I have a long list of style icons. Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger, Kate Moss, Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Jimi Hendrix, and so on and so forth. But never in my life have I looked at a photo of style legend, Jackie O and thought, “yes, I would like to dress like that.” Don’t worry, I can already feel your outrage through the computer from this previous statement, but this is an issue I need to address as I’m fairly certain my beliefs have changed.

Until recently, I’ve always found Jackie O’s style to be a little too stuffy for me. Turtlenecks, skirt suits, silk taffeta dresses complete with a bow — none of those really scream “Sonia”. Indeed, had I lived during her era I would have likely been seen in high-waisted flared jeans and a variety of ponchos giving too many peace signs while cruising around in my light pink Volkswagon Beetle. And while today I may still be seen wearing high-waisted flared jeans next to my friend’s newer Beetle model, I’m starting to think that the other side of the spectrum, a.k.a. Jackie O’s skirt suits, don’t sound all that bad. Cue the “you’re getting older” remarks.

I’ve been aware of my growing sartorial maturity over the past few months, but it was really brought to my attention when I visited Ted Baker a few weeks ago. Upon arrival in their three-story-and-then-some store, I B-lined for pastel pink tailored suits, cropped jackets, box pleat skirts, and even a head-to-toe flamingo print ensemble (yes, that exists; and yes, you should get it). I walked out of the store with a neon orange cropped jacket and a box pleat piano keyboard skirt (both of which you see here), thinking I’d nabbed the edgier pieces from the assortment I tried on. But then my friend Anna told me it was very “Jackie O.”

This conjured a visceral defensive remark from me. “Jackie O would never wear neon orange,” I said, confidence oozing out of me like a math whiz in AP Calculus. However, once I got over my initial and I admit, immature, response, I realized Jackie O very well could have worn neon orange had neon orange been considered a wearable color then. Indeed, I have no doubts that she would wear neon orange were she alive today — she did love color after all — and I can even imagine her wearing an outfit quite similar to this one from Ted Baker. Though lets be honest, she would have looked ten billion times more glamorous than me, complete with those signature oversize sunglasses.

So, getting back to the potentiality of Jackie O. being introduced to my list of “style icons,” I conclude that yes, she makes the cut. Will I reject the ripped up jeans and tattered tees in my closet? No. But let’s be real here, no one ever really saw what Jackie wore behind closed doors.

If I look cold it’s because I was.

This is me playing the piano on my piano keyboard skirt…just as an FYI

Ted Baker jacket & skirt c/0 (shout out to MiMi & Misty!!) | Kate Spade clutch | Boutique 9 heels | BaubleBar bracelet

// photos by Emily Malan