Halloween in New York City took a dramatic turn this year when Julia Fox’s costume sparked widespread debate.
The 35-year-old actress chose to recreate one of the most haunting images in American history—a blood-stained pink suit worn by Jackie Kennedy on the day of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
A Bold Statement on Bravery and Trauma
Julia defended her choice amid intense backlash, describing her outfit as “not a costume, but a statement.”
At The Cursed Amulet’s Halloween party on Thursday, she wore a faithful recreation of Jackie’s double-breasted pink ensemble from the 1963 presidential motorcade.
The original suit had become soaked in President Kennedy’s blood after he was fatally shot beside the First Lady.
In an Instagram post, Julia explained her reasoning: “When her husband was assassinated, she refused to change out of her blood-stained clothes, saying, ‘I want them to see what they’ve done.’ It was an act of extraordinary bravery.”
She added that the image of the delicate pink suit, marred by violence, juxtaposes beauty and horror, poise and devastation.
Family and Fans Criticize the Tribute
Despite Julia’s explanation, her recreation drew criticism.
Fans called it “tasteless” and “disrespectful,” while Jack Schlossberg, JFK’s grandson, voiced disapproval over her decision to wear the suit as a Halloween outfit.
Nevertheless, Julia maintained that her portrayal was meant to honor Jackie’s courage, resilience, and the way she transformed trauma into a form of resistance.
The History Behind Jackie’s Pink Suit
Jackie Kennedy’s original pink Chanel-inspired suit, designed by Oleg Cassini, was never cleaned after the assassination.
Her maid, Providencia Paredes, carefully preserved it in a bag when Jackie returned to the White House.
Today, the suit is housed securely in the National Archives in Maryland, remaining out of public view until 2103.
The story of the suit was revisited in the 2023 documentary JFK: One Day in America. Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent assigned to Jackie, described the chaotic moments after the gunfire: “I jumped to the rear bumper. Mrs. Kennedy was screaming, ‘I love Jack.’ I wasn’t fast enough.”
Jackie’s pink suit was soaked in her husband’s blood as she cradled him in the backseat.
Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson also recalled the scene in her diary: “I cast one last look over my shoulder and saw in the president’s car a bundle of pink, just like a drift of blossoms, lying in the back seat.
It was Mrs. Kennedy lying over the president’s body.”
Jackie’s Choice to Remain in the Suit
At Parkland Memorial Hospital, Jackie was offered clean clothes but chose not to change, washing only her face.
She later reflected in Life magazine, “One second later, I thought, ‘Why did I wash the blood off my face?’ I should have left it there; let them see what they’ve done.”
Julia Fox’s tribute sought to channel this moment of raw courage and the power of imagery, turning it into a reflection on trauma, strength, and femininity as a form of resistance.