The Case Against The French Braid (SLIDESHOW)

At Thursday night's debate, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin departed from her maverick political style (brightly colored pumps, pricey Valentino jackets, and the alleged use of a tanning bed and tattooed lipliner) and wore an understated, somber black suit. But the governor still managed to weave in some personal pizzazz with a folksy half french braid. Now, the french braid isn't -- and wasn't -- always a crime against fashion. When done right, the french braid can be spectacularly pretty. For example:

But for every good french braid, there are about 3,217 bad ones (scientific fact). Below is a brief history of the latter.

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Comments

[blueskybigstar]

Palin's braid looks like their is some kind of electrical equipment in it, perhaps connected through her glasses to her ears.

[lhca]

Normally I enjoy the articles on the Huffington Post, but this was vapid and shallow and will probably do nothing but get "the liberals" a bad rep. I agree that Sarah Palin is unqualified to be VP (or president, for that matter), but attacking her hair? Grow up.

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[RedStateCenterLeft]

Face it, the mop needs work. The bangs are silly. The braiding looked like one of her kids helped her. I learned from my days in TV that no matter how substantive you try to pose yourself, people still look at the cosmetic—hair, makeup, clothing.

The party should hire some decent stylists to help her. Admittedly, the best won't help a Republican who hates gays and self-loathes women, so it will be a stretch, but somebody could help her.

[lisakaz2]

Maybe so, but the braid was better than that stooopid pageant bun she usually has.

[BlueStarMom]

I really, really dislike Palin on ideological and political grounds, but I think she always looks very nice and her hair looks beautiful.

My disappointment is that her outward appearance does not seem to be a reflection of her heart and mind.

[LAcarlito]

What heart? This woman is the Ice Queen.

As to her mind, I imagine it was pretty well burnt out during those days of jumping between 5 colleges in 6 years. When is she ever going to explain what she was doing during that time? No transcripts, no history, no explanation. Interesting...

[shutdown]

I don't like her hair at all. It is too long and TOO MUCH!!!!! I think it would look far cuter if it were shoulder length swept to the side like many women her age. Whenever I see her, I think she is on her way to a Prom, and I am searching for the corsage.

Can you imagine the time and expense that goes into her Do on a daily basis???? Boy, do I wish her hair-dresser would write a tell all book of what she has heard!

Just think, Sarah, of the time you could devote to having more photo ops holding the baby if you went to a simpler style!!!!

[feliznavidad]

Just thought I' let you know that a Brit website sent a reporter out to get a do like Sarah, and it took a hairdresser over an hour to put it together. She sure spends a lot of quality time with her kids, eh? Maybe their only chance to talk to her is to put in the braid!

[TheSecularist]

Did you get you photos mixed up? All those French braids looked great except for Palin's and the cult women. And those two models/actresses that you say looked pretty have braids that look botched.. Do you even know what a French braid is supposed look like?

[blissiseasy123]

Great photo of FLDS polygamous women in French braids.

I've been comparing Palin to the polygamists all along because of her pregnant teenage daughter, downs syndrome baby, etc.

What a hoot!

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[MoeJava]

I thought the same... only difference between Sarah Palin and the FLDS Women is that she can be governor (during business hours only) and then speed home and be subserviant.
Heck, she might even be one of those "full quiver" folks who are populating the christian armies in their never-ending battle against freedom of thought and freedom from worship. Or getting ready for the Rapture. There's lots of work to be done.

I worked with an LDS man who had plural wives... he just made sure each had a trade, a way to earn money; I worked with him for about 6 months and soon he "retired" and had all his honeys
supporting him. One was an attorney, one was a doctor (pediatrician) and one was an accountant.

Yes Yes Yes- Sarah Palin wants to sink us all in the 15th century. Start sewing those holly hobbie dresses now, girls! And please dont forget the french braids - and remember - stay sweet!

[zona9]

Really scraping the bottom of the Palin hating barrell, Huffpo. And, her hair looked gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

[ihynes]

after 8 years of eating Republican crow, we can't have a little fun? shut up

[Rotwang]

The Star Trek "yeoman" look was already creepy back in '64. I think America deserves to ask why she has consciously chosen to present the image she does. I would demand the same answers if Joe Biden wore a pomp and ducktail, or mutton-chop sideburns.

You are, however, correct in the sense that the hair issue is less important than the fact that she slouches when she walks, has distracting hand-gestures and talks like a Klondike fur trapper.

Let's stay focused.

[feliznavidad]

Sarah's hair gorgeous? Do you live in 1955? Evidently Palin does! Or should I say Palin-olithic. . .

[Bulbul]

What is the point here, she has a good head of hair, I find myself to be impressed with the intellegent balding man over Palin`s empty nonsensial chatter.

[framante]

At first I consciously avoided reading this article as so much trivia when there are serious things to know about. But then I succummed and read it, having to educate myself on French braid in the process. I came away thinking how Palin's approach to her hair is demonstative of the kind of woman she is -- superficial. She knows enough to function, like the average person, but has no particular in-depth skills of note, whether it be hair or governance.

[blahdiblah]

Actually, I like her hair. It always looks healthy.

[DeeW]

lol I don't like the woman but her hair wasn't that bad,sheesh.

[TEAQUEEN]

That is called a BAD HAIR DAY! What Palin-drome needs is a new-do to bring her up to speed to how Real Women in the lower 49 states_wear their hair in 2008.And she needs a brain transplant,an English course on use of proper English,a Speech class,current events update,a personal hand-held FACT CHECKER,a Miss Manners course on following the rules of Debate,a years subscription to newspapers and magazines_(you'd think with a Journalism degree _she might know the name of one or two whether they're left or right),a subcription to National Geographics to help with other country locations that maybe in her VIEW,a daily session with a Psyche for therapy_especially on Women's rights_and how to prevent young girls from being mothers (children having children),maybe a couple of Supreme court cases like Brown v Bd. of Education _one of the more historical ones for the education of Alaskan chilren's equality_And _if it's not asking to much_please check with an eye doctor on that out-of-control WINKING problem! Then and only then_would she be ready to deal with the tough issues that she'll be confronted with_when she returns to Alaska_Troopergate, The Citizens that want answers,etc...You Betcha!