Like Mother, Like Muse: How Nepo Babies Are Inheriting Style
On red carpets and at major events, celebrity children are increasingly stepping out in looks that directly echo, or quite literally reuse, the fashion moments that once defined their parents. Rather than chasing trends, these nepo babies are engaging with style as something inherited: a set of visual cues, silhouettes and attitudes passed down over time. In an era shaped by archival fashion, sustainability and nostalgia, this approach feels especially relevant.
When Apple Martin wore one of Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic gowns, the moment stood out for its simplicity. The look wasn’t heavily styled or reframed for shock value. Instead, it felt natural; an acknowledgment of Paltrow’s understated ’90s aesthetic and a reminder that red carpet fashion can hold personal meaning. The choice reflected a broader shift toward valuing longevity over novelty.
Photo via ELLE Magazine (LEFT) Photo via Page Six(RIGHT)
That same sensibility appears in the ongoing style parallels between Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford. Kaia’s preference for clean lines, minimal accessories and classic dresses mirrors Cindy’s approach during her supermodel peak. What makes the comparison compelling is how little it feels forced. Kaia’s style doesn’t replicate her mother’s look exactly; it adapts it for a generation that prioritizes restraint and polish over excess.
Photo via ELLE Magazine Photo via L’OFFICIEL USA
With Amelia Gray Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, the connection is more overt but equally intentional. Lisa Rinna’s body-conscious, high-impact fashion choices from the early 2000s have been recontextualized through Amelia’s embrace of vintage silhouettes and bolder styling. What once read as over-the-top now feels timely, reflecting how younger generations are reassessing past aesthetics rather than discarding them.
Photo via @ameliagray on Instagram
For Brooke Shields and Grier Henchy, the link lies in classic eveningwear. Brooke’s long-standing association with elegant, feminine gowns has carried over to Grier’s red carpet appearances, where similar silhouettes and styling choices create a clear visual continuity. The effect is less about trend revival and more about consistency; proof that certain looks remain relevant across decades.
Photo via PEOPLE
The resemblance between Salma Hayek and Valentina Paloma Pinault feels particularly striking. Valentina’s red gown, reminiscent of Salma’s iconic 1990s red carpet looks, highlights how signature elements — color, fit, confidence — can carry forward without feeling dated. It underscores the idea that style is often learned through exposure rather than instruction.
Photo via E! News(LEFT) Photo via PEOPLE (RIGHT)
A similar dynamic appears with Carys Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Carys has worn the same black lace dress her mother wore in the mid-2000s, creating one of the clearest examples of fashion as inheritance. Rather than reinterpreting the look, she preserves it, allowing the dress’s original elegance to speak for itself and underscoring the lasting appeal of a well-defined style identity.
Photo via InStyle(LEFT) Photo via Vogue (RIGHT)
Together, these examples point to a broader shift in how celebrity style is understood. Fashion, for this generation, is less about constant reinvention and more about continuity. By revisiting and re-wearing their parents’ iconic looks, nepo babies are framing style as something with history and staying power.
In a fashion landscape increasingly focused on longevity, these inherited aesthetics feel practical, restrained, and current — proof that looking back can still move style forward.