Page "Nancy Reagan" Paragraph 30

Though her elegant fashions and wardrobe were hailed as a " glamorous paragon of chic ", they were also controversial subjects.

In 1982, she revealed that she had accepted thousands of dollars in clothing, jewelry, and other gifts, but defended her actions by stating that she had borrowed the clothes and that they would either be returned or donated to museums, and that she was promoting the American fashion industry.

Facing criticism, she soon said she would no longer accept such loans.

While often buying her clothes, she continued to borrow and sometimes keep designer clothes throughout her time as first lady, which came to light in 1988.

None of this had been included on financial disclosure forms ; the non-reporting of loans under $ 10, 000 in liability was in violation of a voluntary agreement the White House had made in 1982, while not reporting more valuable loans or clothes not returned was a possible violation of the Ethics in Government Act.

Nancy expressed through her press secretary " regrets that she failed to heed counsel's advice " on disclosing them.