:: AUTHORS' NOTE ::

Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway did not in any way participate with their publisher in the making of a similar title about Audrey Hepburn. The co-authors are pursuing legal remedies, and have named Penguin Group (USA) Inc. and Pamela Keogh as defendants in a lawsuit filed April 15, 2009, in New York County Supreme Court. A copy of the summons and complaint appears here.


:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::

A National Bestseller, What Would Jackie Do? is now available in paperback.

From fashion to finance, a sophisticated and entertaining guide that shows readers how to attain the elegance and practical smarts that defined Jackie O.

We can't help but want to be like her: Exuding unmatched poise and style, she continues to fascinate people of all ages. But how would Jackie have handled the twenty-first century? What would she think about a society that celebrates outsized egos, instant everything and casual rules of conduct? How might she dress for the office, scan for a man, accessorize a home—and get away from it all when necessary? With intriguing research, commentary from today's experts, and fond reminiscences from those who knew and admired the First Lady of perfection, journalists Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway now offer a sparkling answer to the question “What Would Jackie Do?”

Applying Jackie's philosophies to every aspect of contemporary life, including relationships, office politics, family matters, and entertaining, What Would Jackie Do? is a trove of advice, featuring:

  •  Noblesse oblige for beginners.
  •  How not to be an interchangeable woman.
  •  Mastering the effortless rich look.
  •  The art of attachment: lessons on sex, marriage, and men of consequence.
  •  Career whirl: pearls for getting ahead.
  •  Caftan in a Kelly bag: how to travel beautifully.
  •  O, behave! Anti-brat strategies for parents.
  •  En suite home: perfecting your domestic pitch.

The next best thing to having Jackie O as a personal advisor, What Would Jackie Do? reveals the practical wisdom behind an icon and gives all readers a piece of the Jackie mystique, be it of the heart, the mind, or the home.

Would Jackie …

•  Emulate celebrity fashion? No, a thousand times no. Most celebs suffer form a distinct inability to dress themselves and rely on a battalion of stylists. This tends to retard their own fashion sense rather then advance it. So, watch the runways as Jackie would—but pay scant attention to actresses in the front row who don't know A-line from A-list.

•  Help herself to a few office supplies? Sure, within reason. Even Jackie liked to economize. That may explain why she frequently wrote personal notes on Doubleday letterhead. To assuage any guilt, you can give back by making sure your personal candy bowl stays full. Tootsie Rolls were a Jackie fave.

•  Get a hair weave? You bet she would. As early as the White House and certainly later, she often sported falls to lengthen and thicken her ‘do. She even wore the occasional wig. Such hair helps are totally acceptable today—just don't get something that is so far from your natural hue as to arouse suspicion.

•  Pick up the tab on a date? Certainly not, given all the expensive bodily mechanics required for a big night out. You might, however, consider one Jackie-like exception: Once you've established that your escort is a serious prospect, not just a four-date wonder, you may pay for a few drinks and meals. Jackie did as much with the dreamy bachelor JFK, who was prone to forget his wallet.

•  Give cash or cash equivalents as a gift? Ye$. Despite her famous shopping sprees, Jackie didn't have time to do it all. (Sound familiar?) Even for Christmas and birthdays, she sometimes tucked money into notes for family and staffers. Today, yes, Jackie would have loved the convenience of gift cards.

Shelly Branch is an editor at The Wall Street Journal, where she also writes on retail, fashion, and pop culture. She was a staff writer at Fortune and Money, and has contributed to numerous other national publications.

Sue Callaway has been an editor at Fortune, Esquire, and Men's Journal. She has also served as general manager for Jaguar Cars U.S. and as a director of marketing for Ford's luxury brands. She lives in Laguna Beach, Calif., with her husband and their two children.