Palin's Consignment Shop's Owner Speaks

Says Veep Nominee's Taste In Clothes Has Stayed Same On Campaign Trail As It Was Before She Was Named To GOP Ticket

(CBS)  Sarah Palin says she doesn't wear the clothes anymore that have been in focus since it was revealed the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 to outfit her and her family with designer items from posh stores.

Addressing the controversy on the campaign trail in Florida Sunday, Palin told a crowd she's "back to wearing my own clothes from my favorite consignment shop in Anchorage, Alaska."

That shop is called "Out of the Closet" and its owner, Ellen Arvold, told Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen Monday that Palin's been wearing similar outfits on the stump to what she buys at the shop.

Palin "started shopping here while she was running for governor, so it's been about three years," Arvold said.

"She shops for herself mostly," Arvold continued, "but she often brings her daughters with her, and they will pick out some things for themselves. She likes jackets. She buys kind of classic, feminine, fitted jackets. She likes leather jackets. Her girls have bought jeans here and also some jackets and knit tops."

Prices in "Out of the Closet" vary widely, Arvold said, "from a knit top for $16 to a handbag for $800, but our prices are generally very reasonable. I would say a normal price for a jacket would be between $40 and $100."

Arvold wouldn't say how much Palin typically spends at the shop "because she's a client, and I value her privacy. But I think she could probably come in and buy our whole store three-times-over for $150,000!"

Asked if the clothes she sells look much different from what we've been seeing Palin wear on the campaign trail, Arvold replied, "I don't really think her style has changed too much. She still wears beautiful suits, tailored jackets that are feminine, but still classic. I've seen her wear, you know, her typical high heels and boots. So, no, I don't think her style has changed too much. I have only seen a few pieces that she's bought here on the campaign trail, but, no, I think she looks great."

If you missed 60 Minutes last night you should listen to the program on CBS%u2019s Internet site. You will find out who is the blame for the mess we are in. The first story is all about who and what caused the housing meltdown. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4546649n

[repforbarack]

Obama reminds us of what''s good about America!


YES WE CAN...AND WE WILL!

[meboard]

Okay folks, I think we know what Mis Palin is in to...owner, Ellen Arvold of "Out of the Closet" says Palin "likes leather". So now we know...she''s a lesbian ***! Enough said, I''m voting for Obama.

[indianaman13]

Just the fact the GOP would spend 150,000 on clothes tells me these people have no idea how the rest of America lives. Notice how they quickly said 1/3 have been returned but only AFTER the purchases were made public. In typical republican fashion the do what they want with no regards and if caught, they create a spin story, backpedal, and change the subject. Notice they don''t try to CHANGE, just cover up their wrong doing.

[luvienne]

Palin is not a good choice for vp. Her and the dude attended meetings to secede from the USA. HOW PATRIOTIC.

[prohb]

I have been posting this idea over and over!!! Palin and the repubs should take me up on it. In a public ceremony, Palin and Joe The Plummer should meet. She should then donate her clothes to him so he can sell them...then he can pay his back taxes, get his licence, and buy that plumming business he wants! Am I brilliant or what! I mean the American publuc would see that Palin and McCain care about the average Joe. Their polls would go up immediately. I have more ideas like this. The Repubs should hire me on as a campaign advisor. I could use the extra cash right now. Come on - Spread The Wealth a little!

[xtineinla]

It seems it took a little more than lipstick to bring Mrs. Palin from a dog to a well-dressed hockeymom. Now that the nice clothes are gone, she''s back to pitbull again...hmmm...

[newslink]

How much was this woman paid, out of the GOP money? All of a sudden, here''s this woman defending Palin. Americans are not stupid Palin. Even if your Husband and the Indpendence Party thinks so.

[bonniefromde]

Amazing, how much did CBS pay to do this smear on Palin? How much do your wardrobes cost? How much more wiil we pay your advertisers have to pay for such nonsense.Why don''t you give it up, you have nothing to pin on Sarah Palin more than this?Why not go after the terrorist Ayers, the ACORN backing from Obama, the voter fraud that is going to get him in office, Barney Franks, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi? How much have Obama and Biden spent on their families wardrobes for this campaign? How much does Nancy Pelosi spend on her wardrobe as she stabs Americans in the back?I am so ashamed to be a member of the Democratic Party. I will no longer watch your show.
Shame on you.You have gone to the dirty dogs along with the rest of the media buyout that Obama got.
Sarah Palin has more executive experience than any of the other three candidates. Who wants ANYONE from that do nothing Congress that has this country in the shape it''s in? Not I. I will vote for Sarah Palin. And, being from Delaware, as a constituent, I wrote to Joe Biden on March 31st and have yet to hear from him. That''s not the first time in the last 3 years I have written to him and gotten no reply. Really looks out for his people. Guess it''s Joe Scranton. May God help this country because it''s rapidly going down the tubes. George Bush kept us safe from another attack, and Biden is egging it on within 6 months? Unbelievable how blind some of us are.

[olderthnadam]

I want to thank AFactJack and all the facist, racist, hatemongers and fearmongers like him. They have done more in the last six months to convince independents to vote for Obama than Obama himself has. "My Friend" McCarthyism died in the fifties and most of it''s followers are now dead. Communism is a dead horse and nobodies turning to it. Fascism like you and yours promote is the -ism that we have to fear the most in this day and age.

[standlee5]

The Democrats won''t be happy until Sarah Palin is wearing a gunnie sack. Only Democrat women are allowed to dress nicely, Oprah says so.

[a100mike]

The consignment shop is probably a good place to buy a Republican cloth coat.

[tscc2]

Elizabeth Hasselbeck said the criticism over Palin''s spending habits was sexist. Believe me if Obama spent $150,000 on dresses and skirts we would all be talking about it.

[concerns47]

No Obama spent $140,000 on Greek columns for his speech, but his wife now that is another story. They are so rich they don''t have to go to a thrift shop.

[concerns47]

Vote for Obama, be careful what you wish for, all Dems in Congress and the Presidency is scary.

[equalityrpt]

Thank you KHOU 11 HOUSTON NEWS for this journalism,,,
finally some balance....and I totally agree...Sarah
Palin is the only candidate who is not a millionare and like the rest of us shops at places like this...
Michelle Obama made $316,962 as a VP for External Affairs at the University of Chicago not-for-profit Hospital...along with 16 other VP''s...about 5 million in executive salaries...I can see why it was not-for-profit!! Perhaps that is why her healthcare has skyrocketed...excessive executive salaries...
But anyway at %316,962 I wouldnt think Consignment shopping would be necessary!!

[meboard]

concerns47: So you''re saying is was WRONG to elect g.w. bush and a Repub house and senate?

[neotk]

This is what you''re focusing on? Where is the coverage on the Marxist saying this? "The Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth and sort of more basic issues of political and economic justice in this society. And to that extent as radical as people tried to characterize the Warren court, it wasn%u2019t that radical. It didn%u2019t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, at least as it%u2019s been interpreted, and the Warren court interpreted it in the same way that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. It says what the states can%u2019t do to you, it says what the federal government can%u2019t do to you, but it doesn%u2019t say what the federal government or the state government must do on your behalf. And that hasn%u2019t shifted."

Funny how this was ignored this morning by all of the MSM. Is it going to be reported or are CBS'' spin doctors still working on it with the NObama campaign?

[nodogs27]

I"m shocked you think Palin''s wardrobe budget is even note worthy. I''m not voting for her but think there are better things to report on. What about political issues? Shame on you for stooping so low.

[equalityrpt]

I typed too fast! At Michelle Obama''s $316,962 salary at the not-for-profit Hospital..I would think Consignment shopping would NOT be necessary!!!

[joan_b_92307]

I am sick and tired of the news falling for every stupid insignificant item about sarah palin , get off her back and look in your own closet! also you women just love to back bite your own kind - men love it!! what fools!

[lauraine2s]

From the start of this election it was quite obvious who you were promoting. But you just go a little to far with your constant attack on Palin. I have not yet decided who I will vote for but the cloths on ones back does not even come into play. What is wrong with all of you if it were a man spending this kind of money you would have no comment at all but because it is a woman you have to smear her all over. And who do you think you are asking the thrift store how much she spends on clothes. How much do you Harry or Julie or Maggie spend on your clothes. How dare you. Why not stick to what really matters this country and getting it out of the mess we are in and it didn''t just happen. It is the same problem we have always had no one is watching the cookie jar and the big wigs take it all and the little guys suffer and pay and pay. So why not stop attacking the clothes and deal with what is really important.

[standlee5]

vicious,sexist, air america women have made it their mission to destroy this woman and they''ve contracted Campbell Brown CNN to help them. She looks better in a two bit rag then any of those women and she stands for more and articulates reality. Oprah says liberal women are the fashionistas and that''s all there is to it.

[joan_b_92307]

There must not be enough news to discuss, to talk about what sarah palin spends on clothes. what foolishness is this? You women to jump on another to make yourself look good. Dont you backbiters know men love it? and its not about clothes, its jealousy, what idiots!!

[briannorwood]

Newser) %u2013 While no more Saks and Barney''s charges have surfaced, records for the first 2 weeks of October indicate that Sarah Palin''s makeup artist was the highest paid individual contributor to the McCain campaign effort, pulling in $23,000. Amy Strozzi easily beat out McCain''s foreign policy adviser (just $12,500) and senior communications staffer ($12,000), reports the New York Times.

[prohb]

I have been posting this idea over and over!!! Palin and the repubs should take me up on it. In a public ceremony, Palin and Joe The Plummer should meet. She should then donate her clothes to him so he can sell them...then he can pay his back taxes, get his licence, and buy that plumming business he wants! Am I brilliant or what?? I mean the American publuc would see that Palin and McCain care about the average Joe. Their polls would go up immediately. I have more ideas like this. The Repubs should hire me on as a campaign advisor. I could use the extra cash right now. Come on - Spread The Wealth a little!

[escholastica]

I have never blogged, written a national news org., etc. So this is hello and goodbye. I don''t know where to start--reporting has sunk to such an all time biased--talk about "out of the closet" low. It''s not just the unfairness; your uncharitable, mocking, sarcastic tone towards all things conservative or republican is embarassing--for you!
It''s unprofessional and immature. The patronizing parting shot towards the con. store owner said a lot.
"Thanks for being a good sport". A pawn in your campaign to unashamedly destroy and pettily disparage. Go back and listen to yourselves--SERIOUSLY! Heaven knows I''ll no longer be.

[joan_b_92307]

mocking is not very becomeing of you women in the news! who cares what people pay for clothing its none of your business. what fools! yes you!!!

[dragonfly125]

The media continues tarnish its already poor reputation in this campaign. In fact some claim we have lost our media , the bias is despicable and smacks of state controlled press that we have read about in other places and now are actually experiencing. Please for the sake of our country, your life, and that of your
children and grandchildren stop the McCain/Palin bashing and vote McCain/Palin if you love America.

[gertieb-2009]

If it''s a non story, why is the McCain camp giving back some of the $150K worth of clothes and why has Palin stopped wearing them on the trail?

It''s laughable that the right wingers would take umbrage at the Palin shopping spree story considering all their previous jokes and snide remarks about Obama''s greek columns, Joe''s hairplugs and various other insignificant details they could find out about the Dems. To all the Palin apologists out there, I wouldn''t claim the high road on this one.

[olderthnadam]

In defense of Sarah Palin''s claim to be close to Joe Six-Pack, Joe Six-Packs are often attracted to overpriced, high maintenence, bimbos. That''s how they became Joe Six-Pack in the first place, coming home from work and drinking a six pack every night trying to drown their sorrows over working their ### off at a dead end job trying to pay off the credit card debt ran up to support his wife''s extravigant lifestyle and his own obsession with whoever has the most toys wins. Women who wear designer clothes and men who drive Hummers go hand in hand and when they get together they buy a house that''s twice what they can afford at an interest rate they won''t be able to afford tomorrow sold to them and financed by someone who has no stake in the sale once it is made. And so goes the economy.

[aquanaught]

It is entirely irrelevant what Palin bought with her own money: the point is that as soon as she had someone else''s credit card, she went bonkers. And this reflects something of a pattern for her that she established in a short amount of time, charging the taxpayer for living in her own home, for junkets for the kids, and so on. Saying "Oh, it''s so unfair, she used to drive a 10 year old Ford" is not a rebuttal of any sort for why she went out and got a $2 million dollar crystal pumpkin to carry her to the ball as soon as the handsome (well, loathsome, in this instance) prince''s advisers let her indulge her sense of what is befitting the Princess of All the Base. Hopefully, it''s just about midnight for Sarah Palin.

[aquanaught]

It is entirely irrelevant what Palin bought with her own money: the point is that as soon as she had someone else''s credit card, she went bonkers. And this reflects something of a pattern for her that she established in a short amount of time, charging the taxpayer for living in her own home, for junkets for the kids, and so on. Saying "Oh, it''s so unfair, she used to drive a 10 year old Ford" is not a rebuttal of any sort for why she went out and got a $2 million dollar crystal pumpkin to carry her to the ball as soon as the handsome (well, loathsome, in this instance) prince''s advisers let her indulge her sense of what is befitting the Princess of All the Base. Hopefully, it''s just about midnight for Sarah Palin. To summarize: it''s not about what she wears, but about the fact that she has no sense of division between the public role and her own wants, and instead of learning when her hand is slapped, just lies like a child.

[olderthnadam]

Well put aquanaught. Do we really want to hand the American peoples credit card over to someone like this. I think not. One action is worth a thousand words.

[concerns47]

Yes, voting to many of one party with whomever is president is wrong, we desperately need a 3rd party, maybe a 4th but ones with creditability. Sick of just 2 parties and some obscure parties. Congress needs more Independent parties that don''t always take sides with either of the regular parties.

[aquanaught]

It is entirely irrelevant what Palin bought with her own money: the point is that as soon as she had someone else''s credit card, she went bonkers. And this reflects something of a pattern for her that she established in a short amount of time, charging the taxpayer for living in her own home, for junkets for the kids, and so on. Saying "Oh, it''s so unfair, she used to drive a 10 year old Ford" is not a rebuttal of any sort for why she went out and got a $2 million dollar crystal pumpkin to carry her to the ball as soon as the handsome (well, loathsome, in this instance) prince''s advisers let her indulge her sense of what is befitting the Princess of All the Base. Hopefully, it''s just about midnight for Sarah Palin. To summarize: it''s not about what she wears, but about the fact that she has no sense of division between the public role and her own wants, and instead of learning when her hand is slapped, just lies like a child.

This continuing to spend time reporting on what Palin wears is B.S. what next big story are you working on Palin''s choice of feminine products that is what my 10 year old asked me this am after watching your story. She was being sarcastic by the way just thought I would tell you that before you send a crew to an Alaska supermarket for that breaking news story. What are the others spending on cloths and where do they shop. The hard hitting journalism of your show is amazing (HA HA). This just in CBS has sacrificed its integrity news at 11.

[libra127]

who cares what people pay for clothing its none of your business.

Posted by joan_b_92307 at 11:10 AM : Oct 27, 2008

It is our business when it''s paid for with campaign funds!

This continuing to spend time reporting on what Palin wears is garbage, what next big story are you working on Palin''s choice of feminine products that is what my 10 year old asked me this am after watching your story. She was being sarcastic by the way just thought I would tell you that before you send a crew to an Alaska supermarket for that breaking news story. What are the others spending on cloths and where do they shop. The hard hitting journalism of your show is amazing (HA HA). This just in CBS has sacrificed its integrity news at 11.

[aquanaught]

It is entirely irrelevant what Palin bought with her own money: the point is that as soon as she had someone else''s credit card, she went bonkers. And this reflects something of a pattern for her that she established in a short amount of time, charging the taxpayer for living in her own home, for junkets for the kids, and so on. Saying "Oh, it''s so unfair, she used to drive a 10 year old Ford" is not a rebuttal of any sort for why she went out and got a $2 million dollar crystal pumpkin to carry her to the ball as soon as the handsome (well, loathsome, in this instance) prince''s advisers let her indulge her sense of what is befitting the Princess of All the Base. Hopefully, it''s just about midnight for Sarah Palin. To summarize: it''s not about what she wears, but about the fact that she has no sense of division between the public role and her own wants, and instead of learning when her hand is slapped, just lies like a child.

[somali42]

I don''t care if Palin wears sack cloth. I do care that campaign contributions paid for her and her family''s clothing. She hasn''t uttered a word of any substance and I guess the only thing to repoart about her is her outfits. One may suggest she take some diction lessons and get rid of that nasal, adolescent voice so her meaningless attack speeches, again, containing nothing of substance, won''t be quite so shrill and annoying. Let''s see..... There are excellent, bright women leaders who manage school districts, businesses and corporations that make Palin''s "experience" a complete joke and makes the US look like fools internationally. I bet our enemies hope she and McCain win. CBS-for God''s sake, report on something of consequence. You insult anyone whose IQ is larger than their shoe size by taking prime time for an asinine story like this.

[aquanaught]

It is entirely irrelevant what Palin bought with her own money: the point is that as soon as she had someone else''s credit card, she went bonkers. And this reflects something of a pattern for her that she established in a short amount of time, charging the taxpayer for living in her own home, for junkets for the kids, and so on. Saying "Oh, it''s so unfair, she used to drive a 10 year old Ford" is not a rebuttal of any sort for why she went out and got a $2 million dollar crystal pumpkin to carry her to the ball as soon as the handsome (well, loathsome, in this instance) prince''s advisers let her indulge her sense of what is befitting the Princess of All the Base. Hopefully, it''s just about midnight for Sarah Palin. To summarize: it''s not about what she wears, but about the fact that she has no sense of division between the public role and her own wants, and instead of learning when her hand is slapped, just lies like a child.

[mojoceli]

Get the Facts B&Gs - The Campaign bought the clothes Not her. And whats the friggin Differnce anyhow. The Speaker of the house just spent close to 1 trillion dollars of our money and wants more to bale her out of a bad situation. Do we really care about $150,000. She is running for the VP of the United States of America. Oh I forgot, People like you don''t respect that office or anything traditional anymore. Your just worried about, What can the Government give me and let us be less guilty by giving everything we didn''t earn to the Underpriviledged. Ridiculous.

[daveminer-2009]

Palin is a total fraud. Six-Pack my a s s. She has her own plane.

[dnsallday]

Why doesn''t anyone want to know how much Obama has spent on clothes

Posted by Darkangel
**********************************************************
Because he spent his own money to dress himself and his family. He didn''t take it out of campaign funds that were donated by the public.

There are laws about how campaign funds can be used. They are not supposed to be used for personal enhancements, like a $2,000 pair of patten leather knee high boots.

[junglejimy12]

Palin didnt go "bonkers with someone elses credit card " as one idiot on here has said. The RTNC bought her the clothes to help her out since they have thrown her out in the spotlight so much. . Wake up...there are so many more important issues than Palins clothes or hair. Most of you had no respect for Hillary - how bout showing a little to Palin !!! Look into Obamas finances if you want a real shocker - 200 million from the Middle East !!!

[willyjay3461]

Why doesn''t CBS ask the question of the DNC and Barrack Hussein Obama what it spent on his clothes, his wife''s clothes and the cost of his large private charter jet to Hawaii for one day to visit his ailing grandmother? I will bet you do not have the integrity, guts or willingness to do so and print it on top of that....The American Press is not legitimate any longer since it has gone to left side of the equasion of government....

[junglejimy12]

to Dave Minor- uh Palin gave the plane back and she flies commerical because it is cheaper...She is the only Governor that actually gave money back to the people when she confronted the oil companies....Wake up dude and do some research before you open your ignoranrt mouth

[wiloni]

The interview was childish...so is the argument that has developed here. Real Newpersons do not go around asking what men paid for their suits or even what country they were made in. This was just another cheap shot, as was the Katie Couric interview.

[junglejimy12]

You should be more concerned with your liberal Nancy Pelosi -who took impeachment of Bush off the table and now she has inserted a bunch of goodies in this financial bail out package that benefits her personally and her husbands business interests in Samoa. Look it up...its FACT !!!