Oct. 26, 2008

Is The Word "Sale" In Your Repertoire?

Nancy Giles Is Equally Passionate About Clothes And Not Paying Too Much For Them

  •  (CBS)

(CBS)  A woman we know loves beautiful clothing. But she's equally passionate about not paying too much. Here's contributor Nancy Giles:

You've seen the headlines, you've heard the news reports: The Republican National Committee spent around $150,000 on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin (and her family) on her wardrobe and accessories.

Suddenly, the "hockey mom" sounds more like the "hockey team owner" mom.

Forget about the economic crisis that's hitting Wall Street, Main Street, and every street, avenue, and boulevard in-between. Put all that out of your mind.

Okay? Gone?

Now ask yourself: Who in heaven's name would EVER buy clothing RETAIL?

$150,000?

There is a joy, a thrill even, in the hunt of the deal. Is it primal? Is it part of our DNA? Who can say? Certain department stores are dedicated to this very palpable satisfaction.

Look, there are always sales to be found. I believe that to find, and purchase, an expensive item marked down to a crazy low price truly answers that oft-asked question: "What Would Jesus Do?"

Having said that, there are times when I violate my own rule out of desperation. I'm six-one and when I find things at the Tall Girls store that fit properly I hide them at the back of some rack, hoping no one finds them until the price comes down. It never works. So now: It fits? I'll buy, right then.

I resent those garments.

I have an emotional connection to my "sale" clothes. And when I wear them, I stand a little straighter, and walk is a little jauntier.

I'll never forget getting a brand-new pair of Hush Puppies for $1.99 at a store that was going out of business, and I just happened to be passing by. They were men's Hush Puppies, and only a half-size too big, and with thick socks I was good to go. A dollar ninety-nine!

Everyone wants to look good, whatever their income level. And you don't have to spend $150,000 of other people's money to do that.

I think the word "sale" is beautiful. "Retail" doesn't even sound as good. Sounds clinical, Latin for "one who shops, but is dumb."

© MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Share:
  • Share
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Mixx
Add a Comment See all 42 Comments
by lorriec37 October 28, 2008 6:18 PM EDT
I could not believe what I was hearing from Nancy Giles regarding Sarah Palin''s purchase of clothes for her campaign appearances. Why would CBS allow this segment by Nancy Giles anyway? I have always looked forward to the Sunday Morning program, but like others, will not be watching any longer! Is it your business to bring this to everyone''s attention once again? I love to shop, and hate the sale racks...they are always the "old, outdated, stuff" and if you really think about it $150,000 isn''t that much to dress for at least 60 days for Sarah and her family. The clothes will be donated to charity, and I am sure they will be able to auction them off at a greater price...so there! I am sure the merchants that the clothes were purchased from where happy...but not you Nancy! So long!
Reply to this comment
by yankeegirl81 October 28, 2008 5:29 PM EDT
I have always enjoyed Sunday Morning, however this past Sunday I turned the TV off right after Nancy Giles little tongue in cheek stab at Gov. Palin. Who does she think she is? How much does her wardrobe cost & where did she purchase it because you can dang well be sure it''s not the Goodwill or Salvation Army!! If the networks insist on digging up dirt on Gov. Palin, they need to do the same with Obama and or Biden. How much do their suits cost? I''ve heard from multiple resources that Obama has all of his suits custom tailored for him! Now why is that okay? This country is so worried about being racist and offending someone, however it''s okay to walk all over a female and drag her and her family thru the mud?! I think Americans need to wake up and take notice to the way all of the left wing liberal reporters spin web after web of deceit!!
Reply to this comment
by momwstyle October 28, 2008 2:39 PM EDT
Dear CBS,

I wanted to ring Nancy Giles neck after hearing her sarcastic comments on only buying sale items and Sarah Palins wardrobe expense. Retailers across America would love to ring her neck as well. What Nancy and many others don''t realize is that many big name retailers raise their prices higher, then put a sale sign on the goods to make the consumer think it is on sale. Small business cannot operate in the sale mode all the time. As Americans we need to start supporting the small business owner and retailer or small town America will be gone forever. I agree with others who have commented on this segment of Sunday Morning. I have seen far better stories and I was very disappointed in the program last week. On Sunday morning I always look forward to that feel good story that gives me hope that there really are good people, and goodness in our world. Forget the politics and Nancy Giles. You can do better than that.



Reply to this comment
by standish3 October 28, 2008 2:37 PM EDT
I too love my wardrobe sale items, especially in light of the recent financial turmoil.
Out of respect and in mourning for the Markets, I have been wearing more black than usual.
Today I am wearing a very chic black blouse ($120 reduced to an unbelievable $8 clearance from an Oak Park, IL boutique store which was closing) with black skinny trousers ($12 from Marshalls) and in honor of the risky buyers and a potential positive Market close today, open toe leopard shoes with a 2 inch heel($80 on sale for $39.99 purchased online).
I feel great and look phenomenal.
If you can look past the trees of political bias, you may see a forest of glorious sale opportunities to forage and enjoy.
Reply to this comment
by traci-tacoma October 28, 2008 4:36 AM EDT
Shame on you, Nancy Giles. I expected better from you. When you decide to survey ALL the male candidates on the cost of their clothing, then you have the right to comment on Ms. Palin''s. I am disgusted Democrat - disgusted with your commentary, and ALL the comments from WOMEN! Would that it was so simple for professional women to select a "standard" form of dress as men have established.
Try being a female in a male world - I faced this as clergy. I chose to wear a robe for people such as yourself who focus on the WRONG things.
Traci Lee, Tacoma WA
Reply to this comment
by pnevs56 October 28, 2008 12:01 AM EDT
LOVE Nancy Giles.....humor, common sense....we all need more of that. Going to NYC for the FIRST TIME with my family.....any thoughts on WHERE to SHOP?????Filene''s Basement? Thanks
Reply to this comment
by jerryh14 October 27, 2008 9:36 PM EDT
I have never written to any TV program before, BUT I just had to give you my comments. I love to watch you on Sunday mornings, knowing that all the political bias on all the networks will be forgone for good upbeat news segments. THEN to find Nancy Giles commenting on Palins clothing budget!! Does it never end with you guys!! What does Michele Obama spend? ... but, we will never know. I was so disappointed in Sunday Morning... But I did switch over to a good sermon broadcast on another station. Guess I will be changing my Sunday morning viewing habits... Too bad... I will miss you.
Reply to this comment
by cosenior October 27, 2008 8:32 PM EDT
I have watched CBS Sunday Morning since I was a little girl -- I am now a senior. I have always enjoyed the off-the-beaten path stories about people and places throughout our country. That all changed this past Sunday. Nancy Giles made CBS Sunday Morning political.
Reply to this comment
by carolanq October 27, 2008 7:06 PM EDT
I love Nancy Giles and can''t believe how many people need to get a life and a sense of humor! Jeeze... paying mega bucks for things is is not restricted to any one political party or setting. I seem to remember news stories about Clinton, Edwards hair cuts, $500 toilet seats, $1000 hamburgers, golden parachutes for CEO screw-ups... With the current world financial crisis the stigma of shopping at discount stores has been greatly reduced... Maybe ALL our political representatives would be more REAL to us if they were not wasting an unreal amount of $$$ for just about everything. You have to laugh... just to keep from crying! Thanks Nancy!
Reply to this comment
by tmacarthur1 October 27, 2008 4:41 PM EDT
NOW EVEN MY FAVORITE PROGRAM IS INFECTED WITH THE OBAMA VIRUS. CBS YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THIS POOR QUALITY STORY. SHOULDN''T YOU BE ABOVE THIS TYPE OF TV? I NOW WILL STOP WATCHING ON SUNDAY MORNING! tm
Reply to this comment
by jdudds1 October 27, 2008 4:22 PM EDT
For years my wife and I have looked forward Sunday mornings to watch "Sunday Morning" on CBS. It seemed to us the last bastion of decent informative programming without any bias one way or another. We learned about things from Sunday Morning that we would have never known from any other source. It is a wonderfully informative program with such feel good stories that one could never find on any other program. Why Nancy Giles felt she had to slam Governor Palin is beyond me. That kind of left wing media bias is why we no longer watch ABC, CBS, NBC CNN,MSNBC,etc.We get our news from the BBC, where journalism is still honestly and accurately practiced. It deeply saddens us that Ms. Giles has attempted to put "Sunday Morning" into the same class as the network liberal talking heads. We will probably continue to watch Sunday Morning, but will take the Nancy Giles space to go to the bathroom.
Reply to this comment
by jdudds1 October 27, 2008 4:21 PM EDT
For years my wife and I have looked forward Sunday mornings to watch "Sunday Morning" on CBS. It seemed to us the last bastion of decent informative programming without any bias one way or another. We learned about things from Sunday Morning that we would have never known from any other source. It is a wonderfully informative program with such feel good stories that one could never find on any other program. Why Nancy Giles felt she had to slam Governor Palin is beyond me. That kind of left wing media bias is why we no longer watch ABC, CBS, NBC CNN,MSNBC,etc.We get our news from the BBC, where journalism is still honestly and accurately practiced. It deeply saddens us that Ms. Giles has attempted to put "Sunday Morning" into the same class as the network liberal talking heads. We will probably continue to watch Sunday Morning, but will take the Nancy Giles space to go to the bathroom.
Reply to this comment
by jdudds1 October 27, 2008 4:20 PM EDT
For years my wife and I have looked forward Sunday mornings to watch "Sunday Morning" on CBS. It seemed to us the last bastion of decent informative programming without any bias one way or another. We learned about things from Sunday Morning that we would have never known from any other source. It is a wonderfully informative program with such feel good stories that one could never find on any other program. Why Nancy Giles felt she had to slam Governor Palin is beyond me. That kind of left wing media bias is why we no longer watch ABC, CBS, NBC CNN,MSNBC,etc.We get our news from the BBC, where journalism is still honestly and accurately practiced. It deeply saddens us that Ms. Giles has attempted to put "Sunday Morning" into the same class as the network liberal talking heads. We will probably continue to watch Sunday Morning, but will take the Nancy Giles space to go to the bathroom.
Reply to this comment
by lhwrites October 27, 2008 4:00 PM EDT
To CBSJUNK1:
I believe Sarah Palin''s net worth was just published and it was 1.7 million dollars. Sorry, but she actually is a millionaire.
Reply to this comment
by cbsjunk1 October 27, 2008 2:54 PM EDT
I also have to agree with dandygem, I used to love watching every Sunday, but will now make a better choice. Tell Nancy Giles she''s done a good job running off your viewers. And you should have had the good sense to keep her off the air. Goodbye, Sunday Morning!

I can''t believe she would make the comment....."What would Jesus do?" Is she a Christian? Does she profess Christ as her savior? Would Jesus approve of Giles using his name to criticize someone. That''s not the Jesus I know.
Reply to this comment
by cbsjunk1 October 27, 2008 2:48 PM EDT
It''s so sad to hear another CBS contributre NOT KNOW THE FACTS. If she knew the facts, she never would have reported on this. The FACTS are:

1. Gov. Palin loves to buy her clothing at an Anchorage THRIFT STORE.
2. The RNC bought the clothing, not Gov. Palin.
3. The RNC OWNS the clothing, not Gov. Palin.
4. The RNC will RETAIN posssession of the clothing.

In addition, the RNC will most likely sell all the clothing with the proceeds going to charities.

What will the other millionaire candidates do with their clothing? Palin is the ONLY candidate that is NOT a millionaire.

Now, if Giles did know these facts, yet reported on this subject anyways.....well, then we should be talking about Giles and her ethics.
Reply to this comment
by dandygem October 27, 2008 2:28 PM EDT
We enjoyed for many years each Sunday morning watching this informative program. It was THE LAST piece of news we EVER watched on CBS any longer. I was shocked as I listened to Nancy Giles make this piece a slam at Sarah Palin. Thanks for ruining my Sunday Morning program. We will no longer be watching this show. Apparently the last bastien of any real news stories have left the building! Hope it was worth it. Until you combine it with a piece on Obama or Biden or anyone else on the Demo ticket and their wardrobe, you have lost your credibiltiy.
Reply to this comment
by suitergal October 27, 2008 1:51 PM EDT
I have watched Sunday Morning for years and enjoyed it immensely. Nancy Giles has become the one part I cannot stand. She shows her prejudice and bias each time she speaks. Buying clothing on sale is not the issue. Everyone likes a bargain; however, she doesn''t say one word on the amount of money Obama is spending in this time of economic crisis. How can she possibly criticize the relatively small amount spent on Palin''s clothes when compared to the millions Obama is spending to spread his message of ''change''. This man, with no experience whatsoever, has brought America to his side with charisma, jokes and virtually no substance. How can he be president of our nation when he''s never had executive experience. Our nation has gone crazy....they worship movie ''stars'' and anyone who can talk a good talk. Heaven help us.
Reply to this comment
by bldg931 October 27, 2008 12:21 PM EDT
Seeing that others were as disappointed in Nancy''s Palin clothing comments is a relief; I thought I was the only sheet wearing, homophobic, militaristic capitalistic Republican still watching anything on CBS. I might mute Nancy in the future, but I''ll probably keep viewing that Angela Davis hairdo...
Reply to this comment
by seriouslync October 27, 2008 12:03 PM EDT
I must say that this piece on this show was very offensive to me on soooo many levels. I see that others have commented on how the piece was one-sided politically, if it wasn''t a political statement why no mention of Hollywood? What about the show "What Not To Wear" these arenas flaunt extravagant spending. And aren''t we suppose to share the wealth? Retail is the perfect example of everyone getting a piece of the pie. Further I felt this piece was more suited to SNL than to a serious (at least I thought) news magazine. The final straw, I must say, was asking What would Jesus do? Please. Final assessment: uncalled for, biased, offensive, disappointing. (p.s. I will fight for Nancy''s right to say these things as well as mine to offer rebuttal.)
Reply to this comment
See all 42 Comments
  • MOST POPULAR
Latest News
News in Pictures
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Connect with CBS News

Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: