Clothing

Stephanie Torrible's Reisterstown consignment shop specializes in secondhand designer duds. It also specializes in giving women a second chance - even those who never set foot in the Main Street store. Clothing that doesn't sell and isn't reclaimed is donated to nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping women land professional jobs, including Baltimore's Suited to Succeed. One woman stands out for Torrible. "She came up to me at an event and told me she got her clothes for her job interview and for her first few months of work from my shop's donations," said Torrible, who opened Wear It's At six years ago. "I love hearing that I helped make that happen.

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc.'s stock surged Wednesday after the retailer announced a nearly 13 percent increase in second-quarter profit and plans to expand the chain to 800 locations. Shares in the Hampstead-based men's apparel chain ended the day up $5.81, at $47.44, in Nasdaq trading. Jos. A. Bank expects to grow to 700 full-line stores and about 100 factory stores in the United States, the company said. The chain, which now runs 572 stores, had previously announced plans to grow to 675 stores.

Several local business are among more than 30 insurance and financial professional firms that will be conducting a clothing drive beginning in September to support four metro area nonprofits. The drive will focus on collecting gently used and new business attire to assist House of Ruth, Suited to Succeed, Attire for Hire and Maryland New Directions. Each organization assists with resume writing, interview techniques and also allowing their clients to select the proper business attire for their first interview.

Why are cool-looking baby clothes so hard to find? That's the question that led two local fathers of young children to launch Charm City Babies in July. The company makes and sells onesies with clever messages and vintage sensibilities, and donates one to a good cause for every one that is sold. The concept began just over a year ago, shortly after Scott Smith's son, Leyton, was born. Richie Frieman, who is married to Smith's first cousin Jamie, stopped by to see the new addition to the family, and was smitten not only with the baby, but with his onesie, which had been custom-designed by Smith.

Okay, so you're in Ocean City and you decide to do some shopping to unwind. If you're looking for some cheap souvenirs, there is nothing wrong with going to your nearest beach-item supermart. Or if you want the mall experience, there's always the recently renovated Tanger Outlets in West Ocean City. But, if you are looking for something beachy to add to your regular wardrobe, here are some of our picks for the best clothes by the beach. Raggamuffin, 2401 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, 410-289-3311.

An 18-year-old man dressed in women's clothes was fatally shot in the head at a gas station in East Baltimore early Saturday morning, according to police. Desean Bowman, of the 200 block of Ballou Court, was pumping gas shortly after 2 a.m. at the Exxon gas station at the corner of E. Fayette and N. Caroline streets, near the Douglass Homes neighborhood, when a female friend of his got out of the car he was fueling and went to the station's cashier window, police said. At the window, the girl was approached by an unknown man who identified himself as "Tay" and attempted to talk to her, police said.

- As the draw for Preakness post positions came to an end Wednesday evening, Donna Peiffer's work was just beginning. Into the night she worked, turning a dozen colorful cloths into identification badges that will help millions of racing fans follow a favorite horse from starting gate to finish line. I'll Have Another, Bodemeister, Daddy Nose Best - each cloth was embroidered with the name and number around the Preakness logo. Folded neatly and placed in a plastic bin, they awaited a final inspection, a pressing and the trip to Pimlico Race Course . On Saturday, the cloths will be placed on the backs of the horses before saddles are cinched and the jockeys mount.

There will be a free food and clothing distribution event Saturday, May 19 at First United Methodist Church of Laurel, 424 Main St. The clothing distribution, sponsored by Grace Community Church, will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The food distribution is sponsored by Priority Partners and the Capital Area Food Bank, and will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Pick up free food and learn about getting no- and low-cost health care benefits for...

The mother of a juvenile suspect who admitted this week to accidentally shooting 13-year-old Monae Turnage is being investigated in connection with circumstances surrounding the killing, the woman's attorney has confirmed. The attorney, Isaac Klein, said a prosecutor told him his client's DNA was found on Monae's bra. Two of Monae's relatives gave a similar account, saying homicide detectives informed them that DNA from the mother of the 13-year-old suspect was found on the girl's body.

People packed the pews and filled the balconies of Baltimore's historic Bethel A.M.E. church Sunday morning to honor a man they credit with reviving the house of worship — one of the city's most influential — and bringing unabashed passion back to the black church. The daylong ceremony recognized the Rev. John Richard Bryant's 50 years of service, which began in the steepled church at the corner of Druid Hill Avenue and Lanvale Street and took him to Africa and Massachusetts, then back to his hometown and, most recently, to the Midwest, where today he presides over the 4th Episcopal District as a senior bishop.