Style Spotlight: Jacqueline Onassis
When society typically recalls its fashion icons, it’s easy for the majority’s minds to focus on the renowned models and celebrities paparazzied in today’s media. Yet, from a broader lens, it’s apparent that the foundation of these icons’ inspiration is still drawn from history. Fashion is more than just a piece of clothing; it reflects how we live and our ideas, thus, telling a bigger story about the subject. One of the biggest influences on style, whose timeless looks definitely mirror her own story, is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
While widely known for her marriage to Senator John F. Kennedy, who later became president, Jacqueline (Jackie) Onassis has lived her own fascinating life as a socialite, photographer, and gracious political figure. She embraced everything that came with being in the public eye, and in creatively showcasing herself with ease, she sparkled. As Jackie shifted through the phases of her life, with various missions and mindsets, her passion for style remained.
With her first job being a photographer and reporter for the Washington-Times Herald Newspaper in the city, her fashion sense defined "effortlessly chic." Running around the city and interviewing important figures, she wore suit dresses and collared tops and created a sleek uniform as a working woman. After meeting John F. Kennedy in 1951 and getting married two years later, her spotlight in the political arena illuminated.
Wearing elegant gowns, accessorizing with jewelry, and maintaining voluminous hair at galas and ceremonies, Jackie presented herself as put-together. She always looked polished, choosing accessories such as white gloves, pillow box hats, and her iconic pearl necklaces to elevate her clothes of choice. While beautiful, these looks were another version of a uniform, as this section of her life was less than lively. While appearing “put-together” on the outside, she was struggling. She experienced a miscarriage, her husband was dealing with health issues, and it was a very stressful period during his presidential candidacy. Even on a casual day, Jackie opted for muted shift dresses or matching sets, keeping her image young yet professional; so despite her hardships, it was the ideal combination of clothing to enter her future lifestyle.
In 1961, John F. Kennedy became the nation's 35th president, and Jackie shifted into a more imaginative fashion phase. She was the youngest first lady in almost 80 years, and in showcasing musicians, actors, philanthropists, and more, she worked to revive The White House and its value. She strived to bring attention to the arts and history and traveled all around the world to understand other cultures. Jackie experimented with colors and prints, stacking her jewelry, and using clothing layers like shawls to create depth. Not only were these items more fun, but they also challenged the heteronormative trends that threaded through most of her previous looks. She transitioned into pantsuits and bolder items. Her clothes were fearless, and so was she.
Another shift occurred when her husband was assassinated in 1963. After dealing with the aftermath, Jackie moved to New York with her children, and that’s where she resided for the rest of her life. After years that involved a troubling re-marriage, becoming a second widow again, and receiving unwanted attention from paparazzi, oversized trench coats, quarter-sleeve tops, and scarves were staples in her closet to minimize attention. Since the media clearly ignored her wishes, these less formal looks were admired as the perfect everyday style.
After recovering from her losses and difficulties, she found herself again. In the 1970s, she wore vibrant colors, chunky accessories, and unique silhouettes to museums and cinemas. Closer to her death, Jacqueline Onassis could be spotted in items that retreated back to many that she wore before becoming First Lady. She sported suits and statement pieces, making her presence known before she passed from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1994. 28 years later in 2022, her infamous style can be spotted through everyday apparel, in movies, and in the popularized trends today, such as draped pearls and strapless dresses. Her appearance tells a story, and it’s a story that makes her a legacy for the American public and the fashion world alike.