Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis is remembered as one of the most elegant and stylish First Ladies in American history. While much of the focus on her fashion and public image revolves around her time as First Lady in the 1960s, her sense of style was cultivated long before she entered the White House.
Early Life and Family Influence
Jacqueline Lee Bouvier was born on July 28, 1929, in Southampton, New York, into a world of privilege and refinement.
She was the daughter of Wall Street stockbroker John Vernou Bouvier III and socialite Janet Lee Bouvier, who were both known for their taste and appreciation for the finer things in life.
The Bouvier family was part of the East Coast elite, and their lifestyle was one of sophistication, travel, and exposure to culture and fashion.
Jackie’s early years were influenced by her mother’s keen eye for style and her father’s love for the arts.
Janet Bouvier was known for her classic, polished look, and she passed on her love for elegant clothing and refined taste to her daughters. As a child in the 1930s, Jackie was often dressed in well-tailored, classic outfits that reflected her family’s social status.
This early exposure to high fashion and attention to detail would shape her approach to style throughout her life.
The Roaring Twenties: A Family Style
Though Jacqueline was only born at the tail end of the 1920s, the decade’s fashion influences were still very much present in her early life.
The 1920s were characterized by flapper dresses, cloche hats, and a more liberated approach to fashion that reflected the changing role of women in society.
While Jackie would have been too young to actively participate in this fashion revolution, the spirit of the 1920s would have surrounded her in her formative years.
Her mother, Janet, embraced the fashion trends of the time, often wearing elegant, streamlined dresses that flattered her figure. She adorned herself with pearls and other accessories that added to the overall air of sophistication.
Young Jackie was likely dressed in miniature versions of these elegant outfits, showcasing early signs of her future grace and poise.
Photographs from her childhood depict her in classic outfits that emphasize simplicity and tastefulness—qualities that would come to define her later style.
The 1930s: Developing a Unique Style
As Jacqueline Kennedy moved into the 1930s, the world of fashion began to shift. The Great Depression had a profound impact on the way people dressed, and there was a move towards more practical, understated clothing.
However, for the Bouvier family, who were less affected by the economic downturn, style remained an important part of daily life.
In the 1930s, Jackie began to develop her own sense of style. Photographs from this period show her as a young girl with a natural elegance, even in her more casual moments.
She often wore simple yet well-crafted dresses, which allowed her natural beauty to shine. Her love for equestrian sports also became evident during this time, and images of her riding horses show her in classic riding attire—tailored jackets, jodhpurs, and polished boots.
This combination of casual elegance and polished appearance would become a hallmark of her style in later years.
One key element of Jackie’s look during this period was her hair. Even as a young girl, her hair was always perfectly coiffed, often styled in loose waves or pulled back in a neat bow or headband.
This attention to grooming and presentation was instilled in her from a young age, reflecting her mother’s belief in the importance of appearance.
Influences from Art and Literature
Jackie’s early interest in art and literature also played a role in shaping her style. Her father, known as “Black Jack” Bouvier, was an avid lover of art, and he exposed his daughter to the works of the great masters from an early age.
Jackie’s appreciation for art and culture would later be reflected in her personal style, which often incorporated classic elements reminiscent of the Old World elegance she admired.
In addition to art, literature also influenced Jackie’s look. As a child, she was an avid reader and was particularly drawn to the works of French authors and poets.
This love for French culture would later be reflected in her choice of designers and her overall aesthetic. Even in her early years, Jackie’s look had an air of sophistication that seemed well beyond her age, setting her apart from her peers.
A Glimpse into Childhood Photos
Photographs of Jacqueline Kennedy from the 1930s provide a window into her early style. While many of the images are of her as a young girl at play, they reveal a budding sense of fashion and grace.
In family photos, Jackie can often be seen wearing classic dresses with clean lines, often paired with white socks and Mary Jane shoes.
Her outfits were always age-appropriate but had a touch of elegance that hinted at the style icon she would eventually become.
There are also photos of Jackie at various social events with her family, where she is dressed in more formal attire. These images capture her in delicate lace dresses, with bows in her hair and a radiant smile on her face.
Even as a child, Jackie had a presence that was hard to ignore—a combination of poise, charm, and an innate understanding of how to carry herself.
The Foundations of an Iconic Look
The 1920s and 1930s were formative years for Jacqueline Kennedy, not only in terms of her upbringing but also in the development of her personal style.
While she was still a young girl during these decades, the influence of her family’s lifestyle, her exposure to art and culture, and her early interest in fashion laid the groundwork for the sophisticated, elegant look that would define her in later years.
Photographs from this era capture a young girl who was already aware of the importance of appearance, even if she did not yet fully understand the power of her own image.
The attention to detail, love for classic styles, and commitment to presenting herself with grace and elegance were all evident in Jackie’s early years, setting the stage for her future as one of the most iconic women of the 20th century.
As Jacqueline Kennedy grew older and stepped into the public eye, these early influences would continue to shape her style.
Her look during the 1920s and 1930s may not have been as widely documented as her later years, but it was during this time that the seeds of her timeless elegance were planted.
From the carefully chosen dresses to the perfectly styled hair, Jackie’s early years provide a fascinating glimpse into the making of a style icon.
Photo Gallery
