Justice Scalia, Fashion Police

For someone who wears pants that are a little tight in the seat, Justice Antonin Scalia has plenty of opinions about fashion. Tony Mauro reports on recent remarks by Justice Scalia about one of his former clerks, Solicitor General Paul Clement:

[T]he warmest words [at a recent Georgetown Law reception] came from Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom Clement clerked in 1993 and 1994. Scalia said that Clement, who had shown his talents as deputy solicitor general before being promoted, was "the sentimental favorite" among justices for the post. "I am so glad he is solicitor general, because he makes my job easier."

But Scalia mystified the audience somewhat by revealing one complaint he had about Clement: the black vest he wears to the Court with the customary swallow-tail morning coat as solicitor general.

Scalia insisted the vest should be a pearl gray, and he thought Clement had broken with tradition. "As you know, all change is presumptively wrong," Scalia said, only half-joking. But the justice said he had the Court curator look up the history of the outfit, and, sure enough, Clement was right; black is the proper and traditional color for the SG's vest.

Interesting! One of those rare occasions when the brilliant Justice Scalia has gotten something wrong.

To the handful of you lucky enough to ever work in the Solicitor General's office, please take note, and dress accordingly. To the Great Unwashed, take this knowledge as purely academic, for your information only.

(Yes, A3G knows that a handful of lawyers in the SG's office never clerked on the Supreme Court; but come on, let's get real. If you're not among the Elect, your chances of being hit by a bus, killed by a terrorist, or hit by a terrorist driving a bus are better than your chances of getting a job with the Solicitor General. HA.) 

There are additional interesting tidbits in the full article, which can be accessed here.

Comments

[PG]

Scalia may have gotten the idea that it was supposed to be grey based on the attire of Clement's predecessor, Ted Olson.

[Goldie]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/11/fashion/weddings/11KERR.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Fancypants]

It's a very well known fact Scalia doesn't wear underwear. Google it if you don't believe me. I find it amazing he'd have the gall to comment on a morning jacket, since it invite query on his non-traditional undergarment policy.

[Goldie]

Alito sighting!
http://www.confirmthem.com/?p=2474#comment-201600