If you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the seconds until the next episode of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette arrives on Disney Plus. It’s no secret that the series has taken the internet by storm.
But aside from the bike-riding businessman’s movie-star looks and the power couple’s magnetic romance, it’s Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s impeccable fashion sense that I can’t help but focus on.
Between her perfectly undone blonde hair, musky unisex perfume, and quiet luxury wardrobe, the Calvin Klein publicist always appeared effortlessly polished and impossibly chic. Despite her neutral palette and minimalist approach, Bessette-Kennedy knew exactly how to accessorise a look. And, spoiler alert: There was usually a headband involved.
The It girl famously rocked extra-wide tortoiseshell headbands from C.O. Bigelow, America’s longest-running pharmacy located in New York City’s West Village. While the apothecary never stopped carrying the iconic hair accessories, they’ve been flying off the shelves ever since the show’s release last month. ‘We’re seeing a line around the hair accessories starting as early as 9:30 A.M., which is definitely not the norm for our business,’ says Sarah Barnes, C.O. Bigelow’s marketing manager. ‘We have definitely seen a large spike in demand online and in-store, with people wanting not only to purchase it, but just to try it on.’
The headbands (along with the store’s impressive assortment of tortoiseshell hair tools and accessories) come from French brands Charles Wahba, France Luxe, and Ficcare. ‘It’s always been something we offered, but it’s been really, really exciting seeing young people on social media not only discover her style for the first time, but also discover us alongside it,’ Barnes says.
It’s been nearly two decades since Bessette-Kennedy selected these accessories as a staple, and yet every item featuring her signature tortoiseshell design is currently sold out on the company’s website. Still, Barnes isn’t surprised the look continues to resonate. ‘Carolyn’s style was not about logos or trends. It was very different than the fast trend cycle of today, where aesthetics change day to day,’ she explains. ‘Her look was consistent and intentional. And so when I think about the pieces downstairs that reflect that, it is often those heritage items that are just very sleek and timeless.’
While the exact headbands are no longer in stock online, I set out to find five similar options that would receive the Bessette-Kennedy stamp of approval. Shop the timeless hair tools below.
New Look Brown Tortoiseshell Effect Resin Headband
Balmain Hair Acetate Headband
Valentino Garavani VLogo Signature Headband
Now 50% Off
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