A guide to style from Jackie Kennedy
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is known by many names, but is always remembered as a wife, mother, and graceful US First Lady who championed the arts while also embodying a timeless fashion icon. Check out this gallery for a closer look at her chic style and legendary pieces.
Oversized sunglasses
Jackie incorporated these enormous glasses into her standard wardrobe likely for a sense of privacy, but they also lent her an air of understated stardom.
Headscarves
The easiest way to make casual outfits look chic is by pairing those huge sunglasses with a headscarf.
The pillbox hat
Jackie popularized this style of hat, often designed for her specifically by American fashion designers.
The pillbox hat
She famously wore a pink suit and a pillbox hat on the day her husband was assassinated.
Monochromatic looks
Jackie taught the fashion world that white on white makes a more powerful visual statement than nautical stripes.
Perfectly coiffed halo of hair
Her voluminous hairdo was inseparable from her signature look.
She was having a really great hair day
And she knew it.
Color-blocking with different pieces
Instead of a traditional gown, the First Lady opted for a black square-neck top and a marigold yellow floor-length skirt, accented with bright white gloves.
Elbow-length gloves
The First Lady loved finishing off her formal attire with a pair of long white gloves, which also made an appearance in her more casual outfits as well.
Strapless gowns
A bit of a daring move in the 1960s, Jackie pulled off demure strapless gowns with grace.
The off-the-shoulder trend is still going strong
She matched the White House's royal guests with ease.
She even pulled off the single-shoulder dress
Her state dinner gowns were showstoppers every time.
Sticking to the basics
She looks effortlessly chic in a ribbed turtleneck paired with no-frills pants.
Stylish coats
Long before Meghan Markle, Jackie's seemingly endless array of smart coats captured the public's attention.
Stylish coats
The First Lady had many coats that made a statement while requiring minimal effort on her part. And who doesn't want maximum effect with minimal effort?
The trademark collar
Not quite a turtleneck or a crew neck, Jackie favored the elegant and elevated cut on dresses, blouses, and jackets.
Playing with patterns
She could go from sharp presidential looks to playful patterned cocktail dresses without batting an eye.
Experimenting with shapes
Though the A-line was a popular choice for her and many others at the time, Jackie played with boxy tops and shaped skirts, and vice versa.
Dialing up the contrast
By using standout colors or juxtaposing light and dark, Jackie threw outfits together that would be remembered for years after her passing.
A bold woman needs a bold cape
She had some dramatic pieces in her wardrobe, and the cape was one of them.
A bold woman needs a bold cape
Long or short, plain or patterned, she tried them all.
The mature use of bows
Jackie often used bows to either add some femininity to more masculine outfits or to accentuate her waist.
The mature use of bows
She showed that bows don't have to be left to young girls' ponytails, but that they can be used with class and style.
Equestrian-inspired aesthetic
With an extensive past in horseback riding, Jackie popularized the casual equestrian style of high collars, fitted jackets, and high boots.
Mystery-chic
If you ever want to look like a woman who has a great depth beneath her surface, model your outfit after this one.
Having confidence in your basics
She could wear a very simple all-black outfit but pair it with items of her own unique style, whether it was loafers and white gloves or pearls and a mile-high hairdo.
Queen of the waistline
Endowed with a characteristic slim waist, Jackie knew how to make her wardrobe work for her own shape.
Embracing the dynamism of a belt
She showed that an ornate belt can both shape your waist and draw attention to it, and that it can also break up too much of the same color.
Keeping up with your decade
In her 40s, Jackie was still embracing the times and rocking styles of the '70s.
She passed her style on
Like a good mother, Jackie was often seen coordinating the First Family's outfits as soon as they could walk.
And finally, the invisible accessory
She had a signature fragrance that she wore almost daily, called Lovely Patchouli 55. It mixed notes of bergamot and amber with a musky patchouli.
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