Our Celebrity Style Steal this week is a woman who was a style icon for our Boomer generation, and who has remained a style icon for generations since – Jackie Kennedy.
Now, it is pretty unusual for us to feature as our Style Steal a celebrity who died 23 years ago, in May 1994, to be exact.
But you savvy 50-plus ladies will be aware that the movie “Jackie” is in cinemas now. It stars Natalie Portman as the wife and widow of the slain US president John F Kennedy and that is why we have chosen Jackie Kennedy for our Style Steal.
The film, which has already earned Portman a Golden Globe, focuses on the assassination of JFK and the period immediately after that. Naturally, the film highlights the sensationally chic style that Jackie displayed, both as First Lady and later as dignified widow. Her signature style was copied at the time, and was revived in the 1980s when a ladylike, Jackie O dress was a must-have in every chic woman’s wardrobe. Jackie, of course, was by then married to Aristotle Onassis, hence “Jackie O”!
Jan and Cyndy can both dimly recall A-line shift dresses and low-heel court shoes that were the early 60s fashion must-haves in which Mrs Kennedy looked so unbelievably chic. However, they think that the 1980s reinterpretations, effectively tributes to Jackie’s style were infinitely more flattering than the original 1960s versions.
The difficult fashion dilemma for those of us who are old enough to remember, however dimly, the tragic events in Dallas in November 1963, is how to achieve the Jackie look without looking like a pastiche or as if we are in fancy-dress?
On the whole, we think it’s best to allude to Jackie O’s timeless style rather than adopt it wholesale. It is a style that is especially perfect for a formal daytime occasion. But if you want to look more like Jackie, here’s how:
We don’t suggest copying her ‘Big’ hair – her hair was of its time. A swingy bob or any sleekly blow-dried style perfectly offsets those classic Jackie O frocks. A sleek, simple up-do can also help achieve that polished, Jackie look. Basically it is any style that does not involve curls– she was the antithesis of Cheryl Cole (or whatever she’s now called). So think sleek and polished.
Ditto the make-up: immaculate maquillage is also key. It should be enough to enhance, but never too much. Jackie Bouvier was, after all, a WASP, so her make-up would never, ever look overdone. Essentials for present-day Jackies include a mid-tone lipstick with only a hint of gloss, natural-looking blusher and great brows.
Then there are accessories. Handily for us, Jackie O-style accessories keep returning every few years. They’ve never really gone away, they’ve just evolved. Right now, any smallish bag, with a top handle would do the trick. In footwear, an elegant court shoe with a mid-heel or a low-heel would work perfectly. Nothing too teeteringly high; Jackie would have considered it vulgar.
When it comes to hats, we would urge caution. The pill-box was, of course, the hat that Jackie made her own. Since the 1960s, the pill-box shape has come and gone. Indeed, there are pill-box hats around this season, now sometimes known as “perchers” for obvious reasons. There are several factors pertaining to the pill-box hat that are important to keep in mind. One is that size matters and two is that the angle at which it is worn is important.
One of the most iconic images of Jackie is, of course, in the outfit she wore in Dallas – that neat pink-and-navy suit with matching hat. The hat was quite substantial and worn on the crown of her head. However, at other times she wore them smaller or larger, or at an angle. If you want a pill-box hat, try different sizes and try wearing them at different angles.
In clothing, she had a natural sense of style which the designers of the day loved and exploited. Her signature look was uncluttered, understated and elegant and she certainly did not wear anything too fitted or too tight. That’s because Jackie was the Queen of WASP style, though she gave WASP style a kick and a twist to make it more glamorous. The key-words for anyone seeking Jackie O style are: uncluttered, elegant and understated. We also said nothing should be too tight. However, in tailoring, it is perfectly within the Jackie style book to wear a close-fitting skirt, providing it’s not too short, and providing it’s balanced out with a ladylike jacket.
Almost any simple dress can be given the Jackie treatment by keeping the look uncluttered. Just add the right accessories. And, then, of course, there were her signature Big Sunglasses. Jackie Kennedy wore oversized sunnies seemingly 24/7 long before Anna Wintour. So, add a pair for instant Jackieness…
Do you love the Jackie O style? We’d love to hear your comments. Or maybe have a pic of you in Jackie style from way back when? Send it in and we’ll create a Jackie board on Instagram!
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