You know, I was just flipping through channels the other day, seeing all the same stuff, and it just hit me – I needed a bit of a style refresh, something classic, something with real elegance. Modern fashion just feels so… fleeting sometimes. And then it popped into my head: Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s. Now, there was a woman who knew style.
I wasn’t aiming to make exact copies, mind you. That’s not really my thing, and frankly, who has the time or the resources for that? But I wanted to capture that feeling, that incredible poise she had. So, I decided to make it a little project for myself, see if I could bring a bit of that 60s Jackie vibe into my own wardrobe.
My Starting Point: Remembering and Researching
First things first, I dug out some old magazines my mom had kept. You know the ones, with the slightly faded pictures. I also spent a good evening just looking at photos of her, trying to really see what made her outfits work. It wasn’t just the clothes, it was the whole package.
I started jotting down the key things I noticed, the real standouts of her 1960s look:
- The famous pillbox hats. Couldn’t ignore those!
- Those clean, simple dress shapes. Lots of A-lines and sheath dresses.
- The boxy, often collarless, jackets. Very chic.
- Three-quarter length sleeves on so many things.
- Pearls. Single strand, double strand, she wore them so well.
- Low, elegant heels or smart flats. Nothing too fussy.
- And of course, the oversized sunglasses. Instantly iconic.
The Hunt: Finding My Jackie Pieces
Okay, so with my list in hand, I started the actual hunt. First stop, my own closet. You’d be surprised what you can find lurking in the back! I actually unearthed a simple navy sheath dress that I’d forgotten about. Perfect starting point.
Then, I hit a couple of my favorite thrift stores. This took some patience, I tell ya. Lots of rummaging. But persistence paid off! I found this fantastic little cream-colored jacket. The cut was almost right, just needed a tiny bit of altering, which I managed to do myself with my trusty old sewing machine. And can you believe it, I even found a pair of short white gloves in pristine condition!
The pillbox hat was a bit trickier. I wasn’t about to try and make one from scratch, though the thought did cross my mind for a mad second. After a bit of searching around at a local antique fair, I found a simple felt one that did the trick. It wasn’t an exact match to any specific one she wore, but it had the right feel.
Putting It All Together: My Attempt at 60s Chic
Alright, moment of truth. I started playing around with combinations. For my first go, I paired that navy sheath dress with the cream jacket I’d tweaked. Added a simple string of pearls I already owned, the white gloves, and some low black heels. I have to say, when I looked in the mirror, I felt pretty darn elegant. It was amazing how such simple pieces could create such a polished look.
Then, I tried a more casual, but still smart, daytime look. I had an A-line skirt in a soft wool, and I paired that with a crisp white blouse I tucked in. Popped on the pillbox hat, added my biggest pair of sunglasses, and voilà! It felt very “Jackie on a day out.”
I kept my hair fairly simple, just neat and a bit of volume. Nothing too over-the-top. Her makeup was always quite understated too, so I stuck to that.
What I Learned from My Little Style Adventure
This whole exercise was actually a lot of fun. It really showed me that you don’t need a ton of super expensive, trendy items to look put-together. Jackie’s style, especially in the early 60s, was all about clean lines, good tailoring (even if you have to do it yourself!), and a few key accessories.
There’s a real power in that kind of understated elegance. It felt sophisticated but not stuffy. And honestly, it was a nice break from my usual jeans and t-shirt routine. I think I’ll definitely be trying to work some of these Jackie-inspired elements into my everyday style more often. Sometimes, looking back is the best way to move forward, right?
