The author as Sarah Palin with friends.
Whether you love Sarah Palin or love to hate her, one thing is certain: she is definitely adding some much needed glamour to the Republican Party! Those glossy lips, that frosted, tousled hair- mark my words, “The Sarah Palin” is going to be the quintessential costume for Halloween ’08. It’s cheap, it’s fun, sure to turn some heads and get people talking… or arguing.
For a recent appearance as Governor Palin, I gathered all the necessities for under $100. Here’s how you can, too:
The Perfect Palin ‘Do: Unless you already have that perfect Palin high-lighted honey-brown hair, you’ll need a wig. I found one at Hollywood Wigs for $35. Make sure it’s acrylic, no need to spend extra dough on real human hair. Find one that’s light brown, preferably with bangs. Most will have extra-long bangs already, but if not, ask the friendly salesperson to cut them for you. Trim just past your eyebrows, almost into your eyes. Use a banana clip or a ponytail holder and bobby pins for that signature Palin updo. Twist the hair up into the banana clip, or ponytail it and pin the “wisps” up and around the ponytail.
Sexy Librarian Glasses: According to ABC News, Palin’s rectangular glasses are flying off the shelves. But no need to throw down $375 for the titanium pair that Palin sports, any drugstore like CVS or Rite-Aid (where I found mine) will have a large array of reading glasses. I found a pair of rectangular red-framed glasses that worked just fine. Make sure you don’t get the high-powered magnifying glasses, or you’ll have a headache by the end of the night. If all they have is magnifiers, make sure you punch out the plastic lenses, especially if you are driving. Cost: $20
Sarah Palin (Jessica Chisum) and former Daily Show correspondent Lauren Weedman
Bronzer, bronzer, bronzer! Wear an orangey-tan base, heavy on the bronzer. Palin loves her blush, people. And Palin also likes a nice helping of dark-brown eyeliner, but only around the bottom of her eyes. I wore a pair of fake eyelashes as well that I found laying around.
What’s the real difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull? Glossy Mauve! The key to Palin-perfect makeup is the glossy mauve lipstick. This I picked up at at the drugstore as well. Can I give a shout-out to Wet’n’Wild? Don’t forget the glossy top-coat, which you will be re-applying all night long. If you are lucky, some of it might end up on the collar of that handsome Joe Biden impersonator sitting by the punchbowl. Cheap mauve lipstick: $1.00. Clear lip-gloss: $5.00.
The Palin Power Suit: You have several options for the no-nonsense Palin suit. I let my local thriftstore make the color decision for me. Look for a shoulder-padded blazer in red, black or gray. I found a black one in my size, and paired it with a red button-up shirt underneath for added pizzazz. While you’re there, you’ll find skirts of every color and length. Palin likes her skirts knee-length and sensible, but I found a black mini that added a little sassafras. Now just grab a pair of black heels from your closet, and you are the portrait of Palin. And no pantyhose ladies, Palin stays away from the nylons. Why? She’s got those moose-hunting Alaskan gams, she’s gonna show ‘em off. Blazer, skirt, optional undershirt: $20-$30.
Earrings: Palin loves the danglies. She’s got dangly little gold nugget Alaskas, dangly diamond flowers, dangly Athabaskan Porcupine quills (don’t ask) and pearls on a dangle. She’s also a fan of the big hoops, which I opted for on my Palin night.
The author holding Baby Trig.
Palin Props and Accessories: I decided to get crafty and make a few Palinesque accessories of my own. Palin often wears an American flag pin, so I simply printed a color picture of a tiny American flag and glued it to my lapel. I also made a “Gov. Sarah Palin” nametag to wear to help all of the partyfolk who are slow to catch on. Last but not least, I found a baby doll ($3.00) at a thriftstore that I wrapped in a yellow towel. That’s right, my little Baby Trig.
Learn from my mistakes: I chose a Russ brand “Troll” doll and seriously offended some bystanders.
If you have any Alaskan props on hand like rifles, animal pelts (I used a fuzzy rabbit pelt for a diaper), mooseburgers, canned salmon, a parka, muk-luks, mittens, snow boots, a hockey stick, or a stuffed polar bear on a noose, feel free to get creative!
Total cost of Sarah Palin Costume: $91.00
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Author Jessica Chisum is an Alaskan-born actress, now based in Los Angeles. You can watch her perform as Sarah Palin here.
All photos by David Markland, available under Creative Commons.
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There’s another interviewee on here who is planning on dressing as Palin’s pregnant daughter. If we can get a third to dress as a “bridge to nowhere,” we have a great concept for a group costume.
You are a riot!! I am thinking dressing as Sarah Palin for Halloween and I am just wondering if you could tell me exactly which wig you purchased and where?
Mrs. P!
I bought my wig in LA at Hollywood Wigs, 6626 Hollywood Blvd. The acrylic wigs are behind the counter on the bottom shelf. Grab the light brown one with blonde highlights.
Happy moose-hunting! JC
am totally going to be Palin for Halloween, but accessory wise… am going to get a stuffed polar bear (make it nice and bloody) and a nice big fat fake rifle.
Can’t wait :)
Palin is just such a totally perfect costume for a tranny hehe. Last year I created 2 costumes, a Mistress of the Dark and a Super Purple Punk T-Gurl, but this year I’m not just running for Vice President…I’m running for President of Vice…YIPPEE!
I will be Mrs Sarah Palin this year for halloween, i have the hair length, just need to find my power suit…..happy halloween, also, my husband found a mask of john mccain at walmart!! It will be a roit!
I found the rhinestone flag pin she wears plus a lot of other cool pins at mccainbling.com. That big flag will really add to my costume! :)
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. I now feel like I can pull this off…
And I have a stuffed Moose!
Katie B.
Issaquah, WA
YAY! I’m totally inspired. I’ve got the power suit and the glasses…never thought about the baby. Love the troll idea but understand how that could be in poor taste (and still funny :). i’m sure my daughter has a doll i could use. can’t wait for the party!!!
Hilarious! I am so glad I found this site! I had already decided on going as Sarah for Halloween, but your blog gave me some good ideas! I am also thinking of carting around a trash basket of ‘charred’ or ‘burnt’ books since she was accused of banning books from the libraries in Alaska. Anyway, pretty damn funny….love it! Jules
I like this idea a lot! I hope you don’t mind me using your name and photos and link on my blog entry about Palin costumes.
make fun of a down syndrome kid,, you must be a real wonderful human being.
I am going to be Sarah too…what a riot. Just thought I’d add…I found her rhinestone flag bling pins at http://www.Mccainbling.com. I figured , why not be authetic?!
You can also carry a hockey stick for the “hockey mom” and/or wear a “Miss Alaska” sash, even though she was first runner up.
I wish I could find a retarded doll to carry around. I even have a young, pregnant co-worker sidekick!
sarah palin needs armor for when she loses and everyone comes and kills her cause she sucks
I love Sarah! You had great ideas for looking like her. Sounds like many of your posters are just mocking her, but I don’t understand that. We don’t all need to share the same political views.
I carried a doll in a Bjorn and then also had a toy machine gun and some stuffed polar bears
Here’s some great tips to take with you while you are hunting in the thrift store for your Palin garb: <a href=” http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/668” title=”How to Dress Like Sarah Palin”.
I had to respond to the uninformed person who claimed that Palin was in support of banning books – just a ridiculous rumor. Come on – stick to the real stuff, don’t be caught being a petty gossip.
I love the idea of going as Palin, she has a great look and it would be fun. But I must say there are some downright mean spirited women – to think that a troll doll to represent her son is in any way funny.
True Alyse, Palin didn’t ban books, she only inquired about how to do so and after stiff opposition from the Wasilla town liberian dropped it.
Personally, I’m planning on going as Sexy Sarah Palin, in the true spirit of adult Halloween. I’ll probably have to spew ignorant lies and incite racist mobs, so people don’t think I’m dressed as Sexy Tina Fey.
Oh, and Spearol, you’re basically saying people shouldn’t voice their opinion contrary to yours, because everyone is entitled to their opinion. WTF? No wonder you LOVE Sarah (though I think you’re really being facetious).
I am so jazzed about dressing up as Sarah for Halloween! It’s going to be hillarious! I got a stuffed little rabbit I am going to decorate with my fake blood, some Palin-esque shoes at the thrift store, as well as a nice jacket and got my Palin power suit pressed. I’ve got my machine gun, beauty queen sash and flashing tiara! I’ve even outfitted one of my old baby dolls with a fitting ‘Little Monster’ T-shirt…and matching ghost cap. I just need to find a baby holder, a polar bear, and a hockey puck?! Where in the world can I find a used baby holder, so I can strap my little Trigger to me and not have to have to be holding so many things. Oh, and about Sarah and censorship, she did want her local library to ban several books, she did not agree with…and, as the other blogger said, she ended up giving up on this goal, as she encountered so much opposition. But, either way, Sarah is so easy to make fun of! You must admit? I snagged the last Sarah-esque wig, as well. I bet there are going to be lots of Sarah costumes this Halloween! Wish my boyfriend wanted to dress up..he could go as McCain! Oh, anybody know where I can get a free Palin or Palin/McCain pin? I hate to have to give any money to the Palin/McCain campaign! Have fun everyone!
Hugs, Jules
I am going to dress as Palin for a Circus & Side Show themed Halloween party this weekend. She is a clown and the biggest sideshow act to date…
I was thinking of going as Sarah Palin for Halloween as well… I think she’s awesome, and just the breath of fresh air our country needs. (And I know I’m going to get laughed at for that.) Anyhow, I’ve got the dress, and the hair, and I don’t think the glasses will be a problem, but can anyone offer ideas for good shoes?
Doesn’t wear pantyhose? There is an Amazon.com ad for a cardboard cutout right on this page where Palin is wearing pantyhose!
She wears them sometimes, and sometimes not.
Palin DID inquire about banning books, dope.
Here is just one report from Time Magazine:
“Stein says that as mayor, Palin continued to inject religious beliefs into her policy at times. “She asked the library how she could go about banning books,” he says, because some voters thought they had inappropriate language in them. “The librarian was aghast.” That woman, Mary Ellen Baker, couldn’t be reached for comment, but news reports from the time show that Palin had threatened to fire Baker for not giving “full support” to the mayor. ”
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837918,00.html
I just noticed some of you were being very nasty and mean about a child he has nothing to do with this election and he is a very beautiful baby that shows how stupid some people are in this world, and the ones making fun of a baby on this website is VERY STUPID!!! And the ones that don’t like Sarah Palin or John Mccain why are you trying to dress like them? Just go get a CURIOUS GEORGE costume and go as Obama have you seen the resemblence?
I will personally be carrying around a fake rifle, screaming “Moose!” at any given chance. Also, whenever someone opens their door, I plan on saying, “Hi, can I call ya Joe?”, or “Got some candy for a fellow Maverick?”.
She does wear pantyhose:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FVD17W?tag=cr01-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B001FVD17W&adid=1CV4WXJV1XTEVDKHCEN0&
you guys are really funny, i feel bad for palin. Why did she let them convince her that she was ready to be vice president of this county. John Mccain really screwed this woman’s life up. I know she wondering why she accepted his nomination.
What a great idea… and done in a nice way. I think she must have sense of humor to go on SNL. AFteralll they aren’t exactly rep fans! I have friend on ehow that wrote a similar how to. AT least it isn’t like th guys in LA that have a noose or flaming McCain. People need to get a life and vote issues and stop worryng about some of the stuff thrown out to confuse. In just a week we may have a few businesses being killed and changes people aren’t prepared for…after all the tax issues are not set in stone as Biden has pointed out.
If you are in Milwaukee on Halloween Night there is a Sarah Palin Lookalike Contest.
Check my piece Halloween and Palin, Lookalike Contest, Milwaukee, October 31st on ‘Serge the Concierge’.
Serge
‘The French Guy from New Jersey’
Umm i look exactly like her and im less than half her age minus the wrinkles im deffs goin as her
Thought you might be interested in this contest called Palloween – fun play on Sarah Palin and Halloween! — koollage.com/koolcontests
Lori, you’re an idiot. At least baby Trig can say that he was born with special needs. What’s your excuse?? Sorry to be mean, but jeez… we’re in the 21st century, and you’re still using the “r” word?
Just thought that I would add one more thing…
While the Power suit is an absolute must, I will be wearing a t-shirt, on which(in Sharpie) I wrote “Let’s get Mavericky” under the jacket. Oh, and I truly do feel sorry for those of you who still support McCain, seeing as he has almost NO chance of winning.
Oh sarah is an style icon.Its not possible to meet sarah for me. but i will make my girl friends costume just like her, so that i can see sarah in my girl friend. Thank you.
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Well, once again this year (2010), Sarah Palin has made her way into the headlines making this blog entry still very relevant.