Not-So-Blind Justice: On Style And The Supreme Court

Lady Justice may traditionally wear a blindfold, but she certainly doesn't want it to look as if she were wearing one while getting dressed in the morning.

Assuming that Judge Sonia Sotomayor is confirmed to the Supreme Court, she will face many important decisions - including what to wear to work. And as is the case for another unexpected fashion icon recently relocated to the nation's capital, America will be watching.

Of course, U.S. Supreme Court justices have it a bit easier than First Ladies when it comes to their sartorial selections. Although the first chief justice, John Jay, wore imposing red and black robes - a nod to early colonial and English judges, but minus the heavy wig - the Court's color palate faded to black by at least 1800. Since then, all-black robes have been de rigueur, and few justices have varied more than the pattern of their neckties peeking out at the top.

John Jay

One notable exception to the Justices' uniform dress code was former Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. While attending a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe, he so admired one character's costume that he returned to chambers and had four gold stripes added to each sleeve of his own robe. Nor was this an isolated instance of the Chief playing dress-up; he also kept an elaborate Native American feather headdress, a gift from his clerks, in his office. The current Chief Justice, John Roberts, has engaged in no such dramatic displays.

William H. Rehnquist

The first woman appointed to the Court, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, experienced a somewhat different challenge from her judicial brethren. Black robes are simple unisex garments, but what about that little exposed triangle at the base of the neck? The gentlemen justices all wear standard shirts and ties, but women's choices are far more varied when it comes to professional attire. Justice O'Connor could have redesigned the neckline of her robes, elected to wear a scarf or necklace, or even added one of those sad floppy bows so ubiquitous around the time of her appointment in the early 1980s. Instead, she and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ultimately chose ruffled white lace jabots, reminiscent of those still worn by many male and female judges in England and France. Elegant, yes, but surely there are more modern choices than an accessory our more fashionable Founding Fathers would have worn.

Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsberg

While federal law leaves the justices free to design their own robes, Judge Sotomayor will almost certainly follow tradition and pack her current collection of black robes for the trip to Washington - and not whip up, say, a hot pink version for the occasion. A certain soberness and uniformity in judicial dress underscores the message that judges and justices do not speak for themselves as individuals; they represent the rule of law and speak for the court. As our newest Supreme Court nominee has noted, however, the presence of a "wise Latina woman" on the bench puts a different face on the law.

In her new role, soon-to-be Justice Sotomayor will have thus the opportunity to craft a sartorial style that conveys not only gravitas but independence. Black may be her go-to color choice as both a judge and a lifelong New Yorker, but she also has a penchant for adding a flash of bright red, deep purple, or even acid green, as well as a fondness for bold earrings. Here's hoping that she has a moment to celebrate her historic professional achievement with a trip to her favorite jeweler - and not just to buy a pair of bipartisan pearl studs.

One of Sonia Sotomayor's pairs of earrings

Comments

[progressiveconnie]

GOOD MORNING!!! MY FELLOW HOMO SAPIENS WHICH MEANS THE SPECIES WHO IS WISE.
C-SPAN broadcasted many college graduation speeches, all inspiring, many moving, touching, humorous or wise.
While listening to these speeches given to America's next generation that will be making the decisions on how to resolve their countrys challenges and problems one is reminded that many generations in human history faced awesome challenges and problems and those generations always managed to resolve them the best they could and one can only wish these young people the best of luck and hope they have obtained the wisdom, knowledge and common sense that often eluded our generation and that they will achieve better results then we did.

[robinhood1]

Here is a picture of Justice Rosalie Abella of Canada's Supreme Court: http://www.scc-csc.gc.ca/details/abella-eng.asp

[Rita at Goldivas]

Very nice!

[Iccallie]

If Judge Sotomayor STYLE AND PROFILE HER BRILLIANCE and EXPERIENCE,
very few will be paying attention to what she's wearing, whether; red, white, blue OR pink.

Like most professional, mature, achievers, she's probably well capable of choosing what makes her look nice.
.
She appear to know what to wear, whether working, or relaxing and having fun.
( ** In CASE she should show up for work in a blue and white striped robe with red, glittery, star-studded earrings, THAT, would be a reason for concern).
Even, in that CASE, she might have a justifiable reason for such actions.
Other than that, the Judge seem to be ready, willing and capable of bringing some real justice to the USA via THE CONSTITUTION. Let's Wish Her Well!!!!!

[LemonMeringue]

Word to the judges:

less is more

They all look silly.

[Peabodies]

I hope Justice SotoMayor will add a hot pink collar ruffle to her black robe. If only in recognition of the brave Code Pink women who have been fighting the good fight all these years.

[Lita Smith-Mines - Huffpost Blogger]

To paraphrase my grandmother, let's hope how to adorn her robes/ear lobes is the worst decision Judge Sotomayor has to make in her long tenure as a Supreme Court Justice.

[Grandma used to say when overhearing me gripe about a blemish or a strand of flyaway hair: "I hope that's the worst thing that ever happens to you in life!"]

[grammargirl]

What's with the "hot pink" comment?