WHAT DOES SARAH PALIN’S IMAGE SAY ABOUT HER?

With less than two weeks until Election Day, what does Sarah Palin’s image say about her?

We’ve read about her, heard her speeches, seen her on SNL, however when three of Global Image Group’s team members weigh in on the image Palin projects, see what they have to say.

Personal Shopper Christina Wood:

Style has never been more important than it is in this election when we have many powerful women on stage using different style strategies to get their message across. As a woman in the spotlight of a high-profile race, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, 44, has stolen the campaign’s style spotlight. This former beauty queen is able to project authority while still seem approachable.

Her hair is carefree and “done” at the same time. The untidiness of her up-do has a can-do spirit. In December, Sarah Palin traded in her dark-framed plastic glasses for her trademark Kazuo Kawasaki Rimless, the 704 series in 34 gray, which retail for $375-$700 depending on the lenses. When Sen. John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his VP running mate, she was wearing a pair of open-toed red patent leather Naughty Monkey Double Dare Pumps. The only difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull is lipstick, she said in her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Matching the lipstick with the suit jacket was another sign of fearlessness. She wears skirts that are quite form-fitting to lend a ladylike silhouette, one of the key trends for fall. As well as the presence of grey in her ensembles, the hot color this season. The VP candidate arrived at the United Nations on September 24 in a gray pencil skirt and Barbie-pink jacket. The Los Angeles Times dubbed the outfit, complete with grey jacket, that she wore on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention the “take-me-seriously” look. For her big speech in St. Paul, where she accepted the GOP’s vice-presidential nod, this fashion-conscious Alaska governor splurged on a $2,500 shantung silk jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue designed by Valentino Garavani. This is not to say that style is a substitute for substance, but because she’s a relative unknown, style is a lot of what we know about Palin. No doubt, her positions on the issues will eclipse our fascination with the brand of eyeglasses she wears.

Image Consultant Michelle T. Sterling:

From an image management perspective, Sarah Palin is as crafty in how she dresses as she is in delivering her speeches. It doesn’t really matter if her recent appearance on SNL was a positive or negative political ploy. What matters is that it was a ploy! If anyone knows how to capture an audience, it’s Sarah Palin.

Palin never had any intention of singing that song on SNL; look at what she was wearing! It was a good publicity ploy. Dressed in a black tailored suit, her hair in her signature up-do, and wearing her glasses, she meant business and looked like she was ready to debate rather than rap. The message her image projected on SNL is that she is in charge, in control, and knows what she is doing. Sarah Palin knows when she needs to dress down and appeal to the people as seen during her appearance in Colorado on October 20^th below. Perhaps Palin’s image consultant accidentally switched outfits for these appearances? Not likely!

During this appearance she is dressed down in leather in an effort to connect with the “sporty” style of Coloradoans. However her decision to wear a RED leather jacket not only reinforces her assertiveness and her pit-bull personality but also illustrates she has a firm grasp of the image she wants to project.

Palin knows what she is doing from an image perspective and is skilled in manipulating her visual message. I only wish she was as skilled with the English language. While I understand she is trying to appeal and relate to the middle class of American, she takes it to another level with ‘They’re Maverickin.’

Communications Coach and Political Rhetorical Analysis Expert LeeAundra Temescu:

Sarah Palin is an exemplar of Republican glamour – a balance of what should be polar opposites, conservative family values and sexy, fashion forward style. Palin’s speaking style conveys confidence and spunk. She’s credible but with a little bit of flair (for a Republican). Her vocal mannerisms, such as dropping her “g”’s and using sayings such as “you betcha” all convey a very folksy presence that plays well in the heartland.

Her history, family and ideological positions are so solid, she can afford to play with elements of style like extremely high heels and tight skirts that would compromise the credibility of most other women, especially Republicans. These feminine details also work because they are offset by her macho reputation as a hunter and “moose dresser”. Her real genius lies in her knowing exactly how far to go.

Her style illustrates risk taking that many more traditionally minded women wish they could engage in. More than a few are living vicariously through her. It’s not surprising that she’s so popular among Republican women.