Oh, we’ll chatter about who bested whom, Joe Biden or Sarah Palin, during tonight’s vice presidential debate. Let’s leave it to others to ponder the political ramifications.

Let’s talk about how she looked.

Flattering black semi-satin skirted suit, hem modestly to the knee, jacket tied at the waist and then flared. A touch of shoulder padding and relatively narrow lapels, with a solid black skimmed top underneath. Oh, and a very large sparkling American flag pin on the lapel, but we’ve already talked about that kind of thing.

Yea, a little heavy on the cheek color (Hey, you’re gonna be on TV!). And those much-discussed frameless glasses. 

Her hair was at its best: a partial updo, complex at the back, clearly a pro’s work. (Let’s see you hop out of bed and put that sucker together.) Twisted and tucked, softly separated (partial braid?), puffed at the sides and top, sprayed but still looking soft, falling below the shoulder. Youthful, fresh, perhaps a tad stiffer up top than you’ll find on the soccer field sidelines, but nothing that you’ve ever seen on a VP debate stage.

What to do now? Let’s rush out and try to find stuff like she wore!

Nanette Lepore’s skirted suit is more sultry, but the jacket is similar. And it’s on sale for $273. You can always count on St. John for a solid, simple black suit, at right, (but not cheap at $597 - on sale!). Here’s one from Neiman Marcus that is close and isn’t out of the hockey rink: Craig Muller herringbone skirt suit for $395. This Teri Jon has girlie ruffles at the lapel, but it’s not like you’re going to debate Joe Biden, is it? For $475.

Wait: this is about as close as we’re going to get tonight: Kay Unger’s satin and lace skirt suit, above, for $565.

Oh, and let’s not forget her delicate golden drop earrings. Not distracting, but a bit of a feminine shout out nonetheless. These Ralph Lauren drops with dangling balls are a little more overt than Palin’s, and these are crystal but they kind of fit the bill, from Dillard’s for $20. Let’s go to Etsy, where artisans create handmade goodies and, goodie, these could work well, by Julian Bailey for $57 (pictured, left).

Oh, yea. Joe Biden had a nice black suit with pinstripes and a smallish flag pin. And we really shouldn’t linger on moderator Gwen Ifill’s brightly colored satiny, smocked jacket other than, well: It was a solid statement of fashion independence!