People magazine recently had a spread of all of the first ladies in recent history. Jackie O. (Or rather Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) really jumped out at me. No one in those pictures came close to her iconic style.
The recent inauguration certainly brought back memories of the Kennedy's and their"Camelot". It got me wondering whether any first lady could possibly match Jackie's essence. She was very classic, yet modern, avante-garde and elegant. She wore lots of silks and satins, primarily made by Oleg Cassini, who himself was influenced by Givenchy. But even when she wasn't wearing one of her amazing gowns (below), she just excuded a sense of style and loveliness that cannot be replicated.
I think Michelle Obama comes close, but in a different way. She is more of an everyday women. She makes you feel like you can reach for the stars too. She is very classy and stylish in her own right and exudes taste and self-confidence that you cannot get just by putting on clothes. Plus she seems more "in reach" than Jackie was and I love that about her.
But I still think Jackie reigns in the style department. The only other potential first lady that I think would come close, in recent memory, would be Cindy McCain. And yes, you can argue with me that both Cindy and Jackie had access to expensive designer clothes and that Michelle chooses more budget friendly brands. But I still think it's something more. Cindy also knew how to put ultra modern and elegant touches to her look, despite looking a little stiff at times, but so did Jackie, in my opinion.
Anyway it was fun finding all of these photos that represented who Jackie was in the 60's and beyond! photot credits belong to: NGCS History,medaloffreedom.com,metmuseum.org, jfklibrary.org, gallerym.com, and cache.gettyimages.com.
So readers, what do you think? Do any first ladies or potential first ladies hold a candle to Jackie O? Or should we open it up to international first ladies and mention Carla Bruni or Diana?(And please, refrain from any nasty comments or political speeches. We're talking style here, not politics!)
12 comments:
wow I loved looking at those photos-that was great! she was iconic wasnt she? I do agree with you, there is no one who could hold a candle to her, yet!
I saw an article on Carla Bruni comparing here to Jackie. she is gorgeous too, but still there is no comparison!
I might be the only woman on this planet who was never all that impressed with Jackie O's style, lol! I think she was always impeccably dressed, always ladylike, but just not in a way that was exciting or interesting. It seems like a bland interpretation of early '60s style.
I guess, to me, her closest sartorial comparison is Audrey Hepburn, who also favored Givenchy's designs. But Jackie O just doesn't even come close to that kind of drop-dead stunning style.
I think the best comparison to Jackie O in terms of First Ladies who followed her is Nancy Reagan, but I think even Reagan's fashion sense was much more interesting and glamorous than Jackie O's. I still love looking at Nancy Reagan's clothes, especially from the early '80s.
I don't think you can compare Michelle Obama to any of these First Ladies, though, because her style is very different. She likes new designers and slightly offbeat styles, and she does color unlike any other First Lady, though I wish she wore bright colors more often.
Right now I'm totally fascinated with both Mrs. Obama's and Mrs. Sarkozy's fashion sense. Very different styles, but always eye-catching and interesting (even when I don't like what they wear).
Wonder how history will judge the style of both of these women!
I think the nod can easily and handily go to Jackie. There's such a timeless, subtle beauty present there.
I do love Jackie, but am pretty sure Michelle will give her a run for her money over the next four years.
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Anchibride! We can just agree to disagree! ;) Nancy just didnt have that certain something for me to want to take a second look! And we cant even put Audrey in the mix here b/c we are only talking about first ladies!!not fair :)
It's amazing to look at how people look so together and so lovely so easily... and yet I know it can't have been truly easy. She was a smart and beautiful lady. And I think lady really sums it up best.
And thank you so much for coming to visit my blog. Today has been so much fun and so lovely to see the response and fun comments. I really appreciate it. I hope you enjoyed my blog and come back to visit soon!
Hmm, I think I'm not being quite fair to Jackie. You know when I really liked her style? In the '70s, when she married Aristotle O. I adored those big 'ol sunglasses! She had an easygoing, funky style which I love, and I've always wondered whether that was more her style than the '60s First Lady version, since they were so different.
I think since Jackie O, the First Lady style has been overwhelmingly matronly and frumpy.
I don't think Michelle can really compare with Jackie, but I do love her new and fresh take on fashion. And I love that she's wearing affordable brands like JCrew and White House/Black Market.
Although there is no doubting Jackie O was (and still is, to many) a style icon.
However, there was something removed from the people about her. Didn't they refer to her and her husband as Camelot - the legendary remote rulers?
Michelle is more appealing to me because I feel through her clothes there is a connection.
Jackie O had a 'uniform' and stuck to it - it looked great on her, but must have been boring always wearing clothing that was very similar.
Carla Bruni is putting on a great show these days.
Michelle Obama is great - she's a normal sized woman and so the fact that she looks great is fantastic (the others being super slim) as women can actually emulate her dress style more easily.
She had a fantastic style!Love the red dress....
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