All eyes on Palin’s politics ... and shoes
She was virtually unknown when she came onto the political scene, but now vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is getting international attention. And one thing that’s caught people’s eye: her sense of style.
According to the Wall Street Journal, sales of the red, peep-toe pumps Ms. Palin has worn on the campaign trail shot up 50 percent on one shoe Web site, selling out in four sizes. The Kazuo Kawasaki rimless glasses she wears are on back order, and production of the frames has gone to a 24-hour cycle to keep up with demand.
And let’s not forget that hair. Whether it’s half up or in an updo, Ms. Palin’s teased and highlighted hair has inspired its own wig line, offered by WigSalon.com.
Shari Wildberger said Ms. Palin’s hairstyle is one she’s very familiar with. She’s been wearing that style off and on since the 1970s.
“I was thrilled when I saw that she still wears her hair long and pulled back, half up and half down,” she said. “I can now say that my old-fashioned hairdo is finally coming back in style.”
Fashion isn’t a new issue in this election. Everything from Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits to Cindy McCain’s Oscar de la Renta convention dress has been the subject of intense discussion. But neither of them have received the coverage or sparked the flurry of fashion trends that Ms. Palin’s style has.
So what is it about the Alaska governor that garners her so much attention, style-wise? The Washington Post’s fashion writer, Robin Givhan, said it’s because “Palin’s clothes are common. Everyone knows someone who dresses like her, which is partly why so many folks seem to think that they know her.”
Linda McLear agrees, saying Ms. Palin “relates to the ordinary guy, or gal in this case.”
Though both Ms. McLear and Ms. Wildberger agree that Ms. Palin always looks great, they said it’s sometimes frustrating the amount of attention her shoes, her glasses, her hair, even her lipstick, gets. The focus, Ms. McLear said, should be on her politics.
“Everything about her is very appealing,” she said, “but her view and her opinions are so much more important than anything she might wear.”
Lacey Storer can be reached
at lstorer@npgco.com
This story has 20 comments. Click here to join in on the discussion.
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This story is so sexist. No one would even think of writing a story like this about a male candidate. The more you get someone to focus on Mrs. Palin's clothes, the less attention her words and values get.
Posted by azmaggie on October 2, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)I wonder what color shoes biden will wear for the debate!!
Posted by Notz on October 2, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)stjoegirl, um, exactly what words & values are you speaking about? Possibly the Couric interview?
The way McCain's handlers have kept Palin away from interviews (Biden has done 68 since VP announcement, Paulin has done 3...) leaves the entire country with nothing more TO talk about other than her "fashion skills", & possibly her cackly Edith Bunker voice...
I especially like the way she tries to hoodwink our country by indicating her & great, great, great grandpa McCain's intentions to "shake up Washington", when Washington really means "Eight prior disastrous years of Republican rule IN Washington".
I'd trust another Republican to "shake up" the prior 8 years of Republican RUINATION of America, like I'd trust another wolf to guard the sheep the last wolf "guarded"...
Can you say "The Keating Five?"
Posted by stjoegirl on October 2, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)I am not even a Republican, I just think this is absurd to take the focus off of the content of a person and make it all about their clothes. That is just short of taking away their humanity.
Posted by Noreaster on October 2, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)Don`t forget, they asked Bill Clinton if: he had an inny or an outy-- if he had boxers or knits etc.
Posted by devinbroncs123 on October 2, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)Well Palin is hot but that's all she's got. Biden is a career politician. He is going to destroy her tonight. It won't even be close. If that's the case, this election is all but sealed and written in steel for Obama. GO DEMOCRATS!!!
Posted by Rax on October 2, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)devinbroncs123,
After just watching the debate, I must say you spoke too soon. Sarah Plain not only held her own, she flat beat Biden. He could not seem to understand that he was not debating Bush/Cheney... He could not keep up with her and kept resorting to the lame, tired tactic of compairing McCain to Bush.
McCain & Palin both won their respective debates.....easily!
Posted by MichaelH on October 2, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)What is so hard about, "n-u-c-l-e-a-r?"
The only thing Palin proved is that she's a fast learner. She's reminds me of Bush.
Biden had his faults but at least he could articulate. Palin could not, I don't care what anyone says. When she would make an attempt, her words turned to stuttering, memorized rambles. This is not only a great example of how fast she can learn, it also reflects what we're capable of in America...
We can make a politician out of anyone.
If she was responsible for housekeeping in America, I'd be for her. As a potential, "decision maker" I think she still falls short and any progress displayed this evening is a testament to the political machine rather than her own words and experience.
Posted by Rax on October 2, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)And I don't understand what is so difficult about remembering who you are supposed to be debating. On almost every response, Biden went back to "Bush this," or "Cheney that"...he was absolutely lost. Future Vice President Palin had to call him on it several times just to steer him back to the question he was asked. He should thank her for saving him during a few of his "spells." The poor man was so confused.....
Posted by MichaelH on October 2, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)If Biden was confused, Palin was in a coma.
Fair is fair.
Posted by azmaggie on October 2, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)obama stutters to when he does not have cue cards to read!!!
Posted by MichaelH on October 3, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)I wasn't talking about stuttering being result of inability - I'm saying she didn't have the knowledge to articulate anything she said, except for MAYBE energy initiatives, and as a result she would stumble and stammer.
Obama "stutters" because he is a very good public speaker with very strong vocabulary. Any great speaker, when shooting from the hip, displays the same quirks as speaking goes.
Neither major party will receive my vote.
Posted by Rax on October 3, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)I didn't realize there were so many varieties of stuttering. I felt very satisfied with her answers. Biden surprised me though, he actually had some good points which for him is very unusual. But Palin not only held her own against this long term politician, she shined. I was pleased with her debating skills and think she will do very well in office. I look forward to hearing her Vice Presidential acceptance speech.
Posted by heritage on October 3, 2008 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)i am so sick of folksy, homey, and winking. does palin have a tick?
Posted by suzyQ on October 3, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)Rax - And too, this was her FIRST nationally televised debate going up against experienced debater Biden. The fact she held her own so well only furthers her abilities and potential abilities. I sure hope she gets in there, but if she doesn't I hope she will consider running for future office. As well, I am sure she was aware of how critical this debate would be, I am sure she was aware of all the talk about her interviews, and for her to go out with the confidence she has and kick some serious arse...gotta give her credit.
Heritage, I like how she talks, she really hits home with mainstream folks. She is smart and relatable. I think it was CNN even likened her to Ronald Reagan style of speaking. And also, there are all sorts of different accents depending where you are from in the US. If we were on TV with out Midwest twang, I am sure people elsewhere would be...like...ya know...criticizin' us. I think the more important thing here is, is can she hold up under pressure, can she do the job. After seeing the debate last night, no doubt!
Posted by azmaggie on October 3, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)Even the Democrats were worried about biden as they admit he sometimes rambles and sometimes says stupid things! Besides when he was running for president he had a lot of negative to say about obama!!!
Posted by suzyQ on October 3, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)azmaggie - they probably coached him and told him not to go off half-cocked. I was surprised when Obama picked him. I thought for sure he would lose for not picking Hillary, now I am not so sure unfortunately.
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