Could Gov. Palin Be the Next New Fashion Icon?

Not since the Wizard of Oz,"There's no place like home, there's no place like home," has the popularity of Ruby Red Slippers raised so dramatically. Couple this with an upswept hairdo and rimless glasses, all graciously adorned a top the female GOP vice-president nominee and former beauty queen, and you have the making of a Palin-esque fashion phenomenon. Wig manufacturers, eyeglass makers and shoe companies are all experiencing sales spikes as the demand for Sarah Palin like arraignment quickly sell out following any of her personal and televised appearances. According to Endless.com, sales of the red Naughty Monkey shoes she wore when introduced by GOP presidential candidate McCain as his vice president selection, jumped 50%. The Kawasaki model 704 rimless glasses she wears are on back order. WigSalon.com, who carry a low end and high end model of the upswept hairdo wig, similar to Palin's personal style, also report nearly depleted inventory.

People just keep requesting everything Palin-esque, from the style of the clothing she wears all the way down to her lipstick brand. Where can I get it or can you get it for me is the request being heard in stores across America? Hair, glasses and shoes were easy to document, however, her lipstick and clothing brand, and style have yet to be detected. I guess no one has looked inside her purse or at her dress labels. Allure Magazine has suggested her lipsticks as "Pit-bull-friendly" and "Pig Appropriate" colors, poking fun at comments made by the McClain and Obama camps regarding Palin's politics. Her clothing brand and style...according to hometown folks, she does a lot of personal and family shopping at one of the local thrift stores...Out of the Closet to be exact. According to the store personnel, a number of the outfits she has appeared in since her nomination were once residents of their racks. How "of the people" is that? The GOP vice president candidate shops at the second-hand store. That's something a lot of American's should really be able to get a hold of.

Up until a couple of days before her appearance at the GOP Convention in St. Paul, to give her acceptance speech, Palin still wore sweats to meetings and parties, according to Amy Hansen, a long time friend and member of the Elite Six, a group of six stay at home moms that met frequently in the early 1990's for coffee and exercise, of which Palin was also a member. As a mother, the Chief Executive of Alaska, an avid caribou hunter, and occasional fashion model, Governor Palin's fashion requirements cover such a broad spectrum, so at one time or another; it caters to just about every female fashion need. Amidst hometown scandals of corruption, wrongful firing and her unwed daughter's pregnancy, Palin remains poised, steadfast and smartly dressed. Palin, the former mayor of the town of Wasilla, Alaska was a virtual unknown nationally just a few weeks ago and has now been raised into the national spotlight. A growing segment of American women love her for it and desire to emulate her style.

Fashion creators and manufacturers have always touted loudly when popular celebrities and first ladies dress up and make public appearances in their clothing and accessories. As a result of such notoriety, a few have become fashion icons and household names. But no one appears to be beating a path to Governor Palin's door. Is the GOP that unpopular this election year? With all of the interest in her "secondhand thrift store" appearance, surely someone must be willing to put their politics a side for a little glory, even though it may be short lived. Palin's is currently in the spotlight. Tina Fey of Saturday Night Live returned to the show recently to portray her. Now that's exposure. The market is ready and are crying for satisfaction. Isn't any fashion pundit willing to jump on the Palin-mania bandwagon and create a new fashion icon?