Fashion rivals: Sarah Palin vs Michele Bachmann

Is Sarah Palin a fashion icon worthy of imitation? Arch political rivals Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann have too much in common when it comes to their style, says Bristol Palin.

Ever since Marie Antoinette decorated her three-foot high wig with a model of the Belle Poule battleship, fashion has been used to make political statements. The Queen of France wore a replica of the frigate to celebrate a French naval victory over the English in 1778, and from then on her wardrobe became a signifier of France's place in the world (and her place in France).

Sarah Palin famously had her very own Marie Antoinette moment during the US presidential election in 2008, when it was reported she and her team had indulged in a $150,000 shopping spree at several high-end department stores; recession be damned-apparently talks of the recession didn't include her over indulgent wardrobe. Michelle Obama promptly appeared on a television talk show wearing a high-street outfit bought online at J Crew: she didn't need to utter a word.

Enter Michele Bachmann, the latest Republican to announce her candidacy for the 2012 presidential election, and another fashion catfight begins (never mind how she proposes to halt job losses, repair the economy or deal with the Middle East).  Bristol Palin has a book to promote and this past Tuesday weighed in on Bachmann's wardrobe choices, claiming the candidate has been aping her mother's style all too much.

"I think she dresses a lot like my mom," Bristol said . "A lot of women have done that over the last few years. I think it's odd, you know? Seeing people with red blazers with their hair up with glasses…. I don't know if [Bachmann's] wearing glasses, but you want to be like, hmm, 'Do you think that people don't notice you're dressing like my mom?'''

Is Sarah Palin a fashion icon worthy of imitation? According to Bristol, the answer is yes.

Say what you like, but at least the debate about female politicians' fashion choices goes beyond party lines.

Recently, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's February interview with Harper's Bazaar was most memorable - and criticized - for her cooing over a hot-pink Ferragamo handbag.