Maybe you noticed Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s signature fishnet glove held to her face for Time’s “The 100 Most Influential People” issue? Very notorious, isn’t it?  We’ve seen the judicial icon rock mitts like these before (like when she reached to hug President Obama at the State of the Union address).  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hugs President Obama before the president’s State of the Union address on Jan. 20, 2015. (Mandel Ngan/AFP)  If you’ve missed it, the rock star justice definitely WANTS your attention now. It’s so. Very. In. Her (your). Face.  It’s a great look, but is there a reason behind it?  Justice Ginsburg explained in an e-mailed statement, “Justice (Sandra Day) O’Connor said when I was having chemotherapy after colon cancer, ‘You are vulnerable now, and you’re going to receptions and shaking hands with lots of people, so you should at least wear gloves.’ This was in 1999. So, I wore gloves and liked them so much, I decided to keep wearing them.”  [RELATED: Ruth Bader Ginsburg goes full Notorious RBG]  Fashion industry expert, Marylou Luther, creative director of The Fashion Group International and editor of International Fashion Syndicate, points out that the justice’s striking fashion choice evolved from a practical reason into her signature, akin to fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic fingerless gloves, which he first wore to cover his aging hands.  Luther marveled that the justice’s photo for “Time 100″ is “a very positive expression of her individuality, and her fearlessness.” Adding, “For this woman who has championed women’s rights, it’s lovely to see that she’s championing ladies’ rights. It’s okay to be a lady. You don’t have to be a CEO in pantsuits.”  There you have it, folks, the reason behind “Notorious R.B.G.’s” fashion sense that has inspired a Tumblr, a T-shirt and even a potential ice cream flavor.  As a bonus, let’s revisit a few other times Ginsburg broke out her fancy gloves:  Justice R.B.G. opted for black, lacy ones when she attended a surprise birthday party for Michael Kaiser, former president of the Kennedy Center, in 2003. Next to her is pal and former justice Sandra Day O’Connor.  She chose a white pair for a silent auction she attended at the Ritz Carlton in 2013.  These black, tea gloves Justice Ginsburg wore while speaking to a crowd of 3,000 at the University of Michigan in February look very similar to the one she showed off for “Time 100.”  Check out this nude, knitted set “Notorious R.B.G.” displayed when she attended Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) annual Women’s History Month reception in March.  BOLO: Common, Mary J. Blige and No Doubt will be around this weekend  5 Minutes with Maria Bartiromo  Deesha Dyer named the new White House social secretary  Sign up for The Reliable Source newsletter. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The judicial icon offers an explanation for her style signature, as seen on Time mag's "100 Most Influential People" issue.