Thanks, Sarah Palin, for Making Today So Much Fun

[Joanne98]

The Palins of Park Slope, via the Brooklyn Paper

Dear Sarah Palin: We're very grateful. No, seriously, we mean it. You've given writers from Slate and Newsweek and New York Magazine the chance to consider how they would spend $150,000 at Saks and Neiman's, and inspired the Frisky to pull together some very classic VP looks for under $117. And that's just the beginning.

You've given the good women of Park Slope a wild night out at the Medusa Hair Salon last Saturday, where they raised $1600 for the Obama campaign and got their hair done just like yours. You've sparked a new hairstyle among devoutly Orthodox Jewish women, who have turned a wig based on your be-banged updo into a best-seller. (The Posh spice wig, on the other hand, isn't selling so well, meaning you've single-handedly bested one of the world's most famous current haircuts.) You've given brown-haired girls with glasses an instant Halloween costume and gotten Tina Fey a book deal, and you may have single-handedly revived a flagging Saks Fifth Avenue.

So thank you, Sarah Palin. If you hadn't come along, we would have spend the whole day thinking about Stylista.

http://racked.com/archives/2008/10/23/thank_you_sarah_palin_for_making_today_so_much_fun.php

How to Spend $150,000 at Saks and Neiman Marcus

When Sarah Palin traded up from her Naughty Monkey shoes, she traded up. According to financial records, the Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 on her clothes, accessories, hair, and makeup. Extravagant shopping sprees took place just after McCain announced her as his running mate, according to Politico:

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.


The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.


The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.


True, $150,000 is a lot of cash. Given the down-home hockey-mom role that Palin has been asked to play for the GOP, splashing out on Valentino is not smart purely from an image perspective. And she doesn't have to dress like a fashion editor.

However: Palin is arguably the most famous person in the world right now. She used to joke that her favorite designers were Patagonia and North Face, but they won't cut it on CNN. And after Hillary proved earlier in the year that female politicians will receive extra fashion scrutiny whether they like it or not, it's not surprising that Palin wants to look good. Remember that she's the poorest of the four politicians who are running. (Michelle Obama shops at H&M, true — but Michelle Obama isn't on the ticket.) Plus Palin's not getting any freebies from design houses, which typically support more liberal candidates.

Still, did she really need to spend that much money? We tried to figure out what Palin's shopping list might have looked like, after the jump.


Sarah Palin's Saks Fifth Avenue Shopping List:
Clothes:
• Armani jacket $1,295, with matching pants, $575. Total: $1,350
• MaxMara Sovrana cowl-neck jacket, $965, with matching skirt, $340. Total: $1,305
• Donna Karan tweed jacket, $3,995, and matching skirt, $2,695. Total: $6,690
Ralph Lauren Collection cashmere turtleneck dress (to pair with a jacket), $2,498
Hosiery:
• Two pairs of Wolford tummy-control hose, $52 each. Total: $104
Shoes:
• Salvatore Ferragamo Nerissa suede pumps, $750
• Jimmy Choo Hallie knee-high boots, $1,195
GRAND TOTAL FOR FOUR OUTFIT POSSIBILITIES: $25,129 before tax.

Sarah Palin's Neiman Marcus Shopping List:
Clothes:
• Eli Tahari contrast-stitch skirt suit, $498
• Kay Unger New York three-button jacket, $240, paired with Kay Unger New York crêpe trousers, $175. Total: $415
• Badgley Mischka Nikki military jacket, $578
• Escada belted jacket, $1,490
• Escada zip-front jacket, $1,850, paired with matching wool pencil skirt, $650. Total: $2,500
Outerwear:
• Fleurette belted coat, $1,125
• Fendi leather jacket (we know you're thinking she'd never wear Fendi, but this is subtle Fendi), $2,660
• Valentino button coat, $5,590
Shoes:
• Versace buckle-toe pump, $750
• Yves Saint Laurent tall boot, $995

GRAND TOTAL FOR SIX OUTFIT POSSIBILITIES: $16,601 before tax

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/10/how_sarah_palin_might_spend_50.html

[BrklynLiberal]

1. You Park Slope women really ROCK!!!!!!

:thumbsup: :hi:

[merh]

2. Personally, I want to know which charity will be receiving the clothes

It will be just in time for Christmas gifts and getting expensive clothing from a thrift store is always a good thing.

[youthere]

3. Oh shit yes! YOU GO GIRLS!

YOu rock!

[volstork]

4. You look like you are having

a great time! Rock on!