Sarah Palin Outfits Cost Republican Party $150K
RNC Foots Bill for over $150,000 for Palin's Campaign Wardrobe
Oct 23, 2008
In the 2 months since her selection as Senator John McCain’s running mate, Palin and her family’s clothing, fashion accessories, hair styling and make-up have cost the Republican National Committee over $150,000, according to the Huffington Post’s “Palin Clothes Has Dems Salivating, Republicans Disgusted” of October 22nd, 2008.
Palin's Price of Fashion
With the world’s media (insanely?) scrutinizing not only Palin’s every move but her hair, lipstick, eyeglasses and outfits, it is only natural that the Alaskan governor wants to feel and look her best. However, initial media reactions question if this is money well spent. Whether or not Palin's price of fashion is worth $150k from the Republican Party's coffers is up for debate. Political blogger Mark Amber at The Atlantic stated that "Republicans, RNC donors and at least one RNC staff member have e-mailed me tonight to share their utter disgust at the expenditures." In its Palin news segment of October 23rd, 2008, BBC World News also highlighted that "$150K on campaign ads in Ohio would go a long way."
There are signs that Palin's campaign wardrobe expenses have ruffled a few feathers amongst Republican donors. In Yahoo's "GOP Donors Critical of Palin's Pricey Threads," of October 22nd, 2008, one unnamed irate donor is quoted as saying, "“As a Republican Eagle and a maxed-out contributor to McCain’s general campaign, I’d like my money back — he can still have my vote.”
Palin Power Boosting Sales across the U.S.
Whilst there are certainly more pressing issues in the US 2008 presidential election campaign than Palin’s saucy up-do or (what the fashion media has dubbed ) her sexy-librarian look, it is an undeniable fact that many fashion-savvy women are looking at her criticially with one eye on her evolving style.
Over the last 2 months of relentless rallying and the merry-go-round of interviews the world has seen Palin develop her own signature-style of pencil skirts with tailored jackets, a passion for high-heel shoes, and trademark rimless frames. With Halloween just around the corner the Republic VP pick is also likely to influence many a Halloween party costume this year, with sales going through the roof of Palin face masks and wigs. Her signature specs have sparked a new fashion trend with opticians experiencing a welcome boost in sales. According to Palin's eyeglass manufacturers Italee Optics, they are working 24/7 to meet demand for her Kawasaki frames.
RNC’s Political Stance
The Huffington Post quotes Tracey Schmitt of the McCain headquarters as playing-down all the fuss over Palin’s fashion bill. "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses." Schmidt goes on to claim that Palin’s clothing is set to serve “a charitable purpose after the campaign.” Interestingly, this comes from the camp which belittled a $400 haircut that former Senator John Edwards paid for with his own campaign money. As the Post points out, “if Edwards had gotten one of his legendary haircuts every single week, it would still take him 7.2 years to spend what Palin has spent.” According to Jeanne Cummings in her Politico article of 22 October, 2008 “RNC shells out $150K for Palin Fashion,” in 2000 Democrat Al Gore also took some heat from the RNC for changing his clothing style, and in 2006 Hillary Clinton was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost around $3,000.
Palin’s Wardrobe Expenses
Most of Palin’s outfits, which work out at the equivalent of $2,500 per day, have come from Saks Fifth Avenue in St Louis and New York ($50,000) and Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis ($75,000). In September, items were also bought from Barney’s ($800) and Bloomingdale’s in New York ($5,000). Macy’s in Minneapolis have also benefited from Palin's shopping spree, and so has high-class (menswear) retailer Atelier ($5,000) . This information came from financial disclosures in Cummings' Politico.com article, which also revealed that the GOP had spent $4,716.49 in September on the governor's hair and makeup. Palin's make-up artist, Amy Strozzi (nominated for an Emmy for her work on So You Think You Can Dance) was also paid $13,200 for September, according to the Huffington Post's "Palin's Make-Up Artist Even More Expensive than McCain's" of October 23rd, 2008.
Sarah Palin’s Fashion Style
The Alaskan governor’s most on-trend look so far has been at a baseball field in Grand Junction, Colo, on October 20th, when she sported an Elie Tahari red leather bomber jacket., reminiscent of one worn by Michael Jackson's in his Thriller video in 1986. Palin also favors the Louis Vuitton label as her daughter; 7-year old Piper was photographed on September 11th carrying an iconic Louis Vuitton bag.
Palin's trademark style includes form-fitting skirts with contrasting close-fitting jackets and red or black high-heeled pumps. Some of her most fêted fashion items include Kazuo Kawasaki eyeglasses, edgy Naughty Monkey shoes, and a chic oyster-colored shantung silk Valentino jacket which is estimated to have cost around $2,500.
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