 Ah, what a difference a wink makes. Sarah Palin -- as coquettish as a 16-year-old cheerleader -- winked twice during last week's vice presidential debate. The GOP gobbled it up, with grunts of "atta gal!" The Democrats, not in the mood to be wooed, saw her flirtation with the nation as another ploy to avoid talking turkey.
But it might interest the Alaska governor to know that winking is considered to be rude in many Asian countries, including India.
According to one business guide for executives visiting India, "Winking will usually be perceived as either an insult or a sexual proposition whereas whistling under any
circumstances is considered rude and unacceptable."
Another primer for expats on nonverbal communication overseas notes that the Chinese consider winking to be rude too. In Nigeria, winking is a sign that children should leave the room.
Wondering if you can screw up foreign relations in the wink of an eye? You betcha.
-- Monica Corcoran
Photos: Getty Images
 When Sarah Palin was spotted in Naughty Monkey red patent leather peep-toe pumps last month, the shoe blogs went ape. The $89.95 pumps also sold out fast. The WSJ reported that sales jumped by 50% for the brand known to be a fave among club kids and Paris Hilton. Now, the bloggers who report breathlessly on arches and toe boxes have put out a plaintive plea for identification on Palin's shoes from Thursday's debate.
Over at Shoe Minx, they are imploring readers to name the designer behind Palin's oxblood patent pumps. (If you look closely, you'll see that Palin buys her shoes a 1/2 size too big, because there is a gap between her heel and the lip of the back of the shoe.) BlackBook is convinced that Palin's footwear is designed by Sergio Rossi. But they don't think that the shoes are from the current season. Even Reuters has a close up of the shoes posted on Yahoo.
Did anyone capture Joe Biden's wingtips? Of course not.
-- Monica Corcoran
Photo: Getty Images
 Have you been contemplating Michelle Obama's simple bob, Cindy McCain's crispy waves or Palin's hard-hat updo? Now you can try them all on -- virtually -- using In Style magazine's Hollywood Hair Makeover feature, where you upload a photo of yourself and test-drive different celeb coifs.
Images of McCain, Palin, Obama and Hillary Clinton (whose slicked-back hairstyle is freakily similar to Siegfried's of Siegfried & Roy) can be found under the new "Election" category.
 At left I'm working McCain's overstyled 'do ("You look like an Atlantic City stripper," noted a co-worker) and above, Palin's indestructible bun ("Can I get you another martini before we land, sir?") Now if I could only get into Hillary Clinton's shoes...
-- Emili Vesilind
Orginal photo: Tyler Boye
The lack of black models and the prevalence of razor-thin models has long been the bane of the fashion industry. (At this season's N.Y. Fashion Week, jumpsuits are much more popular than multicultural catwalks, says Reuters.) For an entertaining and infuriating firsthand account of one black model's experience in the biz, check out actress and ex-mannequin Joy Bryant's essay on the Huffington Post. Here's a tidbit of her describing one casting call to get you hungry: "I finally get to the room, where the VERY famous designer is sitting at a long table with a few associates. I say hello, hand my portfolio over, and proceed to "walk" (please reference "Top Model"). I do so and then the VERY famous designer says to me, with a smile of course, "Joy, you are soooo beautiful, but I'm not using black girls this season." (Insert sound of record scratching here). Yeah, he actually said that to my 'beautiful' face. He's lucky he didn't get a black eye."
You have to wonder why this designer would bother to see a black model if he had no intention of using one in his show? Reuters also reports that Diane von Furstenberg, Tracy Reese and DKNY used a high number of black models this season. Worth noting.
-- Monica Corcoran
photo of Joy Bryant: WireImage
Sometimes U.K. stands for Unbelievable Knucklehead. A British reporter at the Daily Mail named Anne Shooter got the Sarah Palin makeover and decided to walk in the VP candidate's pumps for a day. She claims that the dated up-do -- which took an entire can of hairspray to secure -- and frameless glasses brought her newfound authority and a sexy sense of self.
Here's her take on playing politico: "So how hard is it to get her look, and can 'doing a Palin' make any woman feel powerful?
I tried it and the short answer is -- I felt very powerful indeed."
And then she concludes with: "Palin gets my vote."
Luckily, Shooter can't vote. But the sheer fact that she would pull the lever for a candidate because of her sensual-librarian look makes me want to huff hairspray and chew on bobby pins. This type of commentary transforms the glass ceiling into steel. Try breaking through that with your shellacked up-do.
--Monica Corcoran
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
The whole wide world is officially a red carpet. The
dress worn by Michelle Obama at last night's convention is no secret because publicists are alerting press to the designer: Thakoon. The aspiring first lady smartly opted to wear a sophisticated and fierce print -- red signifies strength and confidence -- with a retro lady-like cut. (The look on the right is from Thakoon's fall 2008 collection. Obama wore the Radzimir Kimono dress from the pre-spring 2009 collection.)
The Obama dress, as it will probably be forever known, also showed off her muscular build. (When Biden's wife Jill
stepped out, I thought, "Michelle could whup that woman in 5 seconds
flat.")  I like that Obama picked a designer like Thakoon
Panichgul -- pronounced Tie-koon -- who's an up and comer with a textured past. He moved from northern Thailand to Omaha with his family when he was 11. Also, he has been tapped to design for Target, so expect his collection to arrive there in December.
Want to own a Thakoon and campaign for yourself? Right now, this similar Thakoon floral "Inside-Out" dress on the right is available at eLuxury.com for $1,250.
Do you think Michelle Obama wore the right dress at the DNC? Do you think the focus on fashion in politics is utterly inane? (Then, go soak your head.)
photos: Getty Images; eLuxury.com
Over at Top of the Ticket, Andrew Malcolm notes that Hillary Clinton recently told a group of New York women: "Because during the campaign, I'm sure you've read, Barack would get up faithfully every morning and go to the gym. And I would get up, and get my hair done."
Is it likely that Clinton could have beat Obama if she had forgone coif time? Nah. Not to mention the fact that critics would have lambasted the senator if she ever appeared with a hair out of place. But it's worth musing on the stat that women spend about three years of their lives primping -- according to a study conducted last November by British beauty brand, Nephria. They also spend an average of an hour and 12 minutes to get ready for a big night out -- in my world, that includes about an hour of consuming wine and 12 minutes for hasty lipstick application and hair adjustments.
But seriously, three years of mirror time? In three years, I could write three novels, birth three children, gain and lose about 30 pounds, and have a lot more sex.
What would you do with your lost three years?
Photo: Getty Images
Adam Tschorn, guest blogger, pokes some improv fun at the uncannily synchronized looks of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton:
Did you see the powder blue tie Obama wore that perfectly matched Hillary's pantsuit?
How do you think THAT conversation went? Here's two aides talking: Obama aide: "Um, senator? We have Senator Clinton on line two. Something about your color story for tomorrow. (pause) No sir. COLOR, not cover. She is suggesting something in the blues but approachable."
Clinton lackey: "Senator Clinton? I have the junior senator from Illinois on the line. He objects to baby blue because he thinks it is a subtle jab at his relative inexperience."
Obama aide: "Senator Obama? Sir. You've just received a package here from the Tie Rack. It's a tie, sir. With a note. It says, 'I hoped for a tie, but thought you'd appreciate this one."
photo: Jim Young, Reuters
CONFESSION: I can't stop staring at Cindy McCain's chest. It's like a Fourth of July fireworks finale with all those sparkly patriotic pins on her lapel. They seem to be breeding like wild hares in her closet too. Every time she appears at a luncheon or a rally, there's yet another crystal-encrusted brooch.
Someone must have told her about the importance of flair. Political flair.
In the cult-hit 1999 movie "Office Space," Jennifer Aniston plays an apathetic waitress at a TGI Friday's-like eatery. Her suspenders are festooned with 15 pieces of promotional "flair" -- with goofy lines like "Who wants more peanut butter cheesecake?" or "Ask me about our extra, extra cheese option."
Still, her manager wants her to up her flair ante . . . to 37 pieces. "We want you to express yourself," he says, exasperated. "Flair is about fun." (So much so that an Office Space Box of Flair -- with 15 buttons -- was released last October and sells on
Amazon.com.)
Clearly, McCain lets her lapels do the talking. She gets her flair from Ann Hand, the go-to, Washington-based jeweler known for kitting out spouses of politicos (Karl Rove's wife Darby and Colin Powell's wife, Alma) and Capitol Hill players such as Madeleine Albright.
Her best seller is the "Liberty Eagle," which Hillary Rodham Clinton famously wore on her lapel in 1998,
when she defended her husband's indiscretions on the "Today" show. The $150 gold-plated pin depicts an ornery-looking eagle perched protectively on a pearl. Betty Ford, Barbara Bush and Tipper Gore have all worn the bird, which has come to be known as the "Hillary pin."
In 2000, Cindy McCain sported the "Liberty Eagle" when her husband won the New Hampshire Republican primary and pundits wondered why she chose an accessory associated with a feisty female Democrat. The eagle pin hasn't been spotted since.
Nowadays, McCain smartly alternates between her crystal "USMC" and "NAVY" pins -- both pay tribute to her two sons' chosen military branches. There's also her "Blue Star" pin, which is traditionally worn by kin of soldiers in active duty. She sometimes sneaks this one onto the collar of a turtleneck. Then there's her blinged-out rhinestone "McCAIN 2008" flair.
"Most people wear just one," Hand says of the $45 brooches McCain favors. "But it's a very personal decision."
Apparently, it can be a difficult one too. In March, on a visit to the White House, McCain sported three pins at once. Was she excessive or indecisive? Either way, her lapel was blinding, more Lil' Kim than First Lady.
As the campaign heats up this summer, expect to see more flair. Even Barack Obama is wearing his flag pin after the McCarthy-like media melee that ensued when he decided to stop wearing one last October. (Well, in all fairness, not everyone can wear stripes.)
On Hand's website, you can see which rhinestone campaign flair is selling better. Tuesday's tally had John McCain ahead with 611 pins sold versus 162 for Obama. Will Michelle Obama break down and trade in her signature string of pearls for some "Obama 2008" flair?
In "Office Space," Aniston quits abruptly over her lack of flair and says: "I do want to express myself and I don't need 37 pieces of flair to do it." She gives her manager the bird. Um, not the eagle.
photos: Getty Images; Twentieth Century Fox; Ann Hand collection.
 Page Six is reporting that Vogue's Andre Leon Talley (left) wants to "style" Michelle Obama. Hell no! This is a man who wears fur mukaluks and turbans -- which are awesome accessories for him -- and shouldn't be meddling in a potential First Lady's closet.
Talley, you may recall, dressed actress Jennifer Hudson in that ill-fitting, petulant bolero jacket for the Oscars. (Even she later admitted that she wished she hadn't followed his sartorial suggestions.) Aside from Talley's grandiosity, it would be a misstep to have Obama forfeit her signature style. Plus, it wouldn't behoove her to be lumped in with actresses who employ high-priced stylists to create their red carpet looks.
That's not to say that all former First Ladies cultivated their own style. Jackie Kennedy enlisted Oleg Cassini to create her iconic look. In his book, "A Thousand Days of Magic: Dressing Jacqueline Kennedy for the White House," Cassini wrote: "All I remember about those days are nerves, and Jackie on the phone 'Hurry, hurry, Oleg, I've got nothing to wear.' "
I would rather not think of Michelle Obama writing panicky texts to any stylists or designers about needing the "right shoe" or a "killer bag." Her style is impeccable and clearly, she doesn't need Talley's two cents.
AN HOUR LATER: A little more digging and I found out that Michelle Obama already works with a Chicago designer named Maria Pinto. You can check out her designs here and buy her looks at Saks stores and Barneys too. This month, she will open her first retail shop in Chicago. Can't help but wonder if Obama will branch out soon. No doubt, designers have already approached. It's a smart move on her part to work with a local designer that may dress Oprah, but is not part of the crazy red carpet machine. Pinto's clothes are accessible and not outrageously priced at all. Hope she sticks with this designer to maintain a consistent look, but dabbles in Armani and Behnaz Sarafpour too.
Photos: WireImage; Fitzroy Barret/Landov
  Once again, the Rage is drinking moonshine before 8:00 a.m. This time, it's the recap of the annual White House Correspondents Dinner, which drew luminaries like Heidi Montag, Lauren Conrad, Pam Anderson and Ashlee Simpson. In 1945, Frank Sinatra attended and performed. Oh, and never mind the fact that Montag's reptilian Svengali manager-beau demanded that he be her plus-one. Are the organizers so desperate that they would mete out tickets to appease lame reality stars? Wasn't Audrina Patridge available so they could tape a "Hills" episode with George Bush in a cameo? If nothing else, here's one fun fact: Donatella Versace, according to WWD.com, was looking for Madeleine Albright. She wants to dress her -- maybe in this short jumpsuit and swing jacket (right at Neimanmarcus.com)? "She's such a beautiful person," Versace reportedly said. "I love her."
Photos: I.Dreyvitser, WireImage.com
 Anna Wintour, unlike Karl Lagerfeld, has no love for Hillary Clinton. She says, in her latest editorial in Vogue:
"The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker of power is frankly dismaying. How has our country come to this? ... This is America, not Saudi Arabia."
Precisely, Anna. Right on. Just because you're chapped off that Clinton backed out on your recent Vogue cover, you go and make some silly, snitty statement that plays right into the right wing's criticism of our first female presidential candidate. Read more about it on Jezebel.com.
This type of girl-on-girl action is the very reason that we may never have a woman president. You go, Anna!
Photo credit: Getty Images
 First, local restaurants offered striking writers discounts on plates of pastas and filet mignons. Some--like La Cachette--even waived their valet fees. Now, the retail community has stepped up to the plate to entice strikers with deals. Undefeated (http://www.undftd.com/), the cool sneaker emporium, is currently giving WGA members a 15% discount. For those who have been picketing and pacing regularly, it may be about time for some new kicks.
Other shops offering a little retail therapy include: 
The Apple Store at the Grove - 15%
Billion Dollar Brows - 20% off brow shaping and 10% off retail items
Point De Vue Salon - 20%
The Shave - 20% off services and 10% off retail items
Ma Jolie - 25% off all non-jewelry items
Hand Made Galleries Boutique - 10%
Native Clothing Store- 15%
Two Tomatoes (home decor) - 10%
... for her sense of style. Or, actually, her calculated lack of style. In a great article about the relevance of a politician's panache in WWD, the cryptic designer for Chanel says:
 "My favorite is Ms. Clinton because you have no real idea what she is wearing. She is so clever and so brilliant that you see only her face — but also what she wears is right, you never really look at it because one is fascinated by her intelligence. But there is never a gimmick or bad detail either."
The article goes on to note how too much Botox or a $400 haircut can affect a stumper's image. I think there's much too much attention paid to Hillary's pocket squares and pantsuits. Will the hem of her pencil skirt affect her ability to reduce our debt? Would she be more focused on healthcare reform if she dabbled in lace?
We don't need our candidates or our future president-to-be tottering around on Lanvin platforms or sporting a Missoni tunic. Don't we have enough style role models with Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and Kate Moss? Let the celebrities play fashion plates and the politicians play foreign policy.
Photo credits: Lagerfeld, Vogue; Clinton, Hillary.org
 Q: "What is the standard for women for dressing for a black tie/evening attire event? I am going to an inauguration ball for my town's new mayor and I have no idea what type of dress to wear. I am a plus sized woman so nothing too slinky." -- T.C.
Dear T.C.
When it comes to political events, the rules are fairly simple: Go easy on the cleavage and don't try to upstage the First Lady. In this case, the mayor's wife. A "black-tie ball" calls for more than a chic cocktail dress. A few women will arrive in short dresses that fall just below their knees, but I would rather that you not be one of them. Instead, opt for a dress or gown that grazes the ankles. Even a hem that comes to mid-shin would work, but it's not the most complimentary cut, as it bisects  your legs.
Right now, metallic rules and it's a great shade for going dramatic without wearing a vivid color. It's also a hue that works for any age and flatters any complexion -- unlike green, yellow and a few other tricky colors. Lastly, metallic flatters any body size. (Laura Bush wore a silver sequined dress to the 2005 Commander in Chief ball. Hillary Clinton prefers gold, apparently.)
Here's my pick for you. This Tadashi copper metallic dress in plus sizes up to 3X ($495; saks.com) is ruched around the waist to flatter and the front pleat creates a lovely, long silhouette. I also like the sexy but sophisticated neckline and three-quarter sleeves -- sometimes, our upper arms can be our worst enemies. If you're not sold on this one, go to therosedress.com to see their extensive line of plus-size formal wear.
Be sure to get a simple clutch and a pair of high sexy sandals -- black would be great -- to complete any formal look.
If anyone else has an idea or resource for T.C., don't be shy.
Photo credits: Smithsonian.com; Clinton, amnh.com; Tadashi dress, Saks.com
 In today's WWD, an article takes a close look at the outcome of an aborted awards season. As you know, the writers are on strike and plan to picket outside the Golden Globes at the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel on Jan. 13. Organizers may smartly decide to eschew the red carpet and fanfare to convince actors -- leery of crossing the line -- to come out for the show.
(At left, Barbra Streisand at the Oscars in 1969, wearing Arnold Scaasi. Nice buns, Babs!)
If so, no red carpet means no fashion parade. In the WWD story, designers like Donna Karan and Stefano Gabbana are quoted on the economics of the red carpet. Yes, it befits them financially to have Scarlett Johansson or Gwyneth Paltrow sashay down the press line in one of their gowns.
But it is Roberto Cavalli's realistic take on the proceedings that I prefer. Cavalli says: "It's true that Oscars bring us a lot of work, but personally I've always taken it as pure fun. Without any doubt, getting stuff on the red carpet propels a brand in the realm of dreams. However, to be honest, it's the ego, the designer's own vanity that really gets flattered by being featured on the red carpet and that is not easy to quantify."
(Celine Dion didn't know if she was coming or going in this pant suit by John Galliano for Dior in 1999, right.)
Ah, Cavalli has nailed it. It is truly about ego. After all, women in Kansas -- or Oceanside, for that matter -- don't rush out to buy a Gucci frock just because Nicole Kidman wears Gucci to the Globes. They may buy an entry into the brand, like a pair of sunglasses or a wallet, but even that is iffy. (In all fairness, Cavalli dresses more of the Grammy crowd than the Oscar crowd, so he isn't exactly losing business if the award shows  must not go on.)
(Cher wore this Bob Mackie ostrich-feather headdress (which reportedly weighed 50 pounds) to the Oscars in 1986 to protest the dress code memo that went out to nominees and members.)
So much hype has been paid to the red carpet and who's wearing whom. Of course, the fixation with fashion for the show dates back to the days when Edith Head dressed the likes of Grace Kelly for the Academy Awards. But still, would it be such a bad thing to have the show focus on talent, rather than fashion taste? Very few actresses even dress themselves these days, so their red carpet get-ups are really more of a reflection of a stylist's choices or even an endorsement contract with a designer.
Then again, the ceremonies have become so long and boring and canned that the red carpet highlights stick in my mind as the most memorable moments.
Here's a novel idea: How about we hold the Globes and the Oscars on the red carpet? That way, the writers can come too.
Photo credits: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
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Ah, what a difference a wink makes. Sarah Palin -- as coquettish as a
16-year-old cheerleader -- winked twice during last week's vice presidential debate. The GOP gobbled it up, with grunts of "atta gal!" The Democrats, not in the mood to be wooed, saw her flirtation with the nation as another ploy to avoid talking turkey. 
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Men's fashion critic Adam Tschorn has been covering men’s wear since 2004 and wearing it much, much longer than that. He holds degrees in philosophy and journalism, which perfectly prepares him to watch fashion shows and ask: “Why?” He covers the runway shows in New York, Milan, Paris and Los Angeles.
Emili Vesilind is a staff writer for the Image section, covering retail, beauty, street style and the intersection of music and fashion.
Melissa Magsaysay is the Fashion Market editor and assistant style editor for Image. She covers trends in fashion and accessories and produces and styles the section's photo shoots.
Staff writer Erin Weinger covers shopping, fashion news and trends for the Image section.