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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Scarlet Coat
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Scarlet Coat

Artifact IDMO 63.1299
Object Type Coat
Date fall-winter 1959
Date Worn1/2/1960
Designer (Fashion Designer, French, 1927 - 2018)
Place MadeFrance, Europe
Place WornWashington, D.C., United States
Medium Double-faced wool
DimensionsOverall: 43 in. (109.2 cm)
Physical DescriptionA double breasted long scarlet wool coat (Model number 2680). Givenchy transformed the double-faced coat, using the welted seams to describe a subtle inverted goblet shape that curves from an Empire waist.
Historical NoteMrs. John F. Kennedy wore this Givenchy coat during a press conference announcing John F. Kennedy's candidacy for presidency at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C. on January 2, 1960 and during the campaign. She dubbed it her "good luck coat."

During the campaign Eugenia Sheppard, columnist for the New York Herald Tribune, applauded Jacqueline Kennedy's Givenchy "anemone" coats in vivid red and purple. Following press criticism of Mrs. Kennedy's taste for expensive Paris fashion, this coat was "highly publicized as an Ohrbach's copy", noted Women's Wear Daily, adding their contention that it was "actually …a Paris original." Here, Givenchy transformed the double-faced coat using the welted seams to describe a subtle, inverted goblet shaped that curves from an Empire waist.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem is from the personal collection of President and Mrs. Kennedy. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
Place WornWashington, D.C., United States
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesFirst Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - FullyUse Restriction NotePlease contact the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for permission to use this image. IP@jfklfoundation.org Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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