THE HYPE JACKIE, OOOOH NEW BOOK CELEBRATES FORMER FIRST LADY'S DISTINCTIVE STYLE.

Forty years after Camelot, reigning first lady Jacqueline Kennedy is remembered as a wife, mother and, most of all, a woman of style.

At New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art recently, stars such as Renee Zellweger and Meg Ryan joined politicians, including Sen. (and former first lady) Hillary Rodham Clinton, for the opening of ``Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years,'' which runs through July 29.

For those of us not fortunate enough to visit the New York exhibit, there's a new book, appropriately titled ``Jackie Style,'' by Pamela Clarke Keogh (HarperCollins; $45). The book, which reveals details of Jackie's life and her trend-setting fashions, was released to coincide with the exhibit, the Camelot anniversary and Mother's Day.

The book begins with an introduction by Italian designer Valentino, who talks not only about her elegance but the fun they had running hand-in-hand through the streets to his villa on the island of Capri and how it made headlines.

Then there are the photos we know and love - and some we've never seen before - plus numerous observations on Jackie Kennedy Onassis' fashion taste by current designers such as Cynthia Rowley and Kate Spade and warm memories shared by many old friends.

The book also shares gossip about how a hairdresser claimed Jackie's younger sister, Lee Radziwill, was the real beauty in the family. The author also puts to rest those rumors that Oleg Cassini designed her pill box hats. Jackie is quoted as saying Halston was the designer, and the book includes copies of original sketches of many of her hats along with his signature.

The book ends with tips on how to get that Jackie look, with sketches of how to apply eye makeup and a shopping list that includes white jeans with a black sweater pulled down around the hips, a sleeveless A-line dress (in white, taupe or pink), oversize dark glasses (she had dozens of pairs), an Hermes scarf (she liked the astrology design), and flat-heeled sandals (hers were made by Jack Rogers).

The author of ``Jackie Style'' will speak at the May 23 meeting of the Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. For ticket information, call the Costume Council office at [phone].

- Barbara De Witt 

GREAT SCOTS: If you haven't heard of the Scottish rock foursome Idlewild yet, don't worry. You will.

Since the March stateside arrival of the album ``100 Broken Windows'' - it was released a year before in Britain - the band has been generating considerable buzz.

Idlewild's album hit No. 2 on the college radio charts and has received write-ups by a number of major music publications. Rolling Stone described Idlewild as ``Morrissey sitting in with the Stooges,'' and Alternative Press summed up the band as ``R.E.M. before the pretension set in.''

The comparisons have even led some of these artists to check out Idlewild for themselves.

In March, when Idlewild played the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, guitarist Rod Jones spotted the British pop veteran Morrissey sitting in the balcony.

``He was clapping,'' said Jones, 24. ``So that was nice.''

Tonight, Idlewild returns to Hollywood for a show with Placebo at the Palace, and on May 29, the album single ``Little Discourage'' will be shipped to commercial radio.

Ben Weber, marketing consultant for Odeon Records (a Capitol Records subsidiary), said the timing couldn't be better, given the types of acts climbing modern rock charts.

``It's not all just rap, rock, metal, punk, funk bands now,'' said Weber. ``There's a place for Coldplay and Weezer. And I certainly think there's a place for Idlewild, as well.''

While America catches on, Idlewild is planning to wrap its tour and return to the studio. The band is halfway through recording its next album, produced by Lenny Kaye, guitarist for Patti Smith. It hits America next year.

Asked if the new album might bring an end to the R.E.M. and Morrissey comparisons, Jones laughed.

``You know, for a while I found that quite annoying,'' he said. ``But I don't have a problem with that anymore. They got to get a grasp on your band somehow.''

Tickets, $17.50, are still available for tonight's show at the Palace. Show time is 8 p.m.

- Sandra Barrera

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (JACKIE KENNEDY)

Express Newspapers/Archive Photos

(2) no caption (``Jackie Style,'' by Pamela Clarke Keogh)

(3) No caption (``Idlewild'')