Fashion icon and first lady of the USA: 5 style lessons from Jackie Kennedy

Jacqueline (Jackie) Kennedy served as the First Lady of the United States for just two years, but that was enough time to cement her place in history as a paragon of elegance and style. Her wardrobe was crafted not only by renowned French couturiers like Hubert de Givenchy but also by Hollywood tailors, such as Oleg Cassini, who became her personal stylist during her White House years. Jackie’s refined taste inspired millions, and one fashion house even named an iconic handbag after her.

 

 

1. The Pillbox Hat

Pillbox hats were all the rage in the 1950s and 60s, worn by stars like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor. Yet it was Jackie who turned this accessory into her signature. She first donned a pillbox hat at her husband John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. Jackie felt that traditional wide-brimmed hats didn’t suit her large head, and she didn’t want to ruin her famous bouffant hairstyle. The compact, brimless pillbox hat proved to be the perfect solution.

 

 

2. Monochrome Looks

As First Lady, Jackie favored minimalist monochrome outfits in pastel shades. One such ensemble became etched in history due to tragic circumstances. On the day of John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, she wore a pastel pink suit—a precise replica of a Chanel design from the Fall/Winter 1961 collection. The buttons were sent directly from Chanel’s atelier, and Mademoiselle Chanel herself was aware of the order for the First Lady. After the fatal shot, the suit was stained with blood, but Jackie refused to change out of it until she returned home. Today, this blood-stained outfit is preserved in the U.S. National Archives.

 

 

3. Strands of Pearls

Even before John F. Kennedy’s election victory, Jackie frequently appeared at events adorned with multiple strands of pearls—usually three. This accessory became her favorite, effortlessly complementing any outfit. It later emerged that the First Lady didn’t wear real pearls but rather costume jewelry. Her inspiration likely came from Gabrielle Chanel, who popularized layered faux pearls in the 1920s. Both Gabrielle and Jacqueline proved that elegance doesn’t depend on the price of your accessories.

 

 

4. White Gloves

In the early 1960s, white gloves—either wrist- or elbow-length—were a must-have for high-society women. They symbolized refinement and signaled that the wearer didn’t engage in manual labor. Jackie made this accessory even more popular, pairing it with suits, coats, and evening gowns. The First Lady’s example inspired countless women to follow suit.

 

 

5. The Elegant Handbag

Jackie Kennedy left her mark on Gucci’s legacy as well. The Constance bag, created in the 1950s with its half-moon shape and GG monogram, quickly won over fashion lovers, including Jackie. She was spotted with it so often that in 1961, Gucci renamed it the “Jackie.” Since then, it has remained one of the brand’s most coveted pieces, with new creative directors continually refreshing and reinterpreting its design.