KNOWLEDGE

Gucci 101:
The Jackie Bag

By Koyaana R. March 2, 2020

In an age where the media opened high powered figures 

to the public, it’s no surprise that Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Onassis captured the hearts of millions around the globe with her elegant style. As the First Lady, wife to John F. Kennedy, and one of the first mainstream fashion icons, Jackie was considered one of the most poised women in the world.

History

Many are surprised to find out that the Jackie Bag was not initially named for its namesake luminary. It was actually created in the 1950s and dubbed the Fifties Constance from its debut. It was thought to be the first hobo bag, which was a new silhouette that encapsulated the era of the free spirit as it was designed as a unisex bag. It wasn’t until Jackie Kennedy adopted a love for the bag, and was seen wearing it, that the brand renamed it to The Jackie Bag. As one of the most stylish women in America, possibly even the world, she carried a level of influence that had been rare for the time. The bag became an instant success the moment it was seen on her arm. She continued to wear various versions of the bag throughout her life, solidifying its place in history as a wardrobe staple.

The Jackie fell out of favor for many years after the passing of Jackie Kennedy until Tom Ford decided to revitalize it in 1999. He brought back the piece by replacing the classic piston lock and creating slightly harsher lines that were trendy for the early 2000s.

Most recently, Alessandro Michele reintroduced the Jackie in his Chateau Marmont Collection in 2019, unsurprising since he loves to revive archived pieces. Its return was not the shining beacon that many would have expected and did not remain on the site for the seasons following.

Sizing Breakdown

There is no one type of sizing for the Jackie Bag, unfortunately. Through its many iterations and redesigns, it has never had a specific size scale. Due to this, each version that has been released typically has two sizes available that often translate to “small,” “medium,” or “large.” Occasionally, an XL or Maxi version will be introduced, but these sizes are few and far between. These sizes are typically based on the measurement standards that Gucci uses internally. Below are a few examples of sizing differences for a couple of models.

Large

Base Length 17 Inches

Large

Base Length 17 Inches

Materials And Hardware

The Jackie has been introduced and reimagined in various materials that are as iconic as the bag itself. From GG canvas to leather and suede with web details, this bag has come in many combinations that show its significance to Gucci. So much so, it has been offered in exotics such as python and ostrich, as well as limited edition pieces.

Suede

Ostrich

The Jackie has been introduced and reimagined in various materials that are as iconic as the bag itself. From GG canvas to leather and suede with web details, this bag has come in many combinations that show its significance to Gucci. So much so, it has been offered in exotics such as python and ostrich, as well as limited edition pieces.

Cross Clasp

Versions

Over the decades since its debut, the Jackie Bag has been altered slightly to create a new generation of Jackie Bags to fit the needs of the modern-day woman. Over the decades, the name has changed slightly and there has often been confusion about which bag came out when and, in particular, a window when it was unclear which order they were released. Though there are many iterations, the most notable versions with corresponding name changes include the following in the order we theorize they were introduced:

The Jackie O Bouvier

The New Jackie

The Jackie Soft Collection

In 2014 Gucci unveiled the new Jackie Soft, a simplified and sleek version of its predecessor. Its relaxed vibe paired with the classic piston clasp was so popular that they decided to expand the line to include several silhouettes that embodied the air of the Jackie in a new and exciting way. This line was only available in leather options, a feature that is uncommon for the brand. Gucci has not brought back the Jackie Bag in any form since this line was discontinued.

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