Shoes of Power: Are the Potential White House Women Obsessed With Fashion?

(Courteousy Of Trendyshoeshop.com)

$313,100 designer outfits and $150,000 shopping

sprees have sparked front page headlines

and 2008 election controversy

Stories of $313,100 designer outfits for the women of power has created a shudder of election controversy. Expensive fashion sense won’t win voters (at least it shouldn’t) but their clothes and shoes might have more kick in the election as they uncover some sparkling (and some potentially damaging) facts about the White House Women.

First Lady McCain Upstages Laura Bush with $313,100 Ensemble

Cindy McCain is definitely one well-heeled prospective First Lady. According to latimesblogs, McCain wore an ensemble at the RNC that cost up to a whopping $313,100 clearly upstaging Laura Bush’s ensemble. The Vanity Fair Fashion Department was able to itemize the evening’s wardrobe budget. As was pointed out by the celebrity shoe culture blog, Shoeminx, the cost of that single ensemble could cover the annual salaries of five U.S. autoworkers.

Her choice of footwear Cali by Taryn Rose reflects her exemplary tastes when it comes to fashion, striking a balance between conservative and sexy.

In a recent AP article entitled “What the Shoes Say…”, the highly respected shoe expert Meghan Cleary remarks about the nude color pumps that are a staple on many campaign stops. “The heel is solid, not a stiletto. The choice tells me she wants to be on stable ground…. She’s always in heels. It must be the former beauty queen in her”, Cleary said.

Does Cindy McCain See Eye To Eye with John?

There has been much evidence supporting the fact that both John and Cindy McCain both stand at 5-7 inch height. If that is the case, there is a clear mystery surrounding how he can be standing eye to eye with her on stage at the various conventions when she is sporting three-inch heels. In an Associated Content article by Jilita Horton, she makes a comvincing argument about how John must have to wear two-inch shoe lifts in his $520 Italian loafers by Salvatore Ferragamo in order to accomplish this feat.

Cindy McCain’s Overall Ratings (Out of 5 Stars)

• Fashion Friendly Rating: ***** 5 Stars
• Fashion Obsessed Rating: ***** 5 Stars
• Budget Friendly Rating: ** 2 Stars

McCain’s Daughter More Obsessed With Shoes Than Politics

Cindy McCain’s daughter Meghan doesn’t escape the spotlight. In fact, she’s an aspiring fashion designer. Her style reflects her youth; she loves to wear tights, loose tops, tunics, and structured dresses and jackets. According to a recent Washington Post article, Meghan carries five pairs of shoes around with her and has, she says, “the biggest suitcase on the trail.”

In Meghan’s blogette, she can’t resist dishing about her own favorite picks for shoe designers. In her “”Some of My Favorite Things” post submitted on May 12, 2008, she clearly lists Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, and Christian Louboutin as her favorite shoe designers. According to Meghan McCain’s Blogette and The Blackbird Whistling or Just After, she personally loves Kate Spade and Barbara Bui shoes. Her passion for designer footwear can also be found in comments sprinkled throughout her blogette. For instance, she remarked about the “really cute shoes” Chelsea Clinton wore when they met. Constantly tuned into the shoe choices she encounters on the campaign trail, Meghan even speculates on the shoes worn by Dick Armey and Henry Kissinger. “Because I love shoes, and who doesn’t want to know what kind of shoes Dr. Kissinger wears?” she writes on her blog.

Her Kate Spade Coco shoes are suede chunky sandals with back straps, definitely a fun shoe for the girl on the go. It’s versatile; it can be worn during the day or converted to night wear with the right outfit and accessories.

On the other hand, Barbara Bui shoes are made by a Parisian designer with an eye for chic and simplicity. They are usually structured and romantic; very right now, just like Meghan.

Meghan McCain’s Overall Ratings (Out of 5 Stars)

• Fashion Friendly Rating: **** 4 Stars
• Fashion Obsessed Rating: ***** 5 Stars
• Budget Friendly Rating: *** 3 Stars

Michelle Obama’s Classic Style of JFK’s Wife

On the Democratic side, many observers have compared aspiring First Lady Michelle Obama to style icon Jackie Onassis. JFK’s wife will always be remembered for the intelligent poise and elegance with which she handled being First Lady. She’ll always be remembered as the quintessential First Lady of Class.

Michelle Obama stands at a formidable 5′11″ but in addition to her ballet flats, she still loves to wear stilettos and sling back kitten heels. Fashion Today has seen her on BCBG Girl’s Shoes. According to “America’s Shoe Expert” and Host of HSN’s Shoe Therapy, Meghan Cleary, “Michelle Obama has a hint of Midwestern sensibility, coordinating her accessories and her clothes.” “Michelle Obama knows fashion but she wears it in a practical way — just look at the hidden wedge on her ballet flats or the patent leather riding boots she wore in Iowa early this year. She’ll alternate between flats and stilettos. “She’s also cognizant of the occasion. And, she likes shiny and metallic.” Cleary says.

On her recent October 27 appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Michelle admitted to purchasing lots of her outfits online because its so convenient and shopping at J. Crew. In a July interview by Maria Menounos recorded for Access Hollywood with the Obama family, Michelle Obama discussed shopping on a budget and finding fashion bargains. She said that she usually shops at The Gap for herself and her daughters.

Salon News also lists Jimmy Choo Killer Boots and Cole Haan Air Camille Ballet flats among her choices of footwear. Michelle Obama prefers a classic style with an occasional edgy accent. She has an old soul, but there is definitely vigor, casual comfort and vivacity hiding underneath it.

Michelle Obama’s Overall Ratings (Out of 5 Stars)

• Fashion Friendly Rating: *** 3 Stars
• Fashion Obsessed Rating: ***** 2 Stars
• Budget Friendly Rating: **** 4 Stars

Sarah’s Fashion Makeover Headed by Washington Insider Socialite

Former beauty queen and aspiring vice-president Sarah Palin has a playful and fresh style that is certainly creating waves in the political fashion scene. Who wears a hot red leather jacket while campaigning? Only Sarah Palin. A recent NY Observer article revealed that Sarah’s fashion makeover may be masterminded by the women referred to as “the best dress Republican in town.” Gahl Hodges Burt, served as the “social secretary to First Lady Nancy Reagan from 1983 to 1985. She is also reportedly providing valuable style tips to first lady hopeful Cindy McCain. This fashion guidance may have come not a moment too soon. In an unconfirmed report by the blog Abovetopsecret, Sarah was spotted wearing and quickly changing out of a pair of white pumps several days past Labor Day!

Sarah Sparks a Frenzy in Shoe Sales!

According to Dayjobnuker, she adorned Naughty Monkey Double Dare Pumps during her VP acceptance speech. Made of patent leather with formidable four-inch heels and mini-buckle, these chic red shoes complement the energetic hockey mom yet “not to be underestimated” politician image that Palin wants to project. Also, the affordability of these shoes deliver the message that she has a lot in common with the average American woman. In a Wall St Journal article entitled “Palin’s Style Sparks Buying Frenzy, And Fashion Firms Rush to Cash In” sales of these Naughty Monkey shoes at the Amazon online retailer unit Endless shot up 50% to thousands of pairs shortly after this appearance.

So, you may wonder what the target market is for this designer brand of shoes? According to the official naughty-monkey website, “The Naughty Monkey customer is a fashion innovator, confident in her sense of style; knowing what she wants and what she likes.…. She is funky, sophisticated and edgy, with a touch of sweet.”

After being thrust into the national spotlight, unintended or not, Sarah has created a fashion buzz that is “Red Carpet like”. Is she perceived as much (or more) as a celebrity icon as a political icon amongst her female supporters? Her influence is not limited to shoes. Eyeglass distributors have seen a similar upsurge in demand for the exact shape and style of her designer specs. Dr. Joyce Brothers, the consumer psychologist has commented: “She’s what’s new, and consumers want what’s new.”

VP Debate Shoe Mystery Solved!

The high profile ShoeAholicsAnonymous site was instrumental in solving the mystery about which designer shoes Sarah choose to wear to the pivotal vice presidential debates. The ultimate consensus was that Sarah selected the Kate Spade Karolina Classic Pumps in Ruby Crocco Patent Print for this historical occassion. These shoe choices mirror Palin’s strong yet fun and spontaneous political vision.

For those looking to emulate the Palin look for less than the $300 price tag for the Karolina pumps, there are some clear choices out there. Mossimo Danae Buckle Pumps andPleaser Women’s Seduce 420 Pumps look similar to Palin’s shoe favorites, but cost much less says Budgetfashionista.

“Who is the real Sarah Palin? Wal-Mart hockey mom or a clothes horse?”

The recent controversial shopping sprees with hefty price tags of $75,062 at Neiman Marcus and $49,425 at Saks Fifth Avenue are a stark contrast to Sarah’s pre-campaign shopping habits. Sarah told FoxNews “If people knew how Todd and I and our kids shop so frugally. My favourite shop is a consignment shop in Anchorage, Alaska, called Out of the Closet. And my shoe store is called Shoe Fly in Juneau, Alaska. … It’s not, you know, Fifth Avenue-type of shopping.”

As a matter of fact, Sarah Palin bought her own Naughty Monkey Double Dare pumps from Shoefly Inc, in Juneau, Alaska two weeks before her VP acceptance speech. High.heels.com quotes Sydney Mitchell from Shoefly as saying, “Although not everyone agrees with her politics, everyone can agree that she wears sexy shoes.”

As reported by US Magazine, in a recent Monday (10/27/08) edition of the the morning shoe, The View, host Joy Behar asked the question “”Who is the real Sarah Palin? The Wal-Mart hockey mom or a clothes horse?” Co-ost Elizabeth Hasselbeck, staunch Palin supporter came out in defense of Sarah’s recent shopping controversy. She said: “(Palin) calls Jimmy Choos, Johnny Choos. This is not a fashionista by any means. She’s not a clotheshorse.”

Shoeaholicsanonymous has seen Sarah making a smooth transition into the Fall Season with these Cole Haan Sierra Air Tall Boots made of leather and suede.

Sarah Palin’s Overall Ratings (Out of 5 Stars)

• Fashion Friendly Rating: Pre VP Spotlight *** 3 Stars
• Budget Friendly Rating: Pre VP Spotlight **** 4 Stars
• Fashion Obsessed Rating: Pre VP Spotlight ** 2 Stars
• Fashion Friendly Rating: Post VP Spotlight **** 4 Stars
• Budget Friendly Rating: Post VP Spotlight ** 2 Stars
• Fashion Obsessed Rating: Post VP Spotlight ** 4 Stars

Indeed, the coming election is just another catwalk for these powerful and fashionable women with distinct tastes when it comes to shoes. After all, their next step might just lead them to the White House. Hopefully, the shoes profiled here revealed interesting facts about the owner which should be known by voters, rather than their fashion sense and the shoes they wear influencing voters.