Sarah Palin: Fashionista or Poseur?
Posted on 31 October 2008 by Rachel Longo-Tosoian
This past week, everybody and their dog have been up in arms about Sarah Palin and the controversy over her brand new wardrobe. Spending $150,000 on suits, shoes, boots, even a makeup artist and hair stylist is not sitting too well with the population. Spending that money from the Republican National Committee, some from Republican supporters, is not the best way to promote oneself.
Looking back at photographs of Palin from when she was campaigning in Alaska, anyone can see the difference; it is like night and day. Frumpy sweaters, and dull coloured suits; Sarah Palin was less appealing than she is now.
I’m torn on this issue. Part of me disagrees with what the Republican Party did. Spending that much money to try to make Sarah Palin more appealing, more beautiful, and less terrifying (she kills moose for heaven’s sake!) probably seems like a good idea at the time. I think the Republicans were trying to appeal to the Hilary Clinton supports by making Palin more colorful, attractive and all around better dresser.
The other part of me is disgusted knowing that one suit cost over $6,000, and that her people were dropping over $75,000 in one place. Just think of the other things that money could do. Feed lower class children and families, put clothes on people’s back, even help homeless shelters across the US, or even send that money as aid to Africa. The opportunities were endless, just nobody ran with it.
This “scandal” reminds me of a story that appalled many people in Ontario, as many politicians were caught sending taxpayers’ money on high-end lunches and dinners, first class flights and pricy hotel rooms. I do not recall anything ever being resolved, and the story ultimately faded away like old news.
To make matters worse, entertainment shows like The Insider and Entertainment Tonight are taking the Sarah Palin-wardrobe story and running with it. The anchors are offering examples to how the average woman can have Sarah Palin’s clothes, for less, by shopping at Walmart or Target. The only problem is that the audience for these shows are already transfixed with Palin’s new threads, and want what they see, designer goods, not a knock-off.
Will this new Sarah Palin keep up wit the trends or go back to her fuddy-duddy fashion ways? Only time will tell, but I’m sure she has caught the eye of one or two fashion designers.
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October 31st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Now, I know that I will have no creditability because I am such a McCain supporter; however, I think the wardrobe scandal is no scandal at all. High end women’s fashion is expensive and people judge you based on how you look. Personally I think she would have done better with the general public not trying to look like she came out of the TV show “Sex and the City”, but that was not the choice that the McCain camp made.
If we are talking about giving money to charity why not ask Hollywood to stop spending its money on red carpet fashion and donate all that money to charity? $150k would seem like small change in comparison to all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Besides, Palin’s clothes will be auctioned off for charity once everything is done, consider it a political prop.
I think the more important question to ask is why did the Republicans think it was necessary to spend that money in the first place? The answer is because most of us are pretty shallow when it comes to why we vote the way we do. Sadly, if she had not been wearing such nice clothes you would have had someone ask why the possible future VP looks like she shops at Walmart?
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:17 am
A political pundit made a compelling point. She’s damned no matter which way she turns. If she stuck with the clothes in her closet, people would say she didn’t look vice-presidential and didn’t care. If she took the expensive, new clothes, well then she’s not “one of us.” The Republicans have a lot riding on her. They’re not gonna send their girl out there wearing clothes from a consignment shop.