The late John Fitzgerald Kennedy is arguably best remembered for his untimely death by assassination in 1963, for his alleged affair with Marilyn Monroe and for being one of the most handsome American presidents to date. But his memory also perseveres because his personal style was just so spot on.
Unlike the current Potus, who has a penchant for ill-fitting slacks, too-long ties and caps that even Kanye West can’t get away with wearing, JFK served consistent, 1950s prepster goodness.
Having enrolled at both Princeton and Harvard universities, JFK’s wardrobe was tinged with an Ivy League sensibility that was prevalent within upper-middle-class families at the time. Long before Tyler, The Creator, JFK was the nation’s leading advocate for chinos, army surplus khakis, grey marl sweatshirts, penny loafers and Oxford shirts.
Below are the style lessons you can learn from arguably America's best-dressed president.
JFK was known for jet-setting in his personal time, frequenting far-flung places such as Acapulco, (he and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned here), the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, Johns Island, Maine and Marrakesh.
And, in turn, he perfected his summer-vacay wardrobe. Long before Harry Styles and Paul Mescal were schooling men on how to go about wearing shorts, JFK was the man to look to for cut-off inspiration. The main attraction in JFK’s vacation wardrobe being, of course, a pair of thigh-high shorts, he was nailing trends before the big catwalk brands even knew they were trends.
The trick to steal here? Go short (about 2cm above your knee) and wear with ribbed socks and a pair of GH Bass & Co Weejun loafers.
JFK was a head of state during the Swinging Sixties and he overhauled the former presidential dress code of big power suits and even bigger ties. Instead, he favoured slim-fitting tailoring and his ties were skinny, preppy and delicately patterned.
Though today the skinny tie has received something of a bad rep thanks to the likes of Pete Doherty, Ashton Kutcher et al, in reality, if it’s done properly, it can work wonders. If suits are the bread and butter of presidential attire, JFK’s neckties were the sprinkling of cinnamon on top (it’s an American thing). Chic and perfectly tied (note the peanut knot), JFK’s ties were predecessors to the sort you’d find in Hedi Slimane’s Celine collections today.
The highest level of formalwear, white tie is where JFK came into his own and never since has a president done benefit dressing (or couple dressing, for that matter) quite as well. Comprising the typical black-tie components of perfectly front-creased trousers, a tuxedo jacket and white pleated dress shirt, JFK was known for adding a white bow tie and ivory button-up waistcoat, taking his formalwear to the next level.
Think V-necks, think chest-bearing boy-band members from the 2000s, right? Wrong. Because right now V-neck knitwear is the only way forward.
Regularly worn by the likes of Donald Glover, Ryan Gosling and Tyler, The Creator, the V-neck has gone from fashion no-go to big-hitting power product. We’re wearing them, JFK wore them (as part of ’fits similar to those of Tyler) and Prada, Dior and Lanvin are all for them, so you should be investing. Whether worn with short shorts or wide-leg slacks as the late president does, make sure you have a pile of collarbone-bearing knits ready to go.
Whether on the golf course or holidaying in Maine, JFK showed he had a penchant for cloud-white ankle-grazing trousers. Worn with wool-knit cardigans, Oxford shirts and slip-on penny loafers, he wouldn’t have looked out of place in one of Kent And Curwen or Ralph Lauren’s collegiate style-heavy summer campaigns.
And while we don’t condone all the trousers presidents wear (we’re looking at your terrible bottoms, Trump), we’re all for these leg halos. Sure, wearing white trousers in the summer might be a little cliché, but, listen, all the best-dressed men are at it. Preppy fan Tyler, The Creator, Harry Styles, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig are wearing them, while on the catwalk we’re seeing more white slacks than ever, with big brands such as Lanvin, Loewe, JW Anderson, Lacoste, Gucci and Ami presenting them.
Just sip coffee with caution.
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