Cindy McCain wears $300,000 outfit

Apparently, it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling. Vanity Fair is reporting that the potential First Lady Cindy McCain — known for her rhinestone lapel pins — wore three-carat diamond earrings estimated at $280,000 and a $4,500 Chanel watch on Tuesday night. Tally that with her $3,000 Oscar de la Renta dress.
Here are VF's estimates:

Laura Bush
Oscar de la Renta suit: $2,500
Stuart Weitzman heels: $325
Pearl stud earrings: $600–$1,500
Total: Between $3,425 and $4,325

Cindy McCain
Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000–$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100

"There is nothing new except what has been forgotten." - Marie Antoinette

Clearly, McCain thinks the red carpet leads to the White House. But with foreclosures galore and that pesky recession ever nipping at our Louboutin heels, isn't it time to cut back on the glitz? And does she really need four strands of pearls?--Monica Corcoran

Photo: Getty Images

Comments

[ed6567]

Well, she does it because she can. That's great that she can, why should she hide it? Flaunt it, Cindy, it's yours. It's not even from your husband.

[ed6567]

Well, she does it because she can. That's great that she can, why should she hide it? Flaunt it, Cindy, it's yours. It's not even from your husband.

[Liz Wetzel]

Do you know why the show GOSSIP GIRL is a hit? Because its a fantasy show about an enviroment
that most girls/women can never be in.

Do you know why they can never be in there? Because the rich GOPS keeps screwing Average Joes.

The Middle Class has already disappeared. Yes, flaunt it McCain, flaunt that you really dont care about the rest of the women.

[marian]

Just another example of how out of touch the McCains are. If Michelle Obama had that much bling on it would be the top story of the day. There are people in America who are struggling to pay gas and put food on the table and Cindy McCain flaunts her wealth for all to see. Unbelievable.

[Mark]

The Gilded Age is alive and well in America, and for those who aren't rich, too bad.

That should be the GOP motto.

[Amy]

How many lives could $300,000 save in humanitarian work? She makes herself out to be a darling, championing her generosity, yet she spends her wealth on frivolous objects She seems to be putting her image first, not the people. It is one thing to look good, it is another to be a glutton.

[bradley]

As Dolly Parton once said "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap...".

[Karol Otaku]

Give me a break. If Michele Obama wore the same thing she would be lauded as a fashion icon and on magazine covers immediately. If Cindy McCain wore anything less, she'd be criticized for not being "First Lady" material. Did anyone ever tally up Jackie O's outfits and criticize her? Absolutely hypocritical.

[alex]

Bravo, Amy! What a great observation. As much as I am anti-Microsoft, I have to give it to Bill Gates for all his humanitarian work. It's so baffling to me that there aren't more super-rich that do that. Clearly, Cindy McCain falls into that category. If only for poltical reasons, you'd think she'd be more into helping out her fellow Americans than in bling bling.

Of course, she's a Republican, so she probably thinks she's helping out us little people by spending her millions. After all, it trickles down, right?

[Steve]

Seems awfully elitist to me. Wait, wasn't that Obama who is supposed to be elitist? I'm not sure what to think anymore.

[James P]

"How many lives could $300,000 save in humanitarian work?..."

Oh, fer cryingoutloud. Grow up.

[MUSTANGSNME]

The whole Cindy McCain package is disgusting! From her face lift to her accesories. Yes Cindy we know you are better off financially than most Americans but really, must you throw it in our face.

Mustangsnme

[Kimber]

This is America-Cindy Mcain is a prime example of what Michelle Obama said in her speech.
" Work hard and succeed" The American Dream.
Cindy has worked very hard and she should be able to wear what she wants in spite of jealous peoples opinion. Cindy is a class act. Michelle Obamas clothing does not come from Wall-Mart.

[Dee]

I am a fan of John McCain and I love Sarah Palin but Cindy needs a make-over. The word that comes to mind regarding her look is "thin"...thin stringy hair, thin lips, thin face and thin body. The second word that comes to mind is "harsh"...harsh over-bleached hair, harsh make-up and often a harsh expression on her face. She does not look inviting nor does she look like she has anything in common with the modern American woman. She should cut her hair blunt at or above the shoulder and let it move. Those stringy spiked bangs have good to go but her forehead doesn't look so good either. Maybe a soft, side-swept bang that comes a little lower on her forehead. Her hair color should be warmer a la Diane Sawyer. Her face would look softer if she gained a few pounds and her lips should be made to look fuller and softer with lighter lipstick. I don't like short short hair but I actually thought it looked good on her...much better than this creepy hairdo she has now.

[Lauren]

Anyone know who designed the outfit warn by Sarah Palin at her convention speech? I'm curious to know what the party had the Alaskan VP nominee wearing for her big debut.

[DKLB]

Vanity Fair is so HYPOCRITICAL. Isn't this the kind of fashion they peddle to the rich?? Last I heard, Cindy McCain was RICH.

Poster "marian" is exactly right: "If Michelle Obama had that much bling on it would be the top story of the day."

Why? Because last we heard the Obama's do not have that kind of money! So, does that make Cindy McCain a bad person because she has money?

Who would you rather take financial advice from? Someone who is not quite broke, or someone who has successfully proven they can own 7 houses without cheating anyone?

[DBP]

Sorry DKLB.. there is something about "without cheating anyone" that makes me think of the S&L disaster and the Keating 5. No day in the sunshine for the dems, but perhaps this shows McCain is willing to cross party lines... if it benefits him. Yes, charges were dropped and he called this the biggest mistake of his life... perhaps because he was caught? Wonder what else he has been into and been more careful NOT to get caught?

[Karen]

Hey folks!

The hardest work Cindi McCain did was being born to a very successful man. And being legitimate.

NPR ran the story of her father's other daughter - someone in the family cut off that woman's credit cards before her father's body was cold. Cindi's sister is just sick of hearing how Cindi is the only child...

[Dwight]

Cindy looks very European. Very un-American.

Why, she looks like she should be John Kerry's wife!

[Steve]

Does everybody have to spend their money on helping out the less fortunate? Why can't we look good?

Amy, unless you shop at 2nd hand stores and donate the money you save to charity, you don't really have any substance to your argument. Everybody can talk the talk, but unless you walk the walk...

[Randy]

Wow, this woman has a LOT of class. I'd be proud to call her our 'first lady'. It's her money and let her spend it as she wishes. She's done a lot for others. Has any other candidates family adopted an orphan, spent time around the world helping the disadvantaged? She's a does, not a talker. This woman has CLASS>

[Monica]

Cindy didn't wear the price on her sleeve. No one would know how much her outfit cost if it wasn't estimated and reported in the news. Her father built a successful business with hard work and lots of blood, sweat and tears -- now she enjoys the rewards.

After her speech last night, it sounds like the woman has spent a lot of money helping the poor and has dedicated many years to humanitarian efforts. Please give her credit for her contributions and stop the attacks on all these women. Let's support them -- perhaps it's time to let women take over all these key positions and send the men back home to watch the kids!

[Madeline E.]

When Michelle Obama was on The View she wore a $98 off-the-rack dress from the mall. While I'm sure her convention dresses cost quite a bit more (they were beautiful and she looked beautiful) she looks healthy and natural and not over done.

[Peter Kaye]

Kimber: you say that Cindy McCain has "worked very hard" -- can you provide some examples of that? To my knowledge, she had the good fortune of being born to a very wealthy beer distributor who left all of his money to her (and almost none at all to her half-sister, whose very existence Cindy McCain tends to gloss over ... much as the RNC video glossed over that John and Cindy's "love at first sight" took place while he was still married to his first wife...)

[Kelli]

I love her outfit, but let's be honest, when you are trying to connect with the public ( middle class) this was probably not the best outfit to pull out of the closet. Everyone knows they have money, and it is okay to flaunt it, but not at the RNC!