Liz Smith -- The New York Post -- Wondering who is masterminding Sarah Palin's exquisite dressing for success? We're told it's Gahl Hodges Burt, one of the chicest women in Washington, said to be "the best-dressed Republican in town." She was social secretary to Nancy Reagan from 1983 to 1985 and she is also reported to be sartorially advising Cindy McCain. Mrs. Burt's husband, Richard Burt, was the US ambassador to Germany from 1985 to 1989 and he is still a senior adviser at Kissinger McLarty Associates. The candidates do not want to be considered rich, elite or knowledgeable about such things, so they feel they can't make calls to fashion names or go out shopping lest they be found out. Sarah Palin probably wouldn't like to admit that for her big speech at the GOP convention, she was wearing a $2,500 shantung silk Valentino jacket. (And Page Six first told you about this - some soccer mom!) But she is getting high marks for how she looks, and she looks better and better. She has makeup sculpting her face for photo advantage, including the subtle lighter foundation stripe down her nose that brings out the cheekbones and narrows the nose. Her suits accentuate her slim waist and hips. And she carries no handbag, just like Hillary Clinton, Carla Bruni, Anna Wintour - we seldom see these women with pocketbooks, save for evening dress. Recent photos of Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain and Laura Bush show these ladies are also liberated, usually without pocketbooks. (All of these women have entourages to schlep stuff for them.) But they look good with hands and arms free.
