Fashion in the US Election: The Obamas, The McCains, and Sarah Palin on Frugality vs. $150,000 Wardrobes

MC: Are you much of a heels gal?
MO: I’m 5'11", so typically, I’m in flats. They’re much better for keeping up with the girls and the pace of the campaign trail.

MC: Has your style had to change as you’ve taken on the role of candidate’s wife? More pearls and Jackie O. dresses?
MO: You know, Barack has been in politics for a long time, and my style really hasn’t changed since he started running for president. I don’t have a stylist, but for special events, I work with designer Maria Pinto here in Chicago, who’s not only a great designer but also a good friend.

On top of more than $150,000 the Republican National Committee spent to outfit her and her family with shopping trips to Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, McCain campaign paid $22,800 to makeup artist Amy Strozzi, in the first 15 days of October after sending her $13,200 in September, financial disclosure reports show.

Strozzi, who has a long Hollywood resume, was nominated for an Emmy for her work on “So You Think You Can Dance.” The category: Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or a Special (Non-Prosthetic).

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin insisted in an interview with the Tribune on Thursday that she did not accept $150,000 worth of designer clothes from the Republican Party and "that is not who we are."

"That whole thing is just, bad!" she said. "Oh, if people only knew how frugal we are.

"It's kind of painful to be criticized for something when all the facts are not out there and are not reported," said Palin, saying the clothes are not worth $150,000 and were bought for the Republican National Convention. Still, she has been wearing pricey clothes at campaign events this fall. She said they will be given back, auctioned off or sent to charity. Most of them, she said, haven't even left the belly of her campaign plane.

"With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign."

The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles.

In 2000, Democrat Al Gore took heat for changing his clothing hues. And in 2006, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost about $3,000.

Then, there was Democrat John Edwards’ $400 hair cuts in 2007 and Republican McCain’s $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes this year.

A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending.

Presidential candidate John McCain isn't happy about having to explain why the Republican Party has had to buy running mate Sarah Palin $150,000 in clothes, hair styling and accessories.

McCain was asked several questions on Thursday about the shopping spree - and he answered each one more or less the same way: Palin needed clothes and they'll be donated to charity.

"She needed clothes at the time. They'll be donated at end of this campaign. They'll be donated to charity," McCain told reporters on his campaign bus between Florida rallies.

Asked for details on how they'll be donated, McCain said, "It works by her getting some clothes when she was made the nominee of the party and it will be donated back to charity."

Asked if he was surprised at the amount spent, McCain said, "It works that the clothes will be donated to charity. Nothing surprises me."

McCain offered no further comment, except to say that the Republican National Committee doesn't buy his clothes.