Easy DIY Ruth Bader Ginsburg Halloween Costume - Only 5-Pieces to Complete the Look!
For Halloween some people like to dress as comic super heroes with tights and capes. But there are real life super heroes who are flesh and blood humans and I personally prefer to honor them with my Halloween costumes.
Continuing my tradition of feminist-themed bad ass women halloween costumes, this year I am embodying the Notorious RBG, formally known as Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg. If ever there was a badass woman in our recent history, it was Ruth.
I will address the elephant in the room here and say that Ruth is a controversial figure and some don’t agree with her stances on women’s rights and specifically abortion. I am here to tell you that I do strongly agree with her. No laws should dictate what women can be allowed to do with their own bodies.
Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg had an extraordinary career with most notably being the second woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court. In the early days of her career she had a hard time finding work as a lawyer because she was a woman and a mother. Her personal experience undoubtedly fueled her passion for helping women.
Ruth was outspoken in her fight for equal rights for women - ranging from equal pay, equal access to education, rights to an abortion and more. She played a big role in passing multiple landmark legislation which modern women benefit from today. Ruth was also a champion of LGBT rights and even wore a rainbow collar to visually show her support to the gay community. Sadly Ruth died in 2020 leaving a supreme sadness in our feminist hearts.
This simple and easy Ruth Bader Ginsburg Halloween costume is an ode to a remarkable woman, and quite frankly is so comfortable and warm for Halloween night!
The Five Pieces to Building Your Ruth Bader Ginsburg Costume
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Famous Collars
The single most recognized symbol for Ruth Bader Ginsburg are her majority-opinion and a dissent collars. She paired these jabots (another name for collar) with her judicial robes to make a statement. Each one of the collars she wore were coded with hidden meanings and sent a visual message along with her words.
On Etsy many artisans make Ruth Bader Ginsburg collars from various materials. Mine shown in these photos was handmade from beads and I purchased it on Etsy. You can also find them made of lace and fabric.
Additionally they make Ruth Bader Ginsburg costumes for children if you want to sport a mother and daughter Halloween costume.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Oversized Black Frame Glasses
Ruth was a go big or go home kind of gal and even her glasses make a statement. You almost never see a photo of her without her signature frames. Vintage Etsy sellers have retro style “grandma eyeglasses” that work very well for this costume.
Pro tip: The glasses that I’m wearing don’t actually have any glass in them. This way I can wear them without worrying about a prescription bothering my eyes. My advice is to pop out the lens.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Black Judicial Robes
Ruth’s judicial robes were a very tradition cut with the classic black color. This really allowed for her collars to stand out and make a statement. When I was shopping for my costume, I purchased a matte black zip up graduation gown. It’s important that you spring for the matte fabric because otherwise you will have a glossy and shiny satin fabric which looks cheap and not very Ruth-ish.
What to Wear Under Your Judge Robes
The beauty of this costume is that you can dress very comfortably under your robes. I woke a black crew neck long sleeve blouse from H&M and long black leggings. Very warm for a cold Halloween outside. And then of course I had my boots which made walking very comfortable too.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Round Retro Earrings
Looking through many photos of Ruth, she often wore round and oval shaped retro style earrings. These earrings were popular in the 1950’s and vintage shops on Etsy often have them for sale.
Statement Boots
Adding some combat boots is my own personal modern flair on this costume. Obviously Ruth herself didn’t wear robes and combat boots but hey, it’s Halloween this girl just wants have fun. The shoes in this costume are a fun way to add your own style and panache to the costume.
The Best Ruth Bader Ginsburg Quotes for Inspiration:
“Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.”
“My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant be your own person, be independent.”
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you”
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
“I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability.”
“On the subject of abortion - This is something central to a woman’s life, to her dignity. It’s a decision that she must make for herself. And when government controls that decision for her, she’s being treated as less than a fully adult human responsible for her own choices.”
“Better bitch than mouse.”
“There will be enough women on the Supreme Court when there are nine”
Shop Ruth Bader Ginsburg Costume Pieces:
On Etsy you’ll find many crafters who hand make RGB’s famous collars out of beads and lace.
An important piece to the RBG costume are her signature glasses. On Etsy vintage shops will sell “grandma eyeglasses” that work well to achieve the look.
If you look through old photos of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, you’ll notice that she often wore oval shaped vintage style earrings.
Judge gowns look very similar to graduations gowns and they’re much easier to find. Stick to matte versus shiny satin, they look much classier!
These combat boots were my way of making my costume a little more modern and fun. Who doesn’t feel like a badass when wearing these boots?!
