Enlarge By Eric Jamison, AP Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, arrives at a rally in Henderson, Nev., on Tuesday with daughters Willow, to her immediate left, and Piper. Federal records indicate the Republican National Committee spent about $150,000 to clothe and accessorize Palin and family members. PALIN AIDE: CANDIDATE'S CLOTHING TO BE DONATED PALIN AIDE: CANDIDATE'S CLOTHING TO BE DONATED A spokeswoman for Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says the campaign will donate to charity some $150,000 in clothing and accessories the Republican National Committee has purchased for the Alaska governor. Money donated to the Republican campaign paid for the clothes and others items. The announcement comes after Politico.com reported that the RNC had spent more than $49,000 at Saks Fifth Avenue stores in St. Louis and New York and another $75,000 at Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis. The purchases were reported in the McCain campaign's September FEC report. Palin spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt released a statement saying it was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign. - The Associated Press The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August. According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74. POLITICS BLOG: Would male politician face same scrutiny? The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September. The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August. The cash expenditures immediately raised questions among campaign finance experts about their legality under the Federal Election Commission's long-standing advisory opinions on using campaign cash to purchase items for personal use. Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin's announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs. Spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to answer specific questions about the expenditures, including whether it was necessary to spend that much and whether it amounted to one early investment in Palin or if shopping for the vice presidential nominee was ongoing. "The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent," she said. But hours after the story was posted on Politico's website and legal issues were raised, the campaign issued a new statement. "With all of the important issues facing the country right now, it's remarkable that we're spending time talking about pantsuits and blouses," said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. "It was always the intent that the clothing go to a charitable purpose after the campaign." Slideshow Palin Fashion The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles. In 2000, Democrat Al Gore took heat for changing his clothing hues. And in 2006, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) was ribbed for two hair styling sessions that cost about $3,000. Then, there was Democrat John Edwards' $400 hair cuts in 2007 and Republican McCain's $520 black leather Ferragamo shoes this year. A review of similar records for the campaign of Democrat Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee turned up no similar spending. But all the spending by other candidates pales in comparison to the GOP outlay for the Alaska governor whose expensive, designer outfits have been the topic of fashion pages and magazines. What hasn't been apparent is where the clothes came from – her closet back in Wasilla or from the campaign coffers in Washington. The answer can be found inside the RNC's September monthly financial disclosure report under "itemized coordinated expenditures." It's a report that typically records expenses for direct mail, telephone calls and advertising. Those expenses do show up, but the report also has a new category of spending: "campaign accessories." September payments were also made to Barney's New York ($789.72) and Bloomingdale's New York ($5,102.71). Macy's in Minneapolis, another store fortunate enough to be situated in the Twin Cities that hosted last summer's Republican National Convention, received three separate payments totaling $9,447.71. The entries also show a few purchases at Pacifier, a top notch baby store, and Steiniauf & Stroller Inc., suggesting $295 was spent to accommodate the littlest Palin to join the campaign trail. An additional $4,902.45 was spent in early September at Atelier, a high-class shopping destination for men. Capitol News Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more