On the birth anniversary of the First Lady of Style — Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, here’s a look at her glorious fashion legacy
Jacqueline Kennedy (in blue) in her statement pearl neckpiece with Indira Gandhi and the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. PIC COURTESY/BOUDEWIJN HUIJGENS ON GET ARCHIVE
Few former American First Ladies have been as enduring as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. In addition to being well-regarded as an astute cultural ambassador of the United States of America, she was also hailed as an international style icon whose legacy is still imprinted upon many designers, celebrities and fashion-lovers.
Jackie O, as she was lovingly known, was a staple on best-dressed lists throughout her life and was a trendsetter whose sophisticated tastes were often ahead of their times. On her 95th birth anniversary, here’s a closer look at some of her style choices that still hold their own as popular trends and continue to be reinterpreted in imaginative ways by contemporary fashionistas.
Jackie’s pick Pearls
Jackie O has been credited with transforming pearls into an everyday style statement. As Mihika Bhanot, a personal branding expert and image consultant, explains, “Her style was so iconic because it was classic and minimal, while being [relatively] affordable and easy to replicate. She often included a pearl necklace, either a single strand or a triple strand design, with dresses and coats.” To make pearls more contemporary, you can pair them with edgier pieces such as distressed denim and a white shirt combination, or with pastel coloured tank tops, Bhanot advises.
Jacqueline flaunts a pearl neckpiece. PIC COURTESY/@sumpearls (right) Harry Styles completes his look with pearls. PIC COURTESY/@SHOPATELJE
You could also experiment with bejewelled shorts or skirts with dangling pearls or pearl hoops for a more youthful touch. This contrast adds a fresh twist to the traditional pearl necklace, while still retaining some of the timeless charm.
Mihika Bhanot
Bhanot adds that since pearls work very well with denims, linen and cotton fabrics as well as with satin and other glossier fabrics, they are surprisingly versatile everyday picks. Pearls have also found a place in men’s accessory lists, thanks to Harry Styles, who is partial to pearl necklaces and earrings.
Jackie’s pick
Tailored skirt suits
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis during her visit to New Delhi in 1962. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
As First Lady, Jackie O favoured a polished, formal look and often reached for tailored skirt suits in solid neutrals and, sometimes, statement colours including cherry red and bright pink.
(From left) Rihanna and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in tailored skirt suits. PICS COURTESY/@mybinoculars
While her preferred accessories were a pillbox hat and gloves, and her suits typically featured conservative cuts and thicker fabric, current-day versions of the trend include tweed blazer sets and linen blazers with matching miniskirts, “An oversized boyfriend blazer can make suit sets feel less stiff and formal, while cropped jackets and pops of pastels can breathe freshness. For those who prefer experimentation, add textural contrast to a monochromatic suit by adding a leather or satin skirt; however, make sure that the colours match perfectly to retain a chic aesthetic,” Bhanot shares.
Jackie’s pick Oversized sunglasses
Although the former First Lady was known for her fairly classic and effortless ensembles, she was also partial to statement-making accessories including large sunglasses. Her collection included several shapes, including round, square and hexagon styles. But all her sunglasses had a distinctive narrow bridge to retain their feminine touch. Although oversized sunglasses will always be in fashion, it’s important to pick the right pair for you, Bhanot says.
Jacqueline in her signature oversized sunglasses. PIC COURTESY/@allesia_illy (right) Deepika Padukone rocks square sunglasses. PIC COURTESY/ @deepikapadukone on Instagram
The frames should not touch your cheeks or lift off your nose when you smile. If you have a very petite face, make sure your frames let your eyebrows peek through to avoid a bug-eyed effect. If you have a diamond, heart or square face shape, opt for sunglasses with curved edges to soften your angular features. If you have a rounder shaped face, square, cat eye and geometric styles will add definition and contrast. Finally, stick to lightweight materials such as acetate, titanium and stainless steel for more comfortable wear.
Jackie’s pick
Silk scarves
The ‘It’ girl accessory for this season — statement silk scarves, were first sported in the public eye by Jackie O — whether in the form of face-framing carrés that were knotted under the chin while on holiday or in longer, softer stoles that were tucked into the front of her jacket or coat. As it turns out, silk scarves have never quite faded away from the fashion scene and, in 2025, you can spot them on handbags, worn as tops, paired with a simple tee for a wow-factor element, or even knotted across the hips for a Y2K throwback.
Jacqueline Kennedy wears a silk scarf. PIC/GETTY IMAGES (right) Knot your scarves around the hips for a Y2K throwback. PIC COURTESY/@valerie.kei
“When it comes to scarves, there’s no one single way to do it right. As in the case of Jackie O, a scarf adds softness, a pop of colour and a touch of individuality to an otherwise simple or classic look. Let your personality be your best guide when deciding how to add a scarf to your ensemble,” she signs off.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
