Jacqueline Kennedy Wedding Dress

Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress to John F. Kennedy on September 12, 1953, was one of the most iconic fashion moments of the 20th century. The dress was designed by Ann Lowe, an African American designer who was known for her exquisite craftsmanship.

The dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and featured a fitted bodice with a square neckline. The skirt was full and flowing, with a train that extended over 12 feet. The dress was adorned with intricate beading and lacework, and it was estimated to have cost $6,000 at the time.

The dress has been praised for its beauty and its historical significance. It is considered to be one of the most important wedding dresses in American history, and it has been displayed in museums around the world.

Jacqueline Kennedy Wedding Dress

The wedding dress of Jacqueline Kennedy, worn at her marriage to John F. Kennedy in 1953, has become an iconic symbol of American fashion and elegance.

• Designed by Ann Lowe
• Ivory silk taffeta
• Fitted bodice
• Square neckline
• Full, flowing skirt
• 12-foot train
• Intricate beading
• Lacework
• $6,000 cost (1953)

The dress was praised for its beauty and craftsmanship, and it is considered to be one of the most important wedding dresses in American history.

Designed by Ann Lowe

Ann Lowe was an African American designer who was known for her exquisite craftsmanship and her ability to create beautiful, high-quality gowns.

Lowe was born in 1898 in Clayton, Alabama. She began sewing at a young age, and she eventually opened her own dress shop in New York City in 1928.

Lowe's gowns quickly became popular with high-society women, and she soon became one of the most sought-after designers in the country. Her clients included Jacqueline Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, and Babe Paley.

Lowe was commissioned to design Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress in 1953. The dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and featured a fitted bodice with a square neckline. The skirt was full and flowing, with a train that extended over 12 feet. The dress was adorned with intricate beading and lacework, and it was estimated to have cost $6,000 at the time.

Ann Lowe died in 1981, but her legacy continues to live on. She is considered to be one of the most important American fashion designers of the 20th century, and her gowns are still admired for their beauty and craftsmanship.

Despite her talent and success, Lowe faced many challenges as an African American woman in the fashion industry. She was often overlooked for awards and recognition, and she was sometimes forced to work under difficult conditions.

The fabric of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was ivory silk taffeta. Taffeta is a crisp, stiff fabric with a slightly iridescent finish. It is made from silk, which gives it a luxurious feel and appearance.

Ivory is a very pale shade of yellow, and it was a popular color for wedding dresses in the 1950s. It was considered to be a more modern and sophisticated alternative to white, which was the traditional color for wedding dresses.

The silk taffeta used for Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was of the highest quality. It was woven in France and then shipped to the United States, where it was sewn into the dress by hand.

The ivory silk taffeta gave Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress a beautiful and elegant look. It was a perfect choice for a dress that would be worn by one of the most famous women in the world.

In addition to its beauty and elegance, ivory silk taffeta is also a very durable fabric. It is resistant to wrinkles and tears, which makes it a good choice for a wedding dress that will be worn for a long period of time.

The bodice of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was fitted, meaning that it was closely tailored to her body. This gave the dress a very elegant and sophisticated look.

The bodice was boned, which means that it had strips of whalebone or other stiff material sewn into it. This helped to give the bodice its shape and to keep it from sagging.

The bodice was seamed, which means that it was sewn together from multiple pieces of fabric. This allowed the bodice to be tailored to Jacqueline Kennedy's body and to create a flattering fit.

The bodice was also darted, which means that it had small pleats sewn into it. This helped to shape the bodice and to give it a more fitted look.

The bodice was trimmed with lace, which added a touch of elegance and femininity to the dress.

The fitted bodice was a key element of the overall design of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress. It helped to create a dress that was both beautiful and flattering, and it is one of the reasons why the dress remains so iconic today.

The neckline of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was square, which means that it was cut straight across the collarbone. This type of neckline is both elegant and flattering, and it was a popular choice for wedding dresses in the 1950s.

The square neckline of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was framed by a band of lace, which added a touch of femininity and sophistication to the dress. The lace band also helped to keep the neckline from being too revealing.

The square neckline was a key element of the overall design of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress. It helped to create a dress that was both beautiful and timeless, and it is one of the reasons why the dress remains so iconic today.

Square necklines are a versatile choice for wedding dresses. They can be dressed up or down, and they can be flattering on a variety of body types. If you are looking for a neckline that is both elegant and timeless, a square neckline is a great option.

The skirt of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was full and flowing, which gave the dress a very elegant and romantic look. The skirt was made from multiple layers of ivory silk taffeta, which created a beautiful and voluminous effect.

The skirt was constructed using godets, which are triangular pieces of fabric that are inserted into the skirt to create fullness. Godets were a popular way to create volume in skirts in the 1950s, and they helped to give Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress its signature look.

Jacqueline Kennedy also wore a petticoat under her wedding dress. A petticoat is a type of undergarment that is worn to add fullness and support to a skirt. The petticoat that Jacqueline Kennedy wore was made from multiple layers of tulle, which helped to create a beautiful and voluminous effect.

The skirt of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress featured a long train. The train was over 12 feet long, and it was carried by two bridesmaids. The train added a touch of drama and elegance to the dress, and it helped to create a truly unforgettable look.

After the ceremony, Jacqueline Kennedy had a bustle added to the back of her wedding dress. A bustle is a type of arrangement that is used to gather up the train of a dress. This allowed Jacqueline Kennedy to move around more easily and to dance at her wedding reception.

The full, flowing skirt of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was one of the most iconic elements of the dress. It helped to create a dress that was both beautiful and timeless, and it is one of the reasons why the dress remains so popular today.

The train of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was one of the most iconic elements of the dress. It was over 12 feet long, and it was carried by two bridesmaids. The train added a touch of drama and elegance to the dress, and it helped to create a truly unforgettable look.

The train was made from the same ivory silk taffeta as the rest of the dress. It was constructed using multiple layers of fabric, which created a beautiful and voluminous effect. The train was also trimmed with lace, which added a touch of femininity and sophistication to the dress.

The 12-foot train was a bold and dramatic choice for a wedding dress, but it was perfectly suited to Jacqueline Kennedy's personality and style. She was a confident and glamorous woman, and the train helped to create a dress that was both beautiful and memorable.

The train of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress has been copied and imitated countless times over the years. It is a timeless and elegant design that continues to inspire brides around the world.

The bodice and skirt of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress were adorned with intricate beading. The beading was done by hand, and it took hundreds of hours to complete.

The beading on the bodice was arranged in a floral pattern. The flowers were made from small, seed pearls, and they were surrounded by leaves made from clear and green beads. The beading on the skirt was more geometric, and it featured rows of pearls and sequins.

The intricate beading on Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress added a touch of glamour and sophistication to the dress. It helped to create a dress that was both beautiful and timeless.

The beading on Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was inspired by the beading on the wedding dress of Queen Victoria. Queen Victoria's wedding dress was also made from ivory silk taffeta, and it was adorned with intricate beading. Jacqueline Kennedy's dressmaker, Ann Lowe, was a great admirer of Queen Victoria, and she wanted to create a dress that was both modern and timeless.

The bodice and train of Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress were adorned with French lace. The lace was hand-stitched onto the dress and it featured a variety of intricate designs.

The lacework on the bodice was arranged in a floral design. The flowers were made from small, pearl-like beads, and they were surrounded by leaves made from clear and green beads. The lacework on the train was more abstract, and it featured a variety of swirls and scrolls.

The lacework on Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress added a feminine and graceful touch to the dress. It helped to create a dress that was both elegant and fashionable.

The lacework on Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress was inspired by the lacework on the wedding dress of Grace Kelly. Grace Kelly’s wedding dress was made from the same silk taffeta as Jacqueline Kennedy’s dress, and it was also adorned with French lace. Jacqueline Kennedy’s dress was designed to be more modest than Grace Kelly’s dress, but it still featured the lacework that was so popular at the time.

The cost of Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was $6,000 in 1953. This was a significant sum of money at the time, and it reflected the dress's luxurious materials and intricate craftsmanship.

The dress was made from the finest materials, including ivory silk taffeta, French lace, and seed pearls. These materials were all very expensive at the time, and they contributed to the dress's high cost.

The dress was made by hand by a team of skilled seamstresses. It took hundreds of hours to complete the dress, and the intricate beading and lacework added to its cost.

The dress was designed by Ann Lowe, one of the most famous and sought-after designers of the time. Lowe's designs were known for their elegance and sophistication, and her work was highly prized.

The dress has become one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history. It is associated with one of the most famous and glamorous weddings of the 20th century, and its design has been copied and imitated countless times.

Despite its high cost, Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was a wise investment. It has become a timeless and priceless piece of fashion history.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress:

Question 1: Who designed Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress?
Answer: Ann Lowe

Question 2: What was the dress made of?
Answer: Ivory silk taffeta, French lace, and seed pearls

Question 3: How much did the dress cost?
Answer: $6,000 in 1953

Question 4: What was the inspiration for the dress's design?
Answer: The wedding dress of Queen Victoria

Question 5: How long did it take to make the dress?
Answer: Hundreds of hours

Question 6: Where is the dress now?
Answer: The dress is now on display at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts.

Question 7: What is the significance of the dress?
Answer: The dress is one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history. It is associated with one of the most famous and glamorous weddings of the 20th century, and its design has been copied and imitated countless times.

These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress. For more information, please visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum website.

Now that you know more about Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress, here are a few tips for planning your own wedding dress:

Tips

Here are a few tips for planning your own wedding dress, inspired by Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic gown:

Tip 1: Choose a dress that reflects your personal style. Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was a reflection of her own personal style. It was elegant, sophisticated, and timeless. When choosing your own wedding dress, it is important to choose a dress that reflects your own unique personality and style.

Tip 2: Consider the overall look of your wedding. Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was designed to complement the overall look of her wedding. The dress was simple and elegant, and it allowed her to shine on her big day. When choosing your own wedding dress, it is important to consider the overall look of your wedding and to choose a dress that will complement your venue, your flowers, and your other wedding details.

Tip 3: Don't be afraid to go for a classic silhouette. Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was a classic A-line silhouette. This silhouette is flattering on most body types, and it is a timeless choice that will never go out of style. If you are looking for a wedding dress that will stand the test of time, consider choosing a classic silhouette.

Tip 4: Pay attention to the details. Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was adorned with intricate beading and lacework. These details added a touch of glamour and sophistication to the dress. When choosing your own wedding dress, pay attention to the details and choose a dress that has the finishing touches that you are looking for.

By following these tips, you can choose a wedding dress that is both beautiful and timeless, just like Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic gown.

Now that you have planned your perfect wedding dress, it is time to start planning the rest of your big day. Here are a few tips for planning a wedding that is both stylish and memorable:

Conclusion

Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress was one of the most iconic fashion moments of the 20th century. The dress was designed by Ann Lowe, an African American designer who was known for her exquisite craftsmanship. The dress was made from ivory silk taffeta and featured a fitted bodice with a square neckline. The skirt was full and flowing, with a train that extended over 12 feet. The dress was adorned with intricate beading and lacework, and it was estimated to have cost $6,000 at the time.

The dress has been praised for its beauty and its historical significance. It is considered to be one of the most important wedding dresses in American history, and it has been displayed in museums around the world.

Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress is a timeless reminder of the power of fashion to create a lasting impression. The dress is a symbol of elegance, sophistication, and glamour, and it continues to inspire brides around the world.

If you are planning your own wedding, consider taking inspiration from Jacqueline Kennedy's iconic gown. By choosing a dress that reflects your personal style and by paying attention to the details, you can create a wedding look that is both beautiful and timeless.