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The Schmooze

Forget Dissent Collars, The Notorious RBG’s Favorite Fashion Accessory Is A Good Scrunchie

Ruth Bader Ginsburg always takes things to the next level.

Take her collection of judicial collars. One plain collar just wouldn’t do — she has a literal closet full of collars of all shapes, sizes and designs. Colorful collars, lacy collars, even a bib necklace that she wears as her dissent collar.

But collars aren’t the only accessory that the honorable justice collects and covets.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Ruth Bader Ginsburg also collects scrunchies. But not just any scrunchies — these scrunchies are internationally sourced.

“I have been wearing scrunchies for years,” RBG told the WSJ. “My best scrunchies come from Zurich. Next best, London, and third best, Rome.”

Also revealed in this interview: RBG’s scrunchie collection “is not as large as my collar” collection, but that they are “catching up.”

Why does it matter that RBG has an extensive scrunchie collection, spanning decades and continents? Well, scrunchies are officially back in style, with high fashion versions turning up at Balenciaga in logo-ed lambskin for the Spring 2018 collection, spurring a flurry of mid-priced and fast fashion options. But there’s also the distinct practicality in the louche lines of this 80s staple: it’s comfortable, easy to use, and doesn’t crimp and mark the hair the way traditional hair ties do.

And that is why RBG is not just a Supreme Court Justice, but a supreme fashion icon.

Image by netaporter.com

Balenciaga ‘Chouchou’ textured leather hair-tie, $195, netaporter.com

Image by modaoperandi.com

Solid & Striped set of 3 scrunchies, $30, modaoperandi.com

Michelle Honig is the style writer at the Forward. Contact her at [email protected]. Find her on Instagram and Twitter.

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