Jacqueline Kennedy’s double-breasted pink suit, worn during the tragic assassination of President Kennedy, has become a poignant symbol of an era, preserved until 2103 in the National Archives.
On November 22, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy donned a double-breasted pink suit during the Dallas presidential motorcade, an ensemble intended to impress but that instead became a poignant emblem of a national tragedy when her husband, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. The outfit, drenched in the lasting stain of her husband’s blood, has since evolved into a significant historical artifact, preserved in the National Archives of the United States in Maryland, where it will remain locked away until 2103.
Despite its common association with Chanel, the pink suit was not an original work by the French fashion house. Rather, it was crafted by American designer Oleg Cassini in collaboration with the New York dress shop Chez Ninon. The piece was inspired by a look from Coco Chanel’s 1961 fall collection but was firmly rooted in Jackie Kennedy’s commitment to American fashion. Following her husband’s election, she expressed through a letter to Women’s Wear Daily in January 1961 her intention to wear American-made clothing only, emphasizing the importance of not appearing extravagant in light of her public role.
Cassini, who designed approximately 300 outfits for Jackie, incorporated wool boucle into the suit, accentuated by gold buttons, navy blue piping, and a matching pink pillbox hat. Before the tragic day, Jackie wore this suit for various occasions, including state visits and public events, illustrating its status as one of her favorite ensembles. Notably, she wore it at least six times prior, showcasing her preference for the look.
On that fateful day in Dallas, President Kennedy requested Jackie to look her best among the “rich, Republican women” they would meet. William Manchester, in his notable work “The Death of a President,” details how Jackie chose her outfits for the trip, underscoring JFK’s influence on her final sartorial choice. During the assassination, Secret Service agent Clint Hill recounted witnessing Jackie cradling her husband’s body, leading to the suit being stained with blood. “I cast one last look over my shoulder and saw in the president’s car a bundle of pink… it was Mrs. Kennedy lying over the president’s body,” Lady Bird Johnson wrote in her diary, capturing the tragic moment.
After the incident, although Jackie was offered a change of clothes at Parkland Memorial Hospital, she opted to remain in her pink suit. Reflecting later, she expressed regret over washing the blood from her face, stating, “I should have left it there; let them see what they’ve done,” indicating her intent to convey the gravity of the moment.
The suit, along with the associated pink pillbox hat and white gloves, was recovered after the tragedy, but the latter two accessories went missing. Mary Gallagher, Jackie’s personal secretary, recalled being handed the hat, which subsequently disappeared. Over the years, the whereabouts of these items have remained unknown, prompting speculation about their fate.
Following Jacqueline Kennedy’s death, her outfit was transferred to her mother, Janet Auchincloss, who passed away in 1981. Subsequently, Caroline Kennedy legally inherited the suit and other belongings. In 2003, Caroline signed a deed of gift that stipulated strict conditions, including the directive that the pink suit be stored away from public view until 2103. The family stressed that the outfit should not be displayed or researched in ways that could cause distress to the Kennedy family or dishonor the legacies of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy.
For those in the fashion and film industries, the pink suit has continued to resonate beyond its historical context. In 2016, costume designer Madeline Fontaine recreated the suit for Natalie Portman in the film “Jackie,” leading to accolades for Portman’s performance, which highlighted the enduring image of Jacqueline Kennedy. Furthermore, the suit’s iconic style has inspired numerous interpretations in popular culture, including features in music videos and collections from prominent fashion brands.
Today, the pink suit remains not only a piece of clothing but also a complex symbol of an era marked by beauty, grace, and tragedy.
Source: Noah Wire Services
