Behind the Basic Black: A Brief History of the Judges' Robes

When I think of a judge, a single article of clothing stands out in my mind.  The simple black robe is a marker of the wearer's impartiality, consistency, and transcendence of society's numerous divisions.  These are qualities that Americans value in the judiciary; unbiased, pure thought is most reliable when it comes to handling our rights.  Thomas Jefferson was among the originators of this trend; many of the Founding Fathers sought to distance the American judiciary from the "needless official appeal" of the aristocratic British judges.  The dissent others expressed at the nation's founding resulted in a compromise: the loathed official wigs were banned, though more elaborate robes of office remained permissible.  Over time, however, the judicial robe's adornments dwindled until a formal uniform ceased to exist.  By the mid-19th century, the simple black robe worn by most judges today became the traditional attire.  Still, inconsistencies abound: female judges often accessorize with a frilly white collar, some state Supreme Court judges wear colored sashes, and the justices of Puerto Rico don robes with Spanish-style sleeves.  In any case, these robes surely signify what the Founding Fathers wanted the judiciary to embody: authority, duty, and unbiased thought.