No matter the occasion or time of year, there is always something we can learn from the first lady of style Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Her time on the Mediterranean, in Italy and Greece helped inspire the design of our more casual items. They are still refined, just easier — more relaxed.
In the book, Jackie Style, author Pamela Keogh notes that "Jackie had a magical, simple way of updating her clothes according to where she stood at a particular moment in her life." That's something we all can relate to as our lives change.
Here is what we all can learn from Jackie's casual style:
A tee-shirt and white jeans will never go out of style. Simplicity is always best. Google "Jackie Kennedy Onassis Summer Style" and you'll see countless photos of Jackie in white jeans or pants, and simple tees. Sometimes she adds a belt to complete the look, and she's almost always wearing a headscarf. Whatever she's wearing, it always looks effortless. You can easily emulate this look with our Carole pants and any of our Marilyn or Francoise tees. Or our Jane tunic and white jeans for a more elegant casual look.
Easy breezy sundresses can also be elegant. Jackie escaped the American public eye and confines of being the former First Lady when she married Aristotle Onassis by spending much of her time on the Mediterranean. It's a transition evident in her clothing. Gone were the structured lines like our Carmel or Jackie I dresses which she inspired, instead she opted for less constricting styles like our Maria housedress. Her style was relaxed yet refined. Proving that simplicity was indeed the ultimate sophistication.
Choose clothing that fits your lifestyle, not the other way around. We often think today that comfortable and casual clothing must be loose or oversized, or athleisure-style clothing. Jackie's clothing always fit. Her clothing never overwhelmed her — can you imagine trying to outrun the paparazzi wearing an oversized caftan? Her wardrobe supported her lifestyle. She chose her clothing to fit her lifestyle — which was a woman on the go. She didn't cater to trends, she wore what suited her personal style and fit her body. The Suzy tunic should be comfortable, but it should fit properly. It's not a smock.
