TikTok Can't Stop Talking About CBK's Butter-Blonde Hair—Here's How to Pull It Off

If you ask any Who What Wear editor to name people who helped define the minimalist and streamlined styles of the mid-to-late '90s, there's a high chance publicist Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy will be mentioned. While she was undeniably private during her lifetime, she had New York City wrapped around her finger with every black slip dress, leopard coat, and turtleneck she was photographed wearing. Popularly referred to simply by her initials, CBK's signature style is circulating once again, as the first behind-the-scenes shots from the set of Ryan Murphy's newest series American Love Story have been released.

Premiering in February 2026, the show will explore her courtship and marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr., and Sarah Pidgeon stars opposite Paul Kelly as the series' central figures. As excited as we are to see CBK's most iconic fashion moments re-created on our televisions, we're just as invested in the lively conversation surrounding the show's version of the publicist's signature butter-blonde hair and effortless hairstyles. Below, we're exploring three of Bessette-Kennedy's most recognizable hairstyles with the must-have modern-day products and accessories to create them with precision.

The Effortless Knotted Bun

While she was most frequently spotted walking out of the iconic Tribeca loft with her hair pulled into a flawless ponytail or long and blown out, there were some occasions when Bessette-Kennedy was photographed with an understated, slicked-back, knotted bun. We're obsessed with how simple and elevated this style is and how similar it is to the the clean girl updos we're so used to seeing as we scroll through our FYPs.

Yes, Bessette-Kennedy embraced effortless styles, but the slicked-back bun added another layer of elegance to one of New York's most stylish people of the 20th century. When she wasn't slipping in and out of cars to attend events with her husband, CBK had a certain penchant for pairing her bespoke atelier sunglasses with chic acetate headbands. In fact, she was photographed on multiple occasions wearing a headband with a brown-toned tortoiseshell pattern.

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The Sleek and Full-Bodied Ponytail

We can't dive into CBK's hairstyles without taking a close look at the one that's most frequently associated with her fashion sense: the sleek ponytail, which was often paired with a chunky headband. Bessette-Kennedy was seen on numerous occasions with her butter-blonde tresses pulled back into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck and finished off with a simple hair tie. Bessette-Kennedy's chunky headbands were undoubtedly her accessory of choice while wearing this style, and we don't blame her—they add a high-fashion touch to an otherwise quick and easy look.

When her hair wasn't completely slicked back and secured, there were a few instances where she was photographed with a messy, worn ponytail without freezing it in place with the help of hair spray or pomade, letting some strands fall loose around her face before tucking them behind the ears. Pictures of her hair in this variation of the ponytail were usually taken when she was out on casual strolls accompanied by her husband and her beloved pup.

Long and Textured

Lastly, Bessette-Kennedy looked stunning when her hair was long, layered, and textured. Not only did it always seem to have an unreal amount of shine whenever it was caught on camera, but it also had the perfect amount of volume. Plus, she wasn't afraid to slide it out of her face without ruining the style. Along with her signature ponytail, this was a style that CBK was spotted wearing while running errands, walking through parks, and attending star-studded events, like the the City of Hope fundraiser party hosted by British actor Michael Gould in October 1992. Yes, that is Calvin Klein standing beside her in the black-and-white shot above from that night. (She was working as a public relations executive for his brand when she met Kennedy.)

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