Sarah Pidgeon Ditches Carolyn Bessette-Inspired Fashion for 2026 Actors Awards

Published 03/01/2026, 10:26 PM EST

Ryan Murphy’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette has successfully revived the ’90s effortless charm and nostalgia, even amid a storm of strong and mixed reactions. Much of the credit goes to the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s 90’s minimalist fashion, which has attracted a new wave of admirers. Sarah Pidgeon, who portrayed Bessette Kennedy in the series, had also embraced that same ‘It-girl’ aesthetic throughout the show, carrying it during press tours and public appearances. 

However, it seems the actress is finally ready to shift the conversation, as she went for a look that is both bold and elegant at the 2026 Actors Awards.

Sarah Pidgeon debuts a style shift at the 2026 Actors Awards

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The first-ever red carpet theme at the 2026 Actors Awards was about to recreate Hollywood’s glamour of the 1920s and ’30s. However, Sarah Pidgeon opted for a baby pink Balenciaga gown from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. With a bubble-hem neckline, the gown flowed gracefully to the knee before transitioning into a drop-waist skirt, making the gown appear to be a soft, floral petal. 

She paired the look with pointed-toe heels and styled her hair in a loose, low ponytail. Her stylist, Emma Jade Morrison, added some sparkles to the understated ensemble with jewelry pieces from Rahaminov Diamonds. This look was quite a notable departure from the structured, architectural silhouettes Pidgeon wore while portraying Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in Love Story.

Throughout the show, which is still streaming online, she is seen in the sleek jackets and tailored coats Bessette-Kennedy famously wore during her outings with John F. Kennedy Jr. Her style has found a new love in this generation, as seen in the surge of Carolyn Bessette–Kennedy–inspired outfits posts across social media. But as Pidgeon believes, it is more than just the love for minimalist fashion.

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The actress recently spoke about Bessette-Kennedy’s fashion and what she learnt from it in her interview.

Sarah Pidgeon spoke about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s fashion

In her recent interview with The Run-Through with Vogue, Sarah Pidgeon was asked about what she has learnt from Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style and fashion. She opened up about how Bessette-Kennedy managed to be her own person while wearing the tailored pieces and great-looking coats. The actress added that the coats and jackets did not hide her aura.

"I think the thing that strikes me about Carolyn is that you really see her first despite wearing very architectural pieces like a lot of Yohji [Yamamoto],” she said.

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She further added that Bessette-Kennedy’s style helped her better understand both the woman herself and her relationship with the media. The actress discovered that Bessette-Kennedy was extremely private, and it was reflected in her clothing, particularly in designs by Yohji Yamamoto, who designed their clothes as armor. It is a legacy that Pidgeon carried with her for the show, and now perhaps it is time to make a shift.

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What do you think about Sarah Pidgeon's new look? Let us know in the comments. 

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Pritha Debroy

334 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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