Jackie: The Clothes of Camelot

by Jay Mulvaney

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis is the ultimate American fashion icon. Jay Mulvaney, author of Kennedy Weddings , celebrates her unique style in this lavishly illustrated book.

The Clothes of Camelot is a richly illustrated history of those magical years when the Kennedys captivated a nation and the world. Her glamour was electric, her style imaginative, and the effect was brilliant. Jacqueline Kennedy's fashions from the White House years, over two hundred outfits, are illustrated with three hundred photographs, in both black and white and color, many previously unpublished or rarely seen. Also included are photographs of jewelry and accessories as well as memorabilia, all exploring the continuing impact of Jackie's fashion sensibility on our culture.

The range of illustrations and text is broad,

Early Fashion Influences
The Inauguration Ensembles
Gowns for State Events
The Wardrobe for State Visits Abroad
Private Living and Casual Wear
French Haute Couture in the White House
November 1963
Mrs. Onassis and the Post-Camelot Years

The Clothes of Camelot is a striking portrait of an unforgettable fashion legend.

Genres: Fashion, Biography, History, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Paul De Angelis served more than three decades in the book publishing business as Editor, Editorial Director, or Editor-in-Chief of such publishing companies as St. Martin's Press and E.P. Dutton and Kodansha America. After becoming an independent editor in 1996 he founded Paul De Angelis Book Development, which assists authors, agents, publishers and organizations in turning ideas & manuscripts into books. Since 1997 Paul has edited, contributed to, and co-published the quarterly guide to the Rhinebeck-Red Hook-Hudson area of the mid-Hudson Valley, AboutTown. In the past few years his main writing and research interest has been American culture and politics in its intersection with the wider world."

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for years and occasionally skimmed through it. But as I was reading “And They Called It Camelot” an historical fiction book about Jackie Kennedy Onassis, I pulled this book out and read it in full. In the novel, there are a lot of descriptions of her clothes. This book, loaded with photos, brought those descriptions to life.

For those who are Kennedy buffs, or fascinated by Jackie (and I am both!), this is a fun and informative book.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

She was only 31 when she was at the White House!

That really caught me as I study her fashion choices today. So much elegance for one so young!

She was infamous for wearing her outfits multiple times while also charging up to $40k in clothing bills. The PINK SUIT was first worn in 1961 and then again in 1962 and, of course, for its final time in November of 1963.

I could go on and on I suppose. I will never tire talking about Jackie.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more to my liking & filled with many colour photographs & interesting captions. My favorite chapter was at the end where we're privy to see Jackie's fashion mishaps....an ill fitting gown, silly hats, a spill on her blouse, shoulder pads peeking thro sheer chiffon or a run in her stocking - it all helps to make her very real! I enjoyed it.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining and educational book that is about more than the clothes Jackie wore during the time she was the First Lady to President John F. Kennedy (from January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963). While the profusion of photos documents the fashion of the time – hats, dresses, coats, shoes, gloves, jewelry – the book also illustrates Jackie’s role in the White House. It is a biography, a pictorial history, and a way to discover more about this glamorous but very private woman who became an unforgettable fashion legend.

The informative captions which accompany each photo provide insight into her duties as First Lady and mother, her travels, her friendships, even her relationship with JFK (according to the author’s interpretation). And she was only 31 years old when she and JFK moved into the White House! No matter what she was wearing – all those elegant evening gowns, riding jodhpurs, capris, or even a bathing suit – she projected confidence and style that captivated the nation and the world.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister lent me this book saying it was too good not to read. I totally agree. I think of Jackie Kennedy in black and white. Newsreels, interviews, published photos. In this coffee table edition there are many photos in color. I was amazed at what lovely colors Jackie wore. She looked fabulous.
Jackie had a fondness for French designs but being First Lady of America meant she needed to wear American designers creations. Father-in-law Joe Jennedy paid the clothing bills, since the President's salery couldn't cover all the things needed to be a spiffy First Lady. I've been told that a deal was made with Oleg Cassini. He would be her official designer and her wardrobe would be a different take on whatever was fashionable at the time. Change a sleeve length, different buttons, that sort of thing. This idea put both of them on the fashion best of the best lists.

[Chy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures with lots of information on her clothes this is a must read for any fashion lover or fan of one of the most graceful First Ladies the US has ever seen!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#36 of 120 books pledged to read during 2018

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning

Photos are breathtaking

Amazing anthology

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well put together picture book about one of the most beautiful and graceful women of our lifetime. Very entertaining and informative. I loved it and I love her...our American queen.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informational but no index and no dates for most photos, would prefer if it went in chronological order.

[The History Mom]

Loved the pictures of Jackie's amazing dresses!

[Linda Schnetzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the commentary. Many of the pictures are repeats. Well written and engaging.

[Trena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book! It's more Franklin Mint than trenchant political history, but that is exactly what I'm looking for in a book about the fashion of a public figure. I just want to read about what they wore, not their larger historical significance (for instance, the book skimmed right over the issues of infidelity and unhappiness in Jackie and Jack's marriage).

It is full of lovely pictures, mostly black and white but color when they are available. It's organized chronologically and by type of clothing (evening, daywear, casual sportswear).

It strikes just the right balance of text and photos--adequate description and information on the designers and Jackie's personal taste without becoming too much about the author or the story and not enough about the clothes. Although it is neither high literature nor high art, I think this is a superb piece of fashion history.

[Alessandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a reasonable visual history of the wardrobe of Jackie Kennedy during the years she was First Lady, with some material from before and after. The prose is a little breathless and fawning, and it lacks an index.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only if you are into Jackie-fashion

[SophieElana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book I adore Jackie Onassis , she was and icon partly I love it beacsue Iam very materealistic !

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the descriptions of fabrics used in the garments.

[Jennifer Moore-Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackie and her sense of stlye are timeless...oh to be Jackie

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ULTIMATE in Jackie's fashions! A classic to own if you love fashion.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book interesting that while she did not want to focus on clothes this is exactly what the book is about. Enjoyed seeing her style over time and learning more of the history.