes younger shoppers treating the store like a communal styling space, trying on hair accessories, asking strangers for opinions, and turning the hunt into a social outing. Bigelow has even leaned into the vibe inside the store with more energetic playlists during peak hours.
Without sharing exact figures, Ginsberg says sales and store traffic have risen significantly. The reason is straightforward: many of Bessette Kennedy’s original designer pieces are out of reach for younger fans, but a $30 accessory offers a realistic way to tap into the look.
Zitomer and Selima Optique see demand spike
The ripple effect is spreading uptown. Zitomer Pharmacy on the Upper East Side is also seeing increased interest in the Wahba headband. CEO Sharon Sternheim links the rise to a 2024 New York Times mention that flagged Zitomer as a stocking location. After the show premiered, the store sold 60 headbands in a single day and saw an average 20% increase across its hair accessories category.
Meanwhile, Selima Optique, the eyewear brand connected to Bessette Kennedy’s oval sunglasses, has recorded a sharp surge online. The brand’s “Aldo” style is the closest match to what she wore, while its “Carolyn” version offers a larger lens. In 2025, the company added a third option, “CBK,” with an even bigger silhouette. In the four weeks after the show’s Feb. 12 release, Selima Optique says online Aldo orders rose 2,388%, while sales across the wider “CBK family” increased more than 1,000% compared with the prior period.
To keep up, the brand has expanded production capacity, including setting up a New York atelier for bespoke frames. Interest has also broadened beyond the U.S., with customers messaging from overseas and planning trips to buy specific colors in Paris.
Will the craze fade or settle into the culture
With the finale approaching, retailers are unsure if the intensity will cool. But the underlying signal is clear: the show has introduced Bessette Kennedy’s aesthetic to a new generation in a way that converts inspiration into purchases. Even if the trend softens, her status as a style touchstone now looks newly reinforced, with a fresh wave of consumers learning where to buy the items that make the look feel authentic.
