Jackie Kennedy's classic sense of style is part of what makes her one of the most iconic first ladies in American history. A debutante-turned-reporter, she grew up among affluent communities on the East Coast and effortlessly transitioned to life in the White House when her husband, John F. Kennedy, was elected president in 1960.
Her dedication to her role and appreciation for culture made her a popular first lady, beloved for both her work and her incredible fashion moments. While in Washington, Jackie and her official dresser,Oleg Cassini, crafted a signature look based on traditional silhouettes and classic pieces. She was known for wearing pillbox hats atop her 1960s bouffant hairstyle, pearl necklaces and a lot of Chanel.
Following JFK's assassination in 1963, Jackie remarried and resided in New York City, embracing the bold patterns and daring hemlines of the late '60s and early 1970s.
Whether she was fulfilling duties as first lady or relaxing at the Kennedy compound on Cape Cod, Jackie had an innate elegance that has become her legacy.
Keep reading for a look back at some of Jackie Kennedy's best fashion moments.
Jackie Kennedy in Hyannis Port, Mass., in June 1953
While vacationing at the Kennedy family compound on Cape Cod, Jackie kept things casual in a sleeveless button-down shirt and shorts. She accessorized with a wide-brimmed sun hat.
Jackie Kennedy on her wedding day to John F. Kennedy in New York City on Sept. 12, 1953
Jackie's 1953 wedding dresshas remained one of the most iconic bridal looks of all time. Designed by Ann Lowe, the silk taffeta gown featured a portrait neckline, bouffant skirt and large rosettes.
Jackie Kennedy in Washington, D.C., in January 1961
Jackie attended her husband's historical presidential inauguration in 1961 wearing a duck-egg blue coat and matching pillbox hat by Halston. The hat style would go on to become synonymous with her first lady style.
Jackie Kennedy in Middleburg, Va., in April 1961
Jackie wore this black-and-white houndstooth suit multiple times while campaigning alongside JFK in the late '50s and early '60s. Designed by Bob Bugnand and inspired by the classic Chanel suit, it consisted of a three-quarter-sleeve cropped jacket and an A-line skirt with braided trim.
Jackie Kennedy in Washington, D.C., in June 1961
Jackie certainly looked the part of first lady at a dinner with the prime minister of Japan at the Japanese embassy in 1961. Her satin boatneck gown featured a voluminous skirt and ribbon detail and was made even more glamorous with the addition of opera gloves.
Jackie Kennedy in Hyannis, Mass., in August 1961
Jackie embodied effortless glamour while strolling through Hyannis in August 1961. The first lady wore a boatneck sheath dress and accessorized with gloves and a small purse. A lightweight headscarf was draped over her head and tied around her neck for a breezy, summery look.
Jackie Kennedy in England in 1961
In June 1961, the Kennedys made an official visit to England, where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip hosted them for a dinner at Buckingham Palace. For the occasion, Jackie wore an ice blue gown with a Bateau neckline and her signature white gloves.
Jackie Kennedy in India in March 1962
During her official tour of India,Jackie visited the Taj Mahalwearing a blue-and-green sheath dress. It was designed by her official White House dresser, Oleg Cassini, who wanted the ensemble to mirror local culture. The first lady also added white gloves and a matching purse.
Jackie Kennedy in Washington, D.C., in May 1962
Jackie looked pretty in pink for dinner honoring the Minister of State for Cultural Affairs of France. Her strapless A-line gown and white opera gloves were standard choices for the first lady, but her hairstyle strayed slightly from her signature simple bouffant; instead, the front of her hair was tied back using a bold accessory.
Jackie Kennedy at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in January 1963
For the unveiling ceremonies at the National Gallery of Art, Jackie wore a strapless gown with embroidery details throughout the dress and along the hemline. Her dangling diamond earrings and white opera gloves added a timeless regality.
Jackie Kennedy in Runnymede, Surrey, England, in May 1965
For the unveiling of a memorial for her late husband in England, Jackie wore a short-sleeve white suit and a matching hat. Of course, she also accessorized with a pearl necklace and pearl earrings.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in December 1965
In 1965, Jackie was adjusting to a new life in New York City. One December evening, she stepped out for a Broadway show wearing a glamorous black coat with a white fur collar. Rather than her usual pearls, she opted for dazzling gemstone earrings.
Jackie Kennedy in Hawaii in June 1966
Jackie went for a more laid-back look while visiting Hawaii in 1966. Her simple pink sheath dress perfectly matched the traditional lei around her neck and she accessorized with ivory pumps and a small purse.
Jackie Kennedy in Cambodia in November 1967
During a trip to Cambodia, Jackie donned a lime green sheath dress with pocket details and gold hardware. She carried a small beige purse and wore matching shoes, her hair in a classic bouffant style. As was typical of the former first lady, Jackie also accessorized with white gloves.
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Jackie Kennedy in New York City in December 1967
Jackie wore a floor-length mint green dress with three-quarter sleeves for a night out at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Her ornate belt and gold jewelry added even more glamour.
Jackie Kennedy in Greece in October 1968
Jackie's vacation looks always seemed to strike the perfect balance between chic and effortless, and her wardrobe for a 1968 trip to Greece was no different. While on a walk with her children the day before her wedding to Aristotle Onassis, the former first lady stuck with a basic black T-shirt, cropped white pants, and a black-and-white checkered scarf in her hand. Of course, she also wore her favorite oversized sunglasses.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in June 1969
Jackie's matching sets got a mod update in 1969 while accompanying her husband, Aristotle Onassis, to Kennedy Airport. She wore a jacket, belted miniskirt, a pair of pumps, a small purse and oversized sunglasses.
Jackie Kennedy in Capri, Italy,in June 1969
While vacationing in Capri with her husband, Aristotle Onassis, Jackie dipped her toes into the emerging fashions of the 1970s. She wore a T-shirt with patterned pants and a chain belt, accessorizing with sunglasses, hoop earrings and a ribbon in her hair for a playful touch.
Jackie Kennedy in Greece in August 1969
In 1969, Jackie was photographed leaving a nightclub early in the morning after a night of celebrating her 40th birthday in Greece. For the occasion, she wore a short, patterned dress with a long string of pearls and dangling sphere-shaped earrings.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in September 1969
Jackie embodied effortless New York style while biking around Central Park with her son, John F. Kennedy Jr. Her ribbed turtleneck sweater and pants were casual yet chic, while her chain belt and oversized sunglasses added her signature glamour to the look.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in October 1969
Jackie's style continued to get bolder as the 1970s approached. In October of 1969, she was spotted leaving a movie theater in New York City in a belted miniskirt and turtleneck sweater, a printed headscarf shielding her face from photographers.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in May 1970
The former first lady attended the opening night ofCompanyon Broadway wearing a black-and-white dress with a zig-zag pattern and sheer sleeves. She went without jewelry and accessorized only with the white belt around her waist.
Jackie Kennedy in Capri, Italy, in August 1970
Jackie fully embraced 1970s fashion while in Capri at the start of the decade. She wore a polka dot skirt with a wide metallic belt and black scoop-neck top, carrying a canvas and brown leather on her shoulder. Rather than the usual bouffant hairstyle she wore throughout the 1960s, Jackie experimented with a slicked-back look.
Jackie Kennedy in London in September 1970
Long before lounge clothing was standard celebrity airport attire, Jackie boarded a flight back to New York City from London's Heathrow Airport wearing a single-breasted navy blue suit by Yves Saint Laurent. She also wore a black turtleneck underneath as well as black leather gloves and oversized sunglasses.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in September 1970
While out in New York City with her husband, Jackie wore a ruffled black gown with sheer sleeves. She accessorized with massive dangling earrings with a red gemstone.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in May 1973
For a night out at the theater in New York City, Jackie expanded beyond her usual color palette and opted for a bright yellow wrap dress. The gown featured a polka dot pattern and ruffled details and she accessorized with statement earrings and a beaded clutch.
Jackie Kennedy in Washington, D.C., in 1974
In 1974, Jackie attended a dinner in honor of politician Averell Harriman wearing a red printed maxidress. A far cry from the boxy Chanel suits that she wore during her time at the White House, the former first lady looked trendy and modern in the flouncy gown.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in May 1974
Clearly fond of printed dresses, Jackie wore another eye-catching design while at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The gauzy, multicolored ensemble featured a keyhole neckline and a billowing silhouette.
Jackie Kennedy in Washington, D.C., in 1976
Jackie evoked bridal elegance in a white satin gown while out in D.C. in 1976. The dress was beautifully detailed with sheer panels around the neckline, floral embroidery and a tie around the waist. Jackie also added a clutch purse, earrings and beige shoes.
Jackie Kennedy in 1976
While out and about in 1976, Jackie stunned in a sheer, polka dot ensemble with ruffled details at the neckline, waist, sleeves and along the hemline. The feminine look also featured a white ribbon around the waist, and she accessorized with a clutch purse and statement earrings.
Jackie Kennedy in New York City in 1979
Jackie made her Met Gala debut in 1979 wearing a black ruffled gown by Valentino.
Jackie Kennedy in Boston in May 1982
In 1982, Jackie attended Boston University's commencement with her daughter Caroline wearing a polka dot dress, thin belt and a pair of pumps. She accessorized with a small purse and round sunglasses.
Jackie Kennedy in Hyannis Port, Mass., in July 1986
To celebrate her daughterCaroline Kennedy's 1986 wedding to Edwin Schlossberg, Jackie wore a mint green dress with cream-colored gloves, a clutch purse and statement earrings.
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