On Hooker Boots

C made a comment on my last Sarah Palin post (of many) about her BF complaining about S.P.'s "hooker boots." In this particular case, I think that's the appropriate term for Miss Veep's footwear of choice—and not because her knee-high boots are sluttier than most. Someone is obviously being paid to style this woman, and that person should be well aware of the societal perceptions of certain pieces of clothing, hairstyles, accessories, etc.—hell, that's why Palin's glasses work for her. They give her the sexy librarian vibe that she's clearly aiming for and couldn't achieve with contacts. By opting to dress a candidate for vice president in shoes dubbed "hooker boots," you are essentially playing into those constructions and insisting that the public view her through that lens: Sarah Palin is sexual! Like a prostitute! I mean, the only other nickname for these kicks is "fuck me boots," which hardly sends a different message. She's not just a woman—a point driven home by the fact that she's usually in a skirt instead of Hillary-esque pantsuits—but one that we're supposed to respond to with testosterone, not thought.