Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, the dignified and serene woman who was an A-list socialite, will be best remembered as the wife of assassinated US president, John F. Kennedy. She was born on July 28, 1929, in Long Island, New York and became America's closest thing to royalty. Her 'exquisite, equestrian-like grace' inspired books, films and fashion. She was a living fashion catalogue who was copied, envied and worshiped. Her favourite designer was Oleg Cassini who designed elegant outfits for Jackie. The sleeveless shift and pillbox hat became her trademark. Time magazine wrote in 1961 (Jan. 20)  "Whether she wants to or not, she will influence taste and style."

When her husband first became president, America was suspicious of the new first lady as she was spending a fortune redecorating the White House. She had also broke the bank buying new lingerie. She soon became loved by the nation as the world's most stylish woman. In the early 60's she was everyone's favourite pin-up. The public were fascinated by what she wore and many women copied her bouffant hairstyle. Jackie wore little pillbox hats on top of this hair style but many women disagreed with her choice of hats. Flair Editor Dorothy Dale said, "I don't believe that there can be any real elegance without a hat." Despite the opposition of Jackie's choice of hat there was no disagreement over her choice of clothes. The easy cut Chanel suits, that oozed early 60's formality, were Jackie's trademark.

On the day of JFK's death, Jackie was wearing a pink Channel suit. When it became splattered with blood, she refused to change clothes until the following day as she wanted everyone to know what had been done to her husband. She was 34 at the time.

In 1968 Aristotle Onassis gave Jackie a $1.5 million diamond engagement ring and the public accused her of being a gold-digger. After wedding him Jackie's look took a drastic turn as she donned those big, bug-eyed black plastic sunglasses.

Last updated: June 01, 2003

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