Mariska Hargitay Ditched Her Trench Coat For This Jacket Trend That Was Everywhere In The '90s

It's hard to picture "Law and Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay without thinking of her character Olivia Benson's iconic leather trench coat moments on the TV series. We've seen her rock the long outerwear in deep shades of burgundy, brown, and blue – with each one making a statement whenever she makes an entrance. Off-screen, Hargitay's personal style often mirrors that same edgy aesthetic, but in 2026, she made a surprising departure from her usual look in favor of a jacket trend that was everywhere in the '90s.

Attending the "Law and Order: Dun Dun Diner" pop-up event in Midtown Manhattan that October, Hargitay wore a long-sleeved leather bolero jacket. With its cropped silhouette and open-front design, the style was a fun way for fashion lovers in the 1990s to add a little pizazz to their outfits. Boleros came in both cap-sleeve to mid-sleeve versions, with various collar styles, and in a multitude of different fabrics. The crime-series star boldly gave this throwback trend a fresh spin, pairing her leather bolero with a black top, a matching high-waisted black leather column maxi skirt, and pointed-toe stiletto heels.

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With this bolero, Hargitay also tapped into one of the '90s trends that are making a comeback for fall. Reimagined versions of the style have already made their way onto the Fall/Winter 2026 runways from the likes of Chanel, Zimmermann, and Alexander McQueen.

Mariska Hargitay isn't the only celebrity to have recently unleashed a fashionable bolero jacket moment. Zendaya made quite the splash during Paris Fashion Week in October 2026, wearing a custom ivory lace Louis Vuitton bolero featuring voluminous, ruffled sleeves and a structured high collar. She paired the high-fashion piece with dark-wash jeans, a simple white top, and white pumps. What's even more impressive is that she opted to repeat the look after previously wearing the same outerwear over a Louis Vuitton lace cutout dress with a cascading hem at the Paris premiere of "The Odyssey" just months earlier.

Another sizzling fashion statement came from Florence Pugh when she wore a lavish, chartreuse-colored puffed-sleeve bolero jacket over a custom Vivienne Westwood Couture gown at the 2026 premiere of "East of Eden." Zoë Kravitz also wowed onlookers at the Saint Laurent runway show in an ab-baring bolero jacket and pants set, featuring a striking embroidered gold metallic foil fabric from the label's Spring/Summer 2027 ready-to-wear collection.

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Like these iconic '90s styles from "Clueless" that are perfectly on trend today, these celeb looks simply remind us just how versatile the bolero can be. Stylist and consultant Caitlin Burke agrees, as she highlighted to InStyle similar pairings as great ways to wear the bolero. "The more fitted silhouette pairs well with a larger bottom, like baggy low-rise trousers or a full skirt," she told the publication. "You can also wear it over an evening dress, which is less guesswork than separates."