Today’s post comes from Marisa Hawley, intern in the National Archives Strategy and Communications office.
As part of the “six weeks of style” celebration to recognizethe Foundation for the National Archives’ partnership withDC Fashion Week, we are showcasing fashion-related records from our holdings. This week’s fashion theme is1960s: The Times (and Fashion) They Are A’ Changin
When John F. Kennedy became President of the United States at the age of 43, he became not only the youngest President elected but arguably one of the funniest, intelligent, and charismatic. The charm and optimism that he and his family embodied captivated the American public in an entirely new way, and his term—though tragically cut short—was affectionately known as Camelot. If President Kennedy was the King Arthur of this golden era, however, there is no doubt that Jacqueline Kennedy was the trendsetting queen.
First Lady Jackie Kennedy, along with her husband, firmly believed that the White House was a place where America’s thriving culture was to be promoted, showcased, and celebrated. Her respect for the arts was also reflected in her own signature style as she became a symbol of sophisticated fashion.
Although Jackie discouraged the excessive focus on her appearance in the media, her unique and refined wardrobe certainly set a new standard during her time in Washington. She quickly became an international style icon, influencing the fashion of not only women across America, but around the world—and continues to do so today.
In this photograph of a presentation of a silver pitcher to the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Jackie is pictured in one of her distinctive looks: a bold red ensemble of a boxy jacket with a straight skirt.
Jackie’s own personal fashion icon was Audrey Hepburn, which is why the First Lady’s style typically reflected Hepburn’s old Hollywood glamour. Jackie was known for wearing classic, tailored suits and ladylike dresses in strong, solid colors—especially pink, yellow, red, and ivory.
Her daywear generally consisted of simple sleeveless dresses, wrist-length gloves, and strands of pearls or a brooch. Around the White House, it was common to see Jackie in high-waist trousers with a trim blouse, turtleneck, or cashmere sweater. She almost always topped off her daytime look with her iconic black, oversized sunglasses—a trend that has yet to go out of style.
When she was traveling to foreign countries—like India—she was mindful to dress according to the custom of the host nation.
For eveningwear, Jackie usually went for the sleeveless, single-colored dress with a bateau neckline—one that runs horizontally, front and back, across the collarbone.
She also could be found at nighttime events wearing long sheath dresses or off-the-shoulder gowns. Jackie is pictured at a White House dinner here with a white dress and matching elbow-length gloves.
Perhaps her most recognizable outfit is the watermelon-pink suit with her trademark pillbox hat that she wore the day her husband was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
This iconic pink suit was designed as an exact replica of the Chanel suit with Chanel fabric, but made in the U.S. to avoid political criticism. Despite the bloodstains from the tragic motorcade, Jackie insisted on keeping the suit on for the swearing in of Lyndon B. Johnson later that day.
The suit is currently housed in the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, although the pink hat has disappeared before the rest of the outfit made its way to the Archives.
Another of her pillbox hats, however, is available for viewing inthe National Archives online collection.
Examine more “signature styles” and history-making signatures in our current exhibition,“Making Their Mark: Stories Through Signatures,”in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.
To further explore Jacqueline Kennedy’s signature style, check out the First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Collection online at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library website.
I'm thrilled to delve into the fascinating world of Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic fashion and its historical significance. My extensive knowledge of fashion history, particularly the styles of the 1960s and the cultural impact of figures like Jackie Kennedy, allows me to provide insightful commentary.
The article highlights Jacqueline Kennedy's role as a trendsetting queen during the 1960s, particularly during her time as the First Lady of the United States. As the wife of President John F. Kennedy, she not only brought charm and optimism to the White House but also became a symbol of sophisticated fashion, setting new standards that continue to influence style today.
Jackie's personal fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn, greatly influenced her style, characterized by classic, tailored suits and ladylike dresses in strong, solid colors such as pink, yellow, red, and ivory. Her daywear often featured simple sleeveless dresses, wrist-length gloves, and strands of pearls or a brooch. High-waist trousers paired with a trim blouse, turtleneck, or cashmere sweater were common around the White House, complemented by her iconic black, oversized sunglasses.
When traveling abroad, Jackie was mindful of dressing according to the customs of the host nation, showcasing her cultural awareness and diplomatic approach to fashion. For eveningwear, she often opted for sleeveless, single-colored dresses with a bateau neckline or long sheath dresses and off-the-shoulder gowns. These choices contributed to her status as an international style icon.
One of Jackie's most recognizable outfits is the watermelon-pink suit with a pillbox hat that she wore on the day of her husband's assassination. This iconic pink suit, designed as an exact replica of a Chanel suit but made in the U.S. to avoid political criticism, is currently housed in the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Despite bloodstains from the tragic event, Jackie insisted on keeping the suit on for the swearing-in of Lyndon B. Johnson later that day.
This article also invites readers to explore more about Jacqueline Kennedy's signature style through the "First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Collection" online at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library website. It provides a deeper understanding of her impact on fashion and culture during a pivotal era in American history.
