Palin's Pretty Priority

Once upon a time, politics was drab, boring and unattractive.

Then came Sarah Palin.

Reports surfaced this week claiming Palin's make up artist as the highest paid staff member on the McCain/Palin campaign.

For a two week period in October, Emmy nominated make-up artist Amy Strozzi painted Mrs Palin's face for $22800.

Astoundingly, this is more than Randy Scheunemann earned in the same period.

He is John McCain's chief foreign policy adviser.

It all seems to be a matter of priorities: policies or pretty faces?

Originally billed as McCain's "hockey mom" off-sider, 44 year old Palin is losing favour with her early supporters.

In addition to the make up artist, Mrs Palin was given $150,000 to spend on upgrading her wardrobe.

Considering this is an average mortgage, the average "hockey mom" would hardly have such a fashion allowance.

When asked about these expenditures, a spokeswoman for the campaign referred to Palin's mostly Saks Fifth Avenue purchases as "strategic decisions".

Commenting further, another spokeswoman said "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it’s remarkable that we’re spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses".

Savvy fashionistas, particularly those Mrs Palin is attempting to appeal to, know that $150,000 can buy a lot more than a couple of "pantsuits and blouses".

A quick look at the Saks website proves just that.

A Jean Paul Gaultier Mixed Wool Jacket holds a US$2150 price tag, with the matching wide leg trousers cashing in at US$860.

With an Armani Collezioni Assymetrical Ruffle Blouse thrown in for $545, Mrs Palin would be up for $3555: a mere 2.37% of her $150,000 budget.

Based on these high-end designer prices, she could buy 42 pantsuit and blouse combinations.

Mrs Palin needs to read Vivienne Westwood's advice.

Thankfully those in the know claim the "clothing will go to a charitable purpose after the campaign".

Anyone for a spot of Alaskan op-shopping?

"Towel Shawl Anyone?" The Grande Dame's advice.

Touted as the "Grande Dame of British fashion", designer Vivienne Westwood will hardly need to tighten her patent leather waist belt in these tough dollar days.

Casting her eye across the credit card toting great unwashed, Ms Westwood has offered advice to penny-pinched ladies seeking to maintain their sense of style, while still affording the rent.

At Westwood's Gold Label show in Paris, GraziaUK reported the flame-haired designer suggests women take a do-it-yourself approach to fashion.

"In these hard times, there is status in wearing your clothes over and over until they grow old or fall apart," Westwood said.

She recommends creating "necklaces out of safety pins" and using curtains, tablecloths and towels for shawls.

Known for always pushing the traditional boundaries of style, particularly for a lady pushing sixty years young, Westwood seems more likely than many to wear a towel shawl with her evening gown.

As a more realistically stylish alternative, the Grande Dame also offers forward a mix-and-match idea that cash savvy fashionistas have been flauting for decades.

Westwood suggests women style beautiful pieces from their own wardrobes with pieces found in the closests of their nearest and dearest.

Unlike Westwood's artist/bus driver take on mix-and-match dressing in this photo, this fashion option now creates an effortless look that can be tailored to suit any wardrobe.

Summer's shirtdress can be done DIY-style by belting the middle of your favourite man's shirt.

And if one would prefer to drive a car instead of spending up on Gucci's US$3295 Hysteria tote, an ethnic-inspired bag borrowed from Mum, or anyone else that was styling in the '70s, would certainly cover all bases.

Modern style is becoming more and more accepting of an individual flavour to dressing.

Visiting op-shops, fossicking through Grandma's wardrobe or picking up one-offs at garage sales are becoming popular ways of piecing an on-trend look together for less.

Just ask the Grande Dame!