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The Sarah Palin look is Halloween's must-have

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-26 10:31

As Americans prepare for this week's barrage of Halloween celebrations and parades, the Sarah Palin "look" is the hottest item for partygoers who want to make a political statement on the eve of the presidential elections.

Must-have look: Sarah Palin masks are proving a surprise hit this Hallowe'en. [Agencies]

Halloween costume stores across the country are reporting a run on wigs with her distinctive combination of beehive top and cascading locks and replicas of her designer spectacle frames.

The Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate has been mercilessly lampooned by late-night comics and criticised by her political foes after it emerged that her party had spent $150,000 on a new wardrobe of boutique outfits for her.

And after what has been dubbed "Saksgate" - in honour of the upmarket New York store where most of the clothes were bought - she is now facing a new wave of sartorial satire.

At Ricky's, a chain of fancy dress stores across New York, the best-selling Palin items are the wig at $49.99 and the glasses for $9.99 For those who want to go a stage further, there is also a Miss Alaska costume featuring star-and-spangled bikini for $22.99 or the "hottie" faux hunter outfit at $59.99.

Todd Kenig, CEO of Ricky's, said by late last week he had already sold more than 150 Palin wigs and more than 600 Palin sashes that said "Miss Alaska" on the front and "Miss Vice President" on the back. Business is expected to pick up in the next few days as October 31 approaches.

"It's all parody, I don't believe it's supporters. It's all people like Tina Fey types looking to knock her," he said, referring to the comic famous for her Palin impersonations on the Saturday Night Live show.

Palin outfits have also been selling particularly briskly in stores in New York and Los Angeles gay districts which are famous for their extravagant Halloween parties. "Given her views, I think it's fair to say that most people doing a Palin will be mocking her not admiring her," said Jerry Davis as he browsed Palin paraphernalia at a Ricky's outlet in downtown Manhattan.

In this intense political phase, Ricky's said masks of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama were selling well ahead of those of his Republican rival John McCain. For couples who want dress up as the two conservative stars of Mrs Palin and Joe the Plumber, there is also an option. The stores has recently added Joe The Plumber costumes - a jumpsuit, bald cap and plunger.