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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Court - WAPO's Robin Givhan comments on SCOTUS attire

"Trial by attire: Supreme Court look should go with everything we believe in" is the heading of this Oct. 9th column by the Washington Post's style columnist, Robin Givhan. Some samples:

Thankfully, the newest member of the Supreme Court, Justice Elena Kagan, declined to mar her elegant black robe with a lace scarf, lady's tie or any other doilylike frippery for the high court's annual class portrait.

When the justices gathered for their historical snapshot Friday, the majority arrived in nearly indistinguishable robes, which is as it should be. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the lone voice of dissent. She wore -- as is her wont -- a white lace frill that flopped down the front of her chest like a hankie she'd tucked into her collar. Her judicial flourish echoed that of retired justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who also was inclined toward a distinctive neckline, although hers, on many occasions, resembled nothing more closely than a crisply pleated lobster bib. * * *

The gentlemen all had the wisdom not to mimic former chief justice William Rehnquist, who personalized his robe with four gold stripes on each sleeve. He was inspired by a character in a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta.

Today the Post has printed a Letter to the Editor:
I agree, wholeheartedly, that former chief justice William Rehnquist's gold stripes were over the top, but Justice Ginsburg's modest adornment only reflected the spirit of the times when she and her sister in justice, Sandra Day O'Connor, came to serve on this highest of our courts.

The simple neckwear of our two new female justices looks just fine, but certainly there is no need for Justice Ginsburg to change her established style. May she wear it with her usual grace and in good health as long as she sits on the court.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 14, 2010 09:43 AM
Posted to Courts in general