Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit
We all know how the first lady’s fashion can help enhance the president’s image. In November 1963, President Kennedy asked Jackie what she planned to wear for their trip to Dallas. The President and Jackie favored the pink ensemble already worn on six occasions. But did you know Jackie Kennedy’s pink suit is an approved copy?
Nowadays, fast fashion retailers are often sued for quickly manufacturing designer knock-offs made in China. But she had to have it when Jackie learned of Coco Chanel’s 1961 fall/winter collection, which featured the iconic two-piece pink set. Her father-in-law, Joseph Kennedy, discouraged Jackie from buying clothing from Parisian fashion houses so that she would appear more patriotic.
Enter Chez Ninon, a New York City dress salon that imports European-label designs and materials and sews in the United States. The Chez Ninon knock-off costs between $800 and $1,000, compared to over $10,000 for the custom-made Chanel suit. The suit is a pink bouclé double-breasted wool suit trimmed with a navy blue collar.
According to Lisa Waller Roger’s Fashion History website, Jackie’s pink suit was a hit at the Fort Worth breakfast that morning. The president beamed at the attention she drew, noting that “nobody notices what Lyndon and I wear.” A short plane ride later to Dallas, Jackie was presented with red roses upon disembarking the plane. The rest, as they say, is history.
Whatever happened to that pink suit?
The suit was never cleaned and never will be. It sits today, unfolded and shielded from light, in an acid-free container in a windowless room inside the National Archives in Maryland. When the 100-year deed to the suit expires in 2103, the Kennedy family descendants will renegotiate the matter.
Every August 19, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s birthday, I feel obligated to write something about her. I’m taking a different spin this year by exploring Jackie Kennedy’s iconic pink suit. What say you? What are your memories of the pink suit? Do share in the comments section.
As always, thank you for reading. Have a fabulous week.
