The release of Ryan Murphy‘s “American Love Story” is still a ways away, and fans are already up in arms regarding the costume design and the wardrobe for the show’s characters, which has so far included a pair of black Converse high-top sneakers.
The series, which is set to release in February 2026, explores the story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette‘s courtship and marriage, leading up to their tragic deaths. Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon will be playing the couple, and the actors were spotted filming for the upcoming series in New York City, with Pidgeon’s character wearing black Converse sneakers during a scene shot on Monday.
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Costume designer Lou Eyrich is in charge of styling, and she paired the shoes with a satin champagne midi skirt, a black turtleneck and a leather blazer.
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“I defy anyone to find a photo of CBK wearing anything remotely like a cheap satin skirt and Converse high tops,” one fan commented on social media about the look. “How could they get it so wrong?!! Converse ?? Earrings?! That cheap skirt!” another added. Another user chimed in, writing: “Chucks on CBK?! She would never.”
Style content creator Jack Savoie also took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the look in a video, saying, “Ryan Murphy Productions, please tell me when Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore Converse? A Converse? I don’t think so,” he said. Under his post, some fans disagreed, saying that when Bessette worked at Calvin Klein she reportedly wore Converses with dresses and skirts.
Savoie later retracted his statement, saying he “stands corrected” after reading from a page of the socialite’s 2024 biography, “Once Upon a Time The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy” by Elizabeth Beller. Savoie read a portion of the book in a video, confirming that she did wear Chuck Taylors.
“Page 44, Chapter 5, Champagne Supernovas. Spring 1989 to spring 1992. At times when she was not at work, she dressed like a Bloomsbury bohemian in flowing dresses accessorized with Chuck Taylors,” he read. “Once she wore a long, midi Calvin skirt with Chucks on her feet and only a fitted black leather jacket as a shirt. Soon, chucks, midi skirts, and jackets as shirts made appearances all over the office.”
While that put the sneaker criticism to rest, Ryan Murphy Productions and FX Networks previously shared first look images of the actors in full costume for their camera test in June, which also received negative feedback from fans regarding the styling. The production company announced that they began shooting in New York City this week and that the show is expected to be released in time for Valentine’s Day.
“I am thrilled to introduce you to Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and Paul Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr,” the post’s caption read. “Over a thousand actors auditioned for each of these roles, and we absolutely found the perfect choices.”
The couple was known for their effortlessly chic, minimalist style and was often spotted wearing understated, classic pieces and a neutral color palette. Bessette’s timeless and elegant style made her a fashion icon for many in the 90s, and her influence endures today. She often wore pieces from Calvin Klein, Prada, Yohji Yamamoto, Miu Miu and Ann Demeulemeester. For shoes, she opted for Prada sandals, loafers, and knee-high leather boots, with Manolo Blahnik being her go-to designer for formal footwear. She was also spotted wearing Nike sneakers, Adidas Stan Smiths and other casual footwear during outings with her husband in New York City.
The couple could be considered among the pioneers of what we know today as “quiet luxury,” so people familiar with their style were bound to have high expectations for the show’s wardrobe department.
Eyrich has worked with Murphy on most of his TV projects, including “Nip/Tuck,” “Glee,” “American Horror Story,” “Grotesquerie,” and others. She also worked with the TV titan on “American Crime Story,” which featured two seasons, including “Impeachment,” about the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal and “The People v. O.J. Simpson.” Like “American Love Story,” those two projects required more of a historical context and accuracy told through fashion and costuming than the others.
While there is still time before “American Love Story” makes its debut on FX, TV fans will likely continue to keep a close eye on the style choices Murphy and his team make for the series from this point forward.