RBG: Inspiring Strength Through Fashion

She stands at about 5'1" with a slight frame you think would tumble over in a strong Santa Ana wind. She's also known for her soft spoken voice. The word shy is often used to describe her. By these accounts most would think this woman was a fragile shrinking violet. But if you judge her by her professional track record, you know she's actually a badass ninja trapped in the body of a petite almost-86-year-young lady. This champion of equal rights and dissenter of all things straight up wrong has earned herself the moniker The Notorious RBG. It started as the name of a Tumblr by Shana Knizhinick and quickly caught on like the tide pod challenge, except way less dangerous and much cooler. RBG has become so notorious that she's inspired an Oscar nominated documentary, a movie, t-shirts, operas, and even a species of praying mantis llomantis ginsburgae (it appears to have the same affinity for lace ruffles).  

Her quiet but calculated demeanor got me thinking about strength and how it comes in many forms. This pioneer of justice doesn't show her strength in an obvious megaphone style like #1 fan of Kanye West, Kanye West. No, this tough as nails gal has grit and it shows in the cases she chooses to defend and in her eloquently written dissents. Her many contributions to the legal landscape include fighting for equal pay, gender discrimination against men and women, as well as voting rights. Her strength even comes through in her fashion choices, which was particularly interesting to me as a personal stylist. 

Her sweat session wardrobe includes a sassy super diva sweatshirt which contrasts nicely

against her perfectly coifed hair and conservative eyewear. The entire look together says, 'I'm playful yet practical.' After all, one does need something comfy to wear as they get swo to opera music. And when I say swo, I mean she can do legit plank-style push ups. Her fun sense of style doesn't stop at the gym door either.

She puts her stamp on her werk wardrobe as well. Her judicial robe is usually accompanied by embellishments such as the well-known black beaded dissent collar. She famously wore the LBC (little black collar) the day after the 2016 election, probably because her other collars were at the cleaners...or perhaps not. The collar has inspired a series of necklaces and earrings in the same motif for those who want to make a statement that says, 'B!@#h please, sit down.'

There's also the mega chic gloves. This trend started as an effort to minimize the chance of infection while going through chemo. She liked wearing them so much that they've been on heavy rotation ever since. Her gloves range from white ladylike-lace to don't-play-with-me-today jet black. This signature accessory adds a strong feminine touch to the no-nonsense voluminous robe that was designed for the men that came before—before it was even fathomable that a woman could or would ever don the prestigious garb.

The poster woman for girl power also loves her some bold color and pattern, which often comes in form of ornate artisanal designs. These pieces seem to illustrate her connection to people all over the world. Her ability to bridge relationships with individuals from various walks of life is evidenced by her unlikely bond with late conservative supreme court justice and best bud Antonin Scalia who once said her opinions were "almost always correct."

Fashion is a weapon you can wield to show your inner strength. RBG teaches us that a simple gesture can speak volumes about who you are. Fashion can be the perfect way to show you are a confident boss on a first date, display your bold point of view during a presentation, or proclaim your baddest b&*^h in town status when asking for a raise. Whether it's a swipe of bright red lipstick, a power suit, or a pair of fishnet gloves, this seemingly innocuous fashion choice is as mighty as the proverbial sword.