Hulu's Kennedy Miniseries Ignites 1990s Fashion Revival in New York
Despite initial apprehension, Hulu's American Love Story miniseries, which dramatises the romance of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, has garnered rave reviews and unexpectedly sparked a major fashion trend. The Ryan Murphy-produced show stars Paul Anthony Kelly as JFK Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Bessette, chronicling their whirlwind relationship and tragic deaths in 1999. While the series is steeped in strong 1990s nostalgia, it is not Bessette's sleek Calvin Klein ensembles that viewers are copying, but rather Kennedy's distinctive accessories.
The JFK Jr. Style Legacy: Preppy Meets Practical
The youngest son of former US President John F. Kennedy was renowned for his preppy, classic aesthetic. He frequently wore cable-knit sweaters, structured shoulder jackets, and leather boots, blending high-fashion pieces with more accessible mid-range labels. However, one accessory defined his look: his hats. Kennedy had a particular penchant for the Kangol flat cap, often wearing it backwards, a style that became synonymous with his public image.
Once dismissed as a juvenile 1990s fad, the Kangol flat cap is making a dramatic comeback, largely driven by the influence of American Love Story. Social media platforms are abuzz with documentation of this revival, particularly in New York City, where the series is set.
Social Media Buzz: The "JFK Jr. Effect" Takes Hold
A recent TikTok video humorously highlighted the trend, captioning footage of several men wearing Kangol caps in an East Village bar with, "Live update from the East Village: the JFK Jr. effect." The reaction online has been a mix of amusement, horror, and support.
- "I'm sobbing. These hats needed to stay in the '90s," one horrified viewer wrote.
- "I wasn't expecting this to happen so fast. I fully thought it'd be like summer before this started happening," another commented.
- "There's something so earnest and sad about this," noted a third observer, referencing the tragic backdrop of the Kennedy-Bessette story.
On X, formerly Twitter, users have been equally vocal. One shared, "Way too many dudes wearing that JFK Jr. hat right now," while another recounted, "Barista complimented a guy's hat and he said 'thanks, I've been watching Love Story.'" A post quipped, "I don't think we're ready as a society for what's to come with men trying to pull off JFK Jr. in 2026." Some have even dubbed the cap "The new fedora."
Support for the Style Risk
Amidst the scepticism, many have applauded the fashion risk. "Okay he's taking a lil fashion risk!!!! Good for him!!" cheered one supporter. Another commenter offered a more tender perspective: "Wait this is actually kinda tender, they're taking a risk, trying a new look and being supportive of each other."
The Enduring Fascination with Kennedy and Bessette
The tragically brief relationship between Bessette, a Calvin Klein fashion publicist, and Kennedy, the son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, has captivated the public for decades. The Hulu series opens on the fateful day in July 1999 when the couple died in a plane crash off Martha's Vineyard, before flashing back seven years to explore their lives before they met. The show portrays Bessette as a feisty, ambitious figure and Kennedy as an all-American, baseball-capped jock, adding depth to the iconic fashion legacy now being revived on the streets of New York.
