Julia Fox is no stranger to bold statements, but her latest Halloween look has ignited one of the most heated online debates of the season. The 35-year-old model, actress, and author took to Instagram on October 31 to defend her controversial Jackie Kennedy–inspired costume — a recreation of the iconic pink suit worn by the former First Lady on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. While many viewed the choice as insensitive, Fox insists her look was a deliberate statement about trauma, femininity, and historical memory.
In the days following her appearance at Julio Torres’ Halloween party on October 30, the internet erupted with sharp criticism, support, and fierce arguments about taste, symbolism, and artistic expression. Fox, however, made it clear she stands firmly behind her creative decision.
The Controversial Costume
For the Halloween celebration, Fox arrived wearing a pink skirt suit covered in dramatic blood splatters. She paired the outfit with white gloves and a structured pink pillbox hat — unmistakably referencing Jacqueline Kennedy’s famous ensemble on November 22, 1963, the day JFK was fatally shot in Dallas, Texas.
Jackie Kennedy’s double-breasted wool Chanel suit, stained with her husband’s blood during the motorcade assassination, has become one of the most haunting and historically significant garments in American political history. By choosing to recreate it, Fox stepped directly into a symbol that is both deeply painful and culturally iconic.
Social media users immediately expressed outrage, with many calling the outfit “insensitive,” “tone-deaf,” and “disrespectful.” Yet Fox emphasized that what she wore was never intended for shock value alone — instead, she said it was meant to provoke thought.
Fox’s Statement: “It Was a Form of Protest and Mourning”
In a detailed Instagram post, Fox explained the intention behind her look. Sharing two images of herself in the costume, she wrote:
“I’m dressed as Jackie Kennedy in the pink suit. Not as a costume, but as a statement. 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.’ The image of the delicate pink suit splattered with blood is one of the most haunting juxtapositions in modern history. Beauty and horror. Poise and devastation.”
Fox continued by framing Jackie’s decision as an act of strength, symbolism, and resilience:
“Her decision not to change clothes, even after being encouraged to, was an act of extraordinary bravery. It was performance, protest, and mourning all at once. A woman weaponizing image and grace to expose brutality. It’s about trauma, power, and how femininity itself is a form of resistance. Long live Jackie O.”
The post quickly gained traction, with thousands reacting — some agreeing with Fox’s interpretation, others condemning it altogether.
Support and Mixed Reactions from Followers
Many of Fox’s Instagram followers praised her explanation, calling the post “moving,” “thought-provoking,” and “powerful.” Some users expressed gratitude for highlighting Jackie Kennedy’s strength, saying they had never considered the deeper layers of meaning behind her refusal to change clothes after the assassination.
Others responded with simple heart emojis, applauding Fox for taking a bold artistic stance and for shedding light on a historic moment often reduced to a single tragic event.
Still, not everyone was convinced. A notable portion of commenters insisted that the costume crossed a line, arguing that historical suffering should not be used as fashion or performance. The comments section quickly became a battleground of perspectives, with passionate opinions on both sides.
Jack Schlossberg Speaks Out
One of the strongest negative reactions came from within the Kennedy family itself. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, addressed Fox’s costume publicly on social media.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter) on October 31, Schlossberg wrote:
“Julia Fox glorifying political violence is disgusting, desperate and dangerous. I’m sure her late grandmother would agree.”
His statement added fuel to the ongoing debate. Many of his followers echoed his sentiments, calling the look “disrespectful,” “attention-seeking,” and “deeply inappropriate.”
Meanwhile, supporters of Fox argued that Schlossberg misunderstood her artistic purpose and pointed out that Fox’s Instagram caption honored Jackie’s courage rather than belittling the tragedy.
The Historical Weight of Jackie Kennedy’s Pink Suit
Jackie Kennedy’s iconic pink suit has been preserved for decades due to its emotional and historical significance. According to The New York Times, the garment — along with Jackie’s shoes, handbag, and stockings — was “blood-covered and folded in a towel” immediately after the assassination.
The items remain stored at the National Archives and Records Administration’s facility in College Park, Maryland. They have never been publicly displayed and are kept under strict preservation rules. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Jackie’s maid, Providencia Paredes, placed the bloodied outfit in a bag after the assassination and intentionally did not have it cleaned. It was transferred to the National Archives in its original condition sometime before July 1964.
The suit stands today as one of the most visceral pieces of American historical memory — a symbol of national trauma and the private grief of a First Lady thrust into unimaginable circumstances.
Jackie Kennedy’s Poise in the Aftermath
Following JFK’s death, Jackie was photographed wearing the blood-stained outfit beside Lyndon B. Johnson aboard Air Force One. Johnson, then the vice president, was sworn in as president shortly after the assassination.
Historian Steve Gillon, speaking with PEOPLE in a 2022 interview, emphasized the importance of Jackie’s decision to remain in the suit:
“They actually had another dress laid out for her to put on and she refused. She went out in her blood-stained suit and stood next to Lyndon Johnson. Despite these horrible circumstances, she was willing to stand for a photo because she understood what it meant for the nation to have continuity in government.”
Gillon added that Jackie fully recognized her role in guiding a grieving nation:
“She understood that she had a role to play in helping the nation transition to a new president.”
It is this moment — a blend of grief, courage, symbolism, and political necessity — that Fox says inspired her Halloween statement.
Artistic Expression or Insensitivity? The Debate Continues
Julia Fox’s costume has once again reignited longstanding discussions about where art ends and insensitivity begins. Some argue that invoking such a painful moment in American history for a Halloween party crosses a moral boundary. Others point out that art, fashion, and performance have long been used to provoke uncomfortable reflections on trauma, politics, and violence.
Fox, known for her unapologetically bold style and outspoken personality, appears unfazed by the backlash. Her post reflects a broader conversation about the role of women in public grief, the power of image-making, and the complex intersections between beauty and brutality.
Whether one views the costume as courageous commentary or poor taste, there is no denying it has sparked meaningful dialogue about history, symbolism, and personal expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Julia Fox dress as Jackie Kennedy for Halloween?
Julia Fox said her Jackie Kennedy–inspired costume was not meant as a simple outfit but as a statement. She explained that Jackie’s refusal to change out of her blood-stained suit after JFK’s assassination represented bravery, protest, and the power of femininity in the face of trauma.
Why did the costume receive backlash?
Many people online felt the look was insensitive because it referenced a tragic moment in American history. Critics argued that recreating Jackie Kennedy’s bloodied suit for a Halloween party trivialized a national tragedy.
How did Julia Fox respond to the criticism?
Fox doubled down on her decision in an Instagram post, defending the costume as symbolic commentary. She stated it highlighted “beauty and horror, poise and devastation,” and honored Jackie’s strength on the day of the assassination.
What did members of the Kennedy family say about the costume?
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, publicly condemned the outfit. He called it “disgusting, desperate and dangerous,” saying it glorified political violence.
What is the historical significance of Jackie Kennedy’s pink suit?
Jackie’s pink Chanel suit became a powerful historical symbol because she remained in it after JFK’s assassination, choosing not to change so the world could “see what they’ve done.” The outfit, still stained with blood, is preserved at the National Archives.
Is Jackie Kennedy’s original suit on public display?
No. Jackie’s suit, along with accessories from that day, is stored in the National Archives’ facility in College Park, Maryland, under high preservation standards. It has never been publicly displayed.
Conclusion
Julia Fox’s Jackie Kennedy–inspired Halloween costume has become one of the most controversial pop-culture moments of the season. While many criticized the look as insensitive to a national tragedy, Fox has firmly defended it as a tribute to Jackie Kennedy’s strength and a statement on trauma, femininity, and political violence.
