Carolyn’s Carpenter Jeans

Sarah Pidgeon was photographed in New York yesterday as production continues on Ryan Murphy’s American Love Story. Sarah looks so pretty with her hair pulled back like this and her face made up to look like she’s barely wearing any. Though her hair is more honey blonde than how Carolyn Bessette Kennedy wore hers (as you’ll see in a second), we actually have a lock on what the reference is. And those of us who are familiar with the Carolyn paparazzi catalogue can clock it right away. 

It was 1997, the summer after she and John were married. She’d been re-wearing outfits to see if the paps would lose interest – didn’t work, obvs – and this one showed up a few times that year: Carolyn in a black Gap top and Calvin Klein carpenter jeans. 

This is taking me back! And Calvin Klein should be restocking their carpenter supply (it’s all low stock or sold out right now) ASAP because Carolyn style is already trending and by the time the show airs early next year, the demand will be ridiculous. 

Back in the 90s, the carpenter jean was a wardrobe staple in our closets, no matter the gender. And the cut of them has come back around the last couple of years, but there are two defining characteristics with carpenter that are missing from some of the straight leg fits right now: the long slanted pocket and the side thigh strap. 

Seeing these shots of Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn and then looking back at the Carolyn originals is making me want to get a 2025 carpenter – because I have no idea where my old ones are, although when Jacek and I first started dating, I was rocking carpenter khakis all the time from the Gap. Gap doesn’t seem to have a true side strap carpenter right now (I’m sure it’s only a matter of time) but there are some good options out there. 

The GLFRND Elyse Trouser Cargo is on sale right now and I really like the wash here. 

But I also don’t mind a lighter wash and a better price point – Simon’s has a pair and they’re pretty cute. 

The Ardene Sunday Wide Leg Slouchy Carpenter Jean comes in two washes, I’m partial to the darker pair because the white stitching looks good, and at $55 they’re a steal. 

Everlane’s carpenter has an extra wash option – écru – and I really like how the pocket seam goes all the way down the leg. 

But the best one, in my opinion, and the closest to Sarah as Carolyn, is Reformation’s Diego Mid Rise Baggy Utility, in four washes, including seersucker. And now I think I might need a pair of seersucker carpenters, OMG. 

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