So, the other day, I found myself just staring into my closet. You know how it is, a whole bunch of clothes, but nothing felt quite right. I was craving something… timeless, something that just always works. And somehow, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis came to mind. I thought, okay, let’s really take a proper look at her style, figure out what the whole deal was.
I started off pretty simply, just scrolling through loads of pictures online. And the very first thing that jumped out at me? The sheer simplicity of it all. It wasn’t about being flashy or over the top. It was all about clean lines, things that actually fit well. You could tell she, or whoever was advising her, really understood tailoring.
Then I decided to dig a little deeper. Everyone knows that famous pink suit, don’t they? The one she was wearing on that terrible day in Dallas. And here’s a little tidbit I stumbled upon – I read somewhere that it might not have even been a genuine Chanel! Some folks say it was a very good copy, a knockoff, made so she could wear American-made versions of Parisian designs. Can you believe that? But you know what? It didn’t really matter if it was ‘real’ or not. She made it iconic. That taught me something important right away: it’s not always about the fancy label.
I kept noticing those big sunglasses too. They were practically a signature. So, I actually tried wearing a pair of my own oversized ones more often. And it’s funny, you do feel a bit more put-together, a bit more shielded from the world, even if you’re just popping out for some groceries. It’s a small thing, but it makes a difference.
My Little Experiments and What I Found
And the scarves! She was always wearing a scarf. Elegantly tied around her head, or just perfectly draped. I pulled out a few old silk scarves I had tucked away and started playing around with them. Let me tell you, getting that ‘effortless chic’ look is a lot harder than she made it seem! But even my clumsy attempts added a little something. It was the same when I thought about the trench coats she often wore. I dug my old one out from the back of the wardrobe. Threw it on, and instantly, the whole outfit felt a bit more polished. These are classic pieces for a reason, I guess.
What I really began to appreciate, the more I looked, was this sort of timeless, elegant equestrian-inspired style she often had. It was never too girly or frilly, but always incredibly feminine. That’s a tricky balance to strike, but she absolutely nailed it. I even found myself looking at my own blazers and tailored trousers in a new light, thinking about how to get that sharp, yet understated, silhouette.
Then, of course, you learn about the designers she worked with. Oleg Cassini was a big one during the White House years, crafting that iconic First Lady look. And later on, after she became Onassis, she was dressed by the likes of Carolina Herrera, Chanel (the real deal, I imagine, by then!), and Oscar de la Renta. It all made sense. These are designers known for their enduring elegance, not for chasing fleeting trends.
This whole exploration kind of made me rethink my own approach to clothes, to be honest. I used to be a bit of a trend-chaser. You know, buying lots of cheaper things that would be out of fashion by the next season. Looking at Jackie’s style, it’s so clear that it was about investing in quality pieces that last. Things that have a certain inherent grace. My grandmother used to tell me, “Buy less, choose well.” It took me ages to truly understand what she meant, but this little style investigation really hammered it home.
It wasn’t just about looking wealthy, either. It was about looking appropriate for the occasion, looking smart, and above all, looking confident. I think that’s the feeling I was trying to understand, or maybe even capture a tiny bit of. So, I started by just trying to be more mindful when choosing clothes. Paying more attention to the structure, the fabric, how things actually fit me. Small changes, really, but they add up.
So, yeah, that was my little journey into the world of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s style. It wasn’t about trying to become her, obviously. That would be silly. It was more about drawing inspiration from that timeless quality she had. Finding a few key ideas, a few classic elements, that can make you feel good, feel put-together, in your own way. And it all started from just staring at a messy closet. Funny how these things happen, isn’t it?
