Sarah Pidgeon Channels Carolyn Bessette at Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Sarah Pidgeon continued to dress the part at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

The actress known for playing Carolyn Bessette in Love Story, alongside Paul Anthony Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr., wore a custom Calvin Klein dress to the Oscars after-party.

The stunning, silver-white beaded dress isn’t just fashionable—it also pays tribute to Carolyn’s career in sales and public relations with the brand. Like the subjects of the FX/Hulu series produced by Ryan Murphy, the brand itself is experiencing a resurgence in popularity and interest.

Stylist Emma Jade Morrison worked with actress Pidgeon again, this time for the Vanity Fair party held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Pidgeon, 29, looked radiant with simple, natural makeup and carried a unique silver purse shaped like a flask. Morrison has been styling Pidgeon during her recent appearances for the film Love Story.

Several of Pidgeon’s outfits worn while filming were inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic fashion sense. The actress found herself captivated by Bessette’s style during the nine-episode series, which meticulously recreated looks ranging from a simple white button-down shirt to the famous Narciso Rodriguez slip dress Bessette wore at her 1996 wedding to JFK Jr.

Pidgeon explained to Vogue that they sourced clothing similar to what Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore, even finding pieces from the same collections. “We located her Prada and Valentino coats, and tailored Levi’s to match her exact fit,” she said, describing how they recreated Bessette’s style through fashion.

She also mentioned the amazing shoes she got to wear, including Manolo Blahnik heels and Prada boots. She joked that the show definitely improved her ability to walk in heels!

Although Pidgeon admits Jackie Kennedy Onassis will always remain somewhat mysterious – partly due to the tragic circumstances of her death in a 1999 plane crash and her private nature – the actress hopes her portrayal made Jackie seem more approachable and human, even if not entirely someone viewers could easily identify with.

Pidgeon hopes people will get a better sense of the person behind the fashion, not just the image. While known for her simple, iconic style, Pidgeon discovered she was also lively, humorous, and had a spirited side.

See more of the knockout fashion the stars wore to the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party: