The Style and Charm of JFK

JFK has a place in pop culture that no other President can claim, and his style and charisma form a huge part of his legacy.

Regardless of your political beliefs, any man of any age can learn something from JFK.

While his impact on US history is well-studied, today’s article is going to focus on the more personal characteristics of JFK that made him a success - his style, his looks, and his charm. 

Gentlemen, let’s begin by looking at how you can dress like JFK.

Clothes

JFK bought most his clothes from Brooks Brothers

JFK’s style is distinct to the early 1960s, the Mad Men era, but it remains timeless. 

In fact, a man could outright copy the former president’s way of dressing and look just good today as he did in 1962. 

Mr Kennedy was a New Englander, and his style was Ivy League and preppy with coastal influences. 

He was a Brooks Brothers man head to toe, right down to his light blue boxer shorts.

When suited-up, he wore a slim cut suit with narrow lapels and a strong crease in the trousers. 

His preference in neckties was equally modern, opting for a slim, muted necktie, sometimes in a regimental stripe. 

One idiosyncrasy of JFK’s style that you may wish to copy as the way he wore his pocket square. 

Instead of the typical presidential fold, which goes straight across, he wore his with just one corner showing, like a little triangle.

JFK had a distinctive off-duty style and he was pictured in casualwear more than any president who had come before him.

Kennedy spent a lot of his free time either with his family or sailing, and the clothes he wore reflected his lifestyle choices. 

His casual rotation included many oxford shirts, sweaters, khakis and chinos, grey marl sweaters, and cardigans.

On the golf course, he wore polo shirts and brightly colored chinos.

Even when enjoying his downtime, JFK always looked put together and professional, a lesson many men today could learn.

He rarely dressed below smart-casual, in terms of formality. He never wore jeans and very rarely wore T-shirts, however, he was a big fan of white sneakers, which were a relatively new style at the time. 

Kennedy’s style contributed to his image as a youthful and accessible president. 

He showed that being taken seriously doesn’t require you to dress up all the time, and you can instead appear sophisticated and laid back simultaneously. 

But for the most part, he played by the rules, and looked perfectly presidential when at work.

Accessories and grooming

JFK had a signature accessory - his sunglasses. 

I think his decision to wear sunglasses so frequently, and his ability to wear them so well, enhanced his celebrity factor. 

Kennedy wore a variety of classic styles, but his most famous pair were his American Optical Saratogas.

This model was discontinued for decades but has now been revived by American Optical, which you can purchase on Amazon.

American Optical Saratogas - $210 on Amazon

JFK’s favorite watch was an Omega dress watch with a rectangular face and black leather strap which was gifted to him by former Florida State Senator Grant Stockdale to commemorate his election as President. 

At a distance, it’s easy to mistake this watch for the very similar Cartier tank.

Photo courtesy of Omega

Kennedy also had a gold Nastrix wristwatch, given to him in 1963 by Washington socialite couple David and Evangeline Bruce.

And a Rolex Day-Date, which Marilyn Monroe gifted to him in 1962 for his 45th birthday. However, it’s not surprising that he didn’t wear that one very much. 

All three of Kennedy’s watches were engraved with messages on the back, showing us that he valued the sentiment of his timepieces just as much as their aesthetics.

For fragrance, JFK was a big fan of Caswell Massey’s Jockey club, which is still available today and it’s only $65 for a 3oz bottle. 

It’s a citrusy amber blend that smells very classically masculine. Interestingly, Caswell Massey also made the cologne of choice for George Washington, who wore Number Six Gold Cap. 

Caswell Massey’s Jockey Club is $65 on Amazon

JFK also wore The Original by Eight and Bob after its creator, Albert Fouquet, left a bottle in his hotel room with the note: “In this bottle, you will find the dash of French glamour your American personality lacks.”

We can’t have a discussion about the looks of JFK without mentioning his hair.

Along with Ronald Reagan, Kennedy had the thickest, strongest hair the Oval Office has ever seen. 

Kennedy wore his hair longer than most presidents and longer than a typical crew cut. 

He wore a side part but did not slick his hair with pomade as most men of his time did. 

He must have either worn no product or a matte-effect product to get this natural look. 

Charm

President John F. Kennedy welcoming Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru in Washington (Photo courtesy of US Embassy New Dehli)

So we’ve discussed how you can emulate the looks of Kennedy, and even, how you can smell like him. 

But in my articles, I like to go a little deeper and understand what admirable character traits and skills we can learn from our role models.

While Kennedy was good looking and young, that alone did not make him one of the most popular presidents of all time. 

Importantly, he was a master communicator and marketer. 

He utilized the medium of television, which was still relatively new, to connect with Americans on a huge scale. 

In the famous televised debate against Richard Nixon, he wore makeup to prevent his sweating. 

He was well-rested and tanned, convincing viewers that he was more fit for the job than his Republican Rival, who appeared pale, sweaty, and shifty.

During his presidency, JFK opened himself up to the culture of celebrity and Hollywood, which enabled him to access young voters and connect with new movements. 

We can only imagine how JFK would use social media if he were around today to show the public who he really was. 

With two young children and his popular wife, Jackie, it was clear to voters that Kennedy was a family man who cared about the same things that ordinary Americans did. 

He did not try to maintain much of a barrier between his personal life and his public life, deciding that openness was a better policy than aloofness.

JFK is remembered for his iconic speeches, but he was not a naturally gifted speaker. 

He was given a C in public speaking at Harvard, but he dedicated himself to this skill as I encourage all men to do.

In his speeches, Kennedy’s tone was strong and optimistic. He positioned himself as an energizer and a man of the future.

During his three years as president, JFK showed confidence in times of Crisis, and accepted full responsibility for major setbacks, like the failed Bay of Pigs invasion.

Whereas other presidents like Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton would try to cover up their wrongdoings in office, Kennedy admitted his mistakes and took ownership.

These qualities led to an approval rating of as high as 70% during his time as President.

So what I admire is that Kennedy focussed on what he and the country could do to improve, rather than slinging mud at his opponents or laying the blame on others. 

He also emphasized the objectives that united all citizens, rather than topics of contention.

In today’s political climate, he serves as a shining historical example of dignity and grace. 

Of course, Kennedy was no saint, and no man is perfect. 

But I hope you can learn from his best qualities and feel inspired to be the best version of yourself by taking inspiration from JFK.