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Cindy McCain's $313,000 Outfit

September 05, 2008 2:13 PM

ABC News' Bianna Golodryga reports: Most fashion experts will tell you that Cindy McCain looked like a million bucks during this week's Republican National Convention. In reality, it was more like $313,000.

Nm_cindy_mccain_080905_main We've been reminded time and time again that the potential first lady is also heiress to a beer distribution fortune valued at as much as $100 million.

According to Vanity Fair magazine, one ensemble worn last week by McCain was valued at over $300,000. That's nearly $100,000 more than the median price of a U.S. home today.

The article describes what McCain and first lady Laura Bush wore Sept. 1, the first day of the Republican convention. Both women, who are fans of designer-to-the-stars Oscar de la Renta, wore suits from his label, priced between $2,500 and $3,000. But when it comes to jewelry, McCain far outshone Bush, wearing four-strand pearl necklaces valued at $11,000 to $25,000 and a stunning pair of three-carat diamond earnings with an appraised value of $280,000.

The article focuses on the lavish and expensive style McCain openly exhibits time and time again during public appearances, and compares it to that of Michelle Obama's. You'll recall that the McCain team has labeled Barack Obama as an arugula-eating elitist. Following that assertion, team Obama picked up on the fact that Senator McCain did not know how many homes he owns (We later found out it was 8). The article questions whether Cindy McCain's expensive taste and lifestyle comes off as hypocritical, and if it damages the Republican's claim that they are more in touch with average Americans.

In a June interview with Vogue magazine, McCain said that she preferred suits made by the German designer Escada, which run around $3,000. She went on to say that if she became first lady, she would consider switching to American designer Carolina Herrera, whose suits go for roughly the same price.

At the same time, Obama also won rave reviews for the blue dress she wore the night of her speech during the Democratic convention. but unlike McCain's designer frock, Obama's was designed by a lesser known designer Obama has long been a fan of. Maria Pinto, a former Geoffrey Beene assistant was been a favorite of Michelle Obama's for a long time, and has designed many of the suits she's worn along the campaign trail. One dress worn during a stump in June was valued at around $900. (A hefty price most working class women would not be able to afford either.)

But despite attracting tabloid fodder, how relevant is the issue? Does the American voter really care about how much money first ladies spend on their wardrobes. Looking back through history, and reviewing former and hopeful first ladies, the answer is: not really.

First off, expensive taste has applied to both parties. The most famous first lady that comes to mind is Jackie Kennedy. American men wanted to be with her, while women, wanted to BE her -- talk like her, travel like her, decorate like her, and yes… DRESS like Jackie O.

She transformed the White House from the drab Eisenhower style, to the classiest residence in the world. She introduced the world to Camelot and its expensive closet, which included frocks from some of the world's most elite designers: Oleg Cassini, Herbert de Givenchy, Christian Dior and Pierre Cardin. We later found out that her lavish spending, while drawing the awe and admiration of millions, also drew the ire of her husband, who repeatedly warned her that her privileged lifestyle could alienate her from her adoring public.

And Jackie wasn’t the only one. Nancy Reagan also had a penchant for expensive clothes and jewelry. Her inaugural gown was valued at $25,000.

And how about Teresa Heinz Kerry, whose estimated net worth is five times that of Cindy McCain's? She is constantly seen in designer suits, is said to be a slave to cashmere, and has her own private plane.

Vanity Fair picks up on McCain's three-carat diamond earrings, but when it comes to diamond studs, Nancy Pelosi doesn't hide her Tahitian pearl necklaces or diamond earrings when speaking about Americans losing their jobs in a weak economy.

Let's face it, whether we like it or not, most presidential hopefuls, their wives, and even high-ranking politicians, can afford things that the average American cannot. And that notion seems to have been accepted by the general public. In fact, there seems to be more criticism and attention drawn to women with a questionable sense of fashion (think Barbara Bush, Hillary Clinton), than those with an expensive one.

As popular women's apparel line Alice + Olivia owner and designer Stacey Bendet told me, "I think the first lady should look first class. I love fabulous earrings...I don't want to stare at a first lady in a frumpy suit. She represents our country and should be a style inspiration."

Selling that point to the general public (and media) may be a little more difficult however, when the nation faces its highest unemployment rate in five years.

September 5, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (410)

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Doesn't Bianna ever report any real news?

Posted by: JP | Sep 5, 2008 2:23:41 PM

The fashion industry needs to come to this woman's rescue. This is the UGLIEST dress ever put together, and looks even uglier on a blond for crying out loud. WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE BURN THIS DRESS???

Posted by: AC | Sep 5, 2008 2:24:05 PM

She should have saved her money, you can put lipstick on a pig it's still a pig. Perhaps a mask would help more than clothes, nothing can detract from her wax like cold frightening appearance.

Posted by: Hege! | Sep 5, 2008 2:25:13 PM

So, the woman has money and dresses accordingly. Maybe should should stop by her local Walmart and pick up something people would like better. *sigh* She has never made an effort to hide either her dress sense or her wealth. Maybe if so many people on this site weren't so jealous of people with money, there wouldn't be so much overt hostility in your caustic, churlish remarks. You all need to focus on something real in this election.

Posted by: Lisa Again | Sep 5, 2008 2:28:21 PM

"The Money News That Matters to You From the ABC News Business Team"

uh, no, ABC..I don't think so.

Posted by: just your average Jane | Sep 5, 2008 2:28:55 PM

I thought I heard somewhere that Cindy McCain's father work for the mob at one time? And didn't he serve prison time? How would a convicted felon be given the job he got after prison? Would every felon be able to get that job?

Posted by: SB | Sep 5, 2008 2:29:32 PM

Good grief, it looks like something purchased from the Good Will!

Posted by: Rosemary | Sep 5, 2008 2:29:53 PM

Talk about going lower in class from ABC. First off, if you've got it flaunt it! Why keep the jewelry in the jewelry box? The differece with Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain is that Cindy isn't afraid of wearing this. Michelle doesn't want anyone to be able to afford such a necklace with her husband's socialistic views. They believe in redistribution. Since they don't want anyone to wear nice jewelry, the jewelry business will be obsolete and cause more people to loose their jobs! Just what the Obama's want!

Posted by: justrighttoo | Sep 5, 2008 2:30:10 PM

this is just ridiculous - more of the liberal left leaning media highlighting those awful, shameless republicans...guess what - i bet pretty much everything she wore was earned - with her own hard work...now i'll just wait for all those comments about how she's an heiress and she was born into the money, blah, blah, blah - get over it!

Posted by: lolomcq | Sep 5, 2008 2:30:14 PM

I love the yellow dress. McCain's dress looks fancy and beautiful on her. Not thing wrong with it, the one that complained may not a tailor or designer anytime in their life. She looks younger than her real age.

Posted by: Lynn Hennessy | Sep 5, 2008 2:31:23 PM

Hum... The McCain's 8 houses, John's $500 shoes and Cindy's $300,000 oufit sure don't represent people who understand Americans struggling to keep their houses from forclosure, a 6.1% unemployement rate and $4.00/gal gasoline. These rich elitist republicans are going to bring "change" from the rich elitist republicans who've held power the last 8 years? Now that's not change you can believe in.

Posted by: AppeaseThis | Sep 5, 2008 2:31:50 PM

I think she looks fabulous and extremely classy, just like a future First Lady should look. By the way, her dress did not cost $313,000, it cost $3,000. They added in all her jewelry and accesories for that higher price. And whose to say they weren't borrowed? People, give her a break! I think there are more important issues than the out there than Cindy McCain's outfit.

Posted by: AB | Sep 5, 2008 2:32:14 PM

p.s. It's good to know that the democrats still believe in class warfare. It must feel good to be jealous of someone else's wealth. Talk about waste of time!

Posted by: justrighttoo | Sep 5, 2008 2:33:09 PM

Cindy probably also had to bite her lip from saying, "Thank God no poor people are in the audience," while standing in her nearly half-million dollar frock.

Out of touch? Yeah. But when there's little brain power to reason outside of your own little world, there's no letting reality in.

Posted by: Martin | Sep 5, 2008 2:33:48 PM

Looks like a dress made out of a converted raincoat.

Posted by: Carson | Sep 5, 2008 2:34:37 PM

Looks like a dress made out of a converted raincoat.

Posted by: Carson | Sep 5, 2008 2:34:38 PM

Does anyone recall that Mrs. Carter dressed as if she ordered her clothes from the Sears catalog? Does anyone also realize that these women have means and they did not necessarily buy their jewelry and accessories just for this event and may have had them for a number of years? And who wouldn't buy a fab dress if they were going to address a gazillion people on what could well be one of the most important weeks of her husband's life? You spend in relation to your economic status. They also give PLENTY to charity.... please also note that Obama gave the money that was donated by Rezko to charity, but only AFTER he found out that he was being investigated/charged by the Feds ...

Posted by: DLH | Sep 5, 2008 2:35:04 PM

I have no problem with a rich person spending as much as he or she wishes and can afford on clothing and jewelry. But Mrs. McCain (and the spouses of other candidates) aren't private persons. Rightly or wrongly, everything they do will be scrutinized and can affect the candidate. For Mrs. McCain to parade such great wealth is simply impolitic when Republicans are trying to label Obama as "elitist."

Posted by: Katia | Sep 5, 2008 2:35:35 PM

If I am a millionare, I may put on fancy necklace, ear rings.. , just like her. Too bad the one couldn't afford them more likely to complain about other women. It is Cindy McCain choice, women stand for beauti. Nothing wrong with beeing rich as long as people earn it with moral way. I am wearing everyday 12K ring, why noone ahve made any comment so far in the last 15 years since I put it on.

Posted by: Lynn Hennessy | Sep 5, 2008 2:36:14 PM

What a misleading title of this article - Did anyone add up the price of Michelle Obama's jewelry plus her shoes plus her outfit and write an article about that - of course not -

maybe the jewelry are gifts from her husband or passed down from her Mother - anyone care to ask those questions.

Posted by: Deborah | Sep 5, 2008 2:36:14 PM

Wow, the left are covering all angles these days. Look, someone has to spend money to keep the economy going and pay for entitlement programs.

Posted by: Oh Please! | Sep 5, 2008 2:36:47 PM

ELITIST!!!!!!!!!! People are losing there homes for that much money!

Posted by: Rob | Sep 5, 2008 2:38:33 PM

It's America: you want it? Earn it! Quit waiting on the earners of teh world to give it to you! C'mon Bianna: quit yer complaining and jump in and make something of yourself - you can do it, hon!

Posted by: Big'ones | Sep 5, 2008 2:38:46 PM

Wow. Sure didn't look that expensive. Both Michelle and Cindy look great in their designer clothes. I think Palin needs to get a stylist SOON. It is nice to just blog on a topic that doesn't require any thought! ha.

Posted by: Bea | Sep 5, 2008 2:38:55 PM

I'm a Democrat and I still think this is a ridiculous story. Vanity Fair is just guessing at how much this outfit costs. We already know she's rich and that 95% of the population does not identify with her. Can't we stick to the issues? Like how McCain is pro-military, pro-life, and will extend tax cuts to the rich? Leave his wife out of it.

Posted by: Ivy | Sep 5, 2008 2:40:23 PM

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