Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton walks on stage in Armani after winning the highly contested New York primary on April 19. Photo / Getty
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton walks on stage in Armani after winning the highly contested New York primary on April 19. Photo / Getty
Hillary Clinton gave a speech in April about inequality, among other things. Almost two months later, a keen-eyed viewer spotted something amiss.
Under bright lights and in front of supporters screaming, "Hillary, Hillary," Clinton thanked supporters for getting her across the line in the hotly-contested New York primary.
Her 18-minute speech touched on a range of topics. She spent considerable time talking about helping people who have nothing.
"Now, we all know - we all know many people who are still hurting," she said.
"I see it everywhere I go. The Great Recession wiped out jobs, homes and savings, and a lot of Americans haven't yet recovered."
Some supporters have lept to Clinton's defence saying she can wear what she likes without it being a reflection of privilege. Photo / Getty
It was an opportunity for the woman most likely to become the first female president of the United States to show she was just one of the people. She could relate to their struggle.
The problem: she was wearing a US$12,000 (about $17,000) Georgio Armani jacket when she delivered those words.
The New York Post first reported how much the tweed jacket set the former first lady back.
"It was a clear attempt to position herself as an everywoman ... but an everywoman she is not," the Post wrote.
The story was quickly picked up by other outlets, including CNBC, and circulated on social media.
"Actually, $12,000 seems obscene - no matter who she would be talking with on any issue," one person wrote on a Reddit thread on the topic.
"To me, more than anything is that she just doesn't get it!" another wrote.
"Wearing this and quite possibly, her diamond earrings, shows that she has no clue and is nothing more than a publicity stunt. She could give a s*** less about us, the working class."
But some defended her, saying she can wear what she likes without it being a reflection of privilege.
"I feel that what a politician wears and their concern (about) inequality are two separate things," one Redditor wrote.
"I'm sure FDR and Ted Kennedy had high end wardrobes as well."
In her speech, Clinton said America is a "problem-solving nation" and her party had "real plans that will improve lives, creating more good jobs that provide dignity and pride in a middle-class life, raising wages and reducing inequality."
