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

[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!

[Jeannie]

I don't usually read or post on these type of things but I can't resist. In fact, I only looked up the article because I absolutely could not believe that it was true.
No, it does not mean you are a bad person if you have money. We all strive to reach certain financial levels and we should be proud of those who are able to work hard and succeed. The problem here is one of sensitivity and judgement. While Cindy McCain has the right to flaunt her wealth any way she would like, she should have considered all the people sitting at their kitchen table trying to make ends meet, save their homes from foreclosure, buy groceries, pay for healthcare, etc. It was poor judgment on her part to wear such an expensive outfit. She cannot even pretend to understand what the average American is going through these days of economic turmoil because she is so far removed from it. In comparison, Michelle Obama looks equally sophisticated but rumor has it she shops at Chicos, Target and the Gap. I want my next first lady to have enough confidence and substance that her style will be secondary to her genuine knowledge and concern for her fellow citizens.

[Jules]

This is why we should eat the rich.

And remember what is at stake in this election - A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

[Lisa]

Karol Otaku is apparently very young -- Yes, Jackie Kennedy was widely criticized for the amount of money she spent for her clothes. And for using "foreign" designers. And for smoking. And for a number of other things. She was, however, also widely emulated. Thanks to Mrs. Kennedy, American women flocked to buy off-the-rack knockoffs of designer clothing, thereby giving a boost to the American clothing industry. In short, people were just as mean-spirited in the '60s as they are now.

[Jules]

To the comment that Alex made about the Republicans believing that money will trickle down - DUDE! That is so old school. Now it's MIST down.

[Mark]

It doesn't matter how many Gucci bags you string around the neck of an old drug addict....is this someone that we really want representing our country?

[Mark]

It doesn't matter how many Gucci bags you string around the neck of an old drug addict....is this someone that we really want representing our country?

[La*C]

"DKLB said: 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?"

Last I heard when they asked John McCain how many houses he owned he said, "I don't know...5?"

Just to be clear, somebody finally got that cleared up?

He now knows how many houses he owns?

[La*C]

I would never give grief to anybody who flaunts their wealth. If I had it I would flaunt it to. But, I don't have wealth. This time a year and a half ago, I was comfortable. Now, I'm broke. Thanks to the current Republican government.

So, in a First Lady I would rather not see somebody who displays this sort of wealth. I want to see somebody who is more in touch with people like me....the "used to be" middle class.

[Kelly]

Cindy McCain's shoes are by Taryn Rose. They are called the Cali and are in black patent. They retail for $475.

[Observer]

Well, one things for sure, you won't see any newspaper executives wearing those kind of cloths. They'll be shopping at goodwill. Time to close down the LATimes. Newspapers are such a waste of paper, trees, ink, and other valuable natural resources.

[Hosea]

...we should not speak upon teenage-want say it-; and the
exorbitant amount of -want say- Cindy McCain's appearance bespoke to all Americans. Republican Party talking point: "that's not fair".

[Jj]

We're supposed to care about this? Excuse me, but I'm more interested in the issues and what will be done and how they'll be handled.

Pretty shallow to even give a hoot about this...IMHO of course. ;)

[mary beth]

Here's what makes Cindy McCain a "bad" person:
1. the treatment of her half-sister
2. wearing a $300,000 ensemble while "Rome burns" so to speak.
3. having an affair with a married man (yes, John McCain)

The cost of her outfit does matter. I'm sorry, it does. Does she fancy herself Marie Antoinette?

[Marilyn]

It is in incredibly BAD TASTE to discuss what people's clothes cost! Why are all of you so obsessed by what other people WEAR and how much their jewelry cost? It is none of your business.

[Cherie]

Wow - I'm really surprised at the tone of the majority of the emails. One would think we're living in a socialist or communist society instead of a capitalist nation. Why would anyone begrudge Cindy McCain wearing something she can afford to purchase? Does anyone fault Oprah for wearing her jewelry or buying mulitiple houses? Does anyone fault any other celebrities for spending their money? They're in the public eye too. This country is where everyone in the world would like to live because people can actually achieve success here! Kudos to successful people because that's what makes the USA great!