Next month, the prestigious auction house Sotheby's will put Jackie Kennedy-Onassis' lilac wool coat — the outfit she wore on the night of John F. Kennedy's election victory, November 8, 1960 — up for sale. The auction is part of the first "Handbags & Fashion" exhibition, a new concept that Sotheby's is introducing at its global space in the Breuer Building in New York. It marks the premiere of fashion and accessories in a space that has traditionally hosted only art and rare objects.

The coat, estimated to fetch between $6,000 and $8,000, will be on sale until December 15. The garment has become iconic after it was immortalized on the cover of a special edition of Life magazine, when the world was getting to know the newly elected President and First Lady. Jackie Kennedy wore it in Hyannis Port on election night, while she was eight months pregnant with John F. Kennedy Jr.

Made of bright purple fur, the coat contrasted sharply with the neutral tones of the fashion of the time and was notable for its unusual elegance. It has an intimate history: it passed from hand to hand among a close circle of Kennedy family friends, many of whom were also pregnant, and was preserved as a symbol of friendship and shared experiences.

“Few garments capture the spirit of a historical turning point so elegantly,” said Morgane Halimi, Global Director of Handbags and Fashion at Sotheby’s. “This coat reflects Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ unique ability to express optimism and modernity through style alone. Its appearance at auction for the first time represents a rare opportunity for collectors.” The exhibition will be open to the public at Sotheby’s in New York from December 5 to 8.