Hats

Research by Steven L. Brawley

Jackie's Hat Designers

  • Balenciaga
  • Jean Barthet
  • Bergdorf Goodman
  • Breton
  • Oleg Cassini
  • Givenchy
  • Gris
  • Halston
  • Jantzen (swimming caps)
  • Myconos Maroulina's Little Shop (sun hats)
  • Manuel Partegez
  • Lilly Pulitzer
  • Helena Rubinstein
  • Jean Louis Scherrer
  • Gustave Tassell

Notes: Jackie's hat size was 7½. According to a letter from Mrs. Kennedy's social secretary, Letitia Baldrige, to hatmaker Jean Barthet dated July 14, 1961, Mrs. Kennedy headsize was 23 ½ inches, which translates to this hat size (JFK Library).

Although Jackie popularized pillbox hats during the Kennedy administration (she wore pillbox hats on Inauguration Day, Nov. 22, and many times in between) neither she nor Halston invented them. In fact, the pillbox hat concept goes back to the middle ages. A pillbox hat is round with a flat crown, straight, upright sides, and no brim.

Image copyright Jake Gariepy (Dapper ad Dreamy)

Copyright Steven L. Brawley, 2002-2015. All Rights Reserved.