I Wear

For the first time in many years, Judith Orlinsky won't go shopping for back-to-school clothes. Instead, the Goucher grad is making the transition from college student to business owner.With her stepmother, Judy Taylor-Orlinsky, she's opening Japonaji, a clothing and crafts store that celebrates Japanese design, in Bare Hills today.If such an endeavor sounds ambitious for a 22-year-old, not to worry. Ms. Orlinsky, who happens to be the daughter of former Baltimore City Council President Wally Orlinsky, isn't concerned.

To Shana Kroiz, clothes are a backdrop for her jewelry.The brooch designer, who is also the director of the Maryland Institute Jewelry Center, keeps her clothes simple to accent her sculptural enamel work."

When people run into Jerry Bray, they often ask him to do the same thing: lift his pants leg.If that sounds odd, you've obviously never seen Mr. Bray, vice president of French Bray Inc. commercial printers, in a pair of Mickey Mouse socks.Fanciful socks, bow ties and glasses give him a memorable style, which works to his advantage with clients, he says."People don't always remember my name, but they remember the guy who wears the bow ties," says Mr. Bray, 37, who lives in Timonium.His family, however, is more divided about his look.

For Laura Cunningham of Northeast Baltimore, the prom is no big deal, except that it is. It doesn't mean anything, except that it does. "You look forward to it and it's the culmination of all the fun you had [in high school], but, to be honest, I could not pay for the ticket and still have fun before and afterward," says the Baltimore School for the Arts senior, who nevertheless has retained a makeup artist for the event. "It's much ado about nothing. You stand around awkwardly in a big room and examine everybody else's outfit."

From operating on Dwight D. Eisenhower's in-grown toenail to pirating in the Inner Harbor, Dr. John Charlton, 69, has led a uniformed, if not uniform, life. He was a young podiatrist in the Army when called upon to examine President Eisenhower, and eventually Charlton and his wife Gloria became good buddies with Mamie, Ike's wife. After the Army, Charlton donned clown's togs as a potentate in the Shriners. And now, he is Captain Hook, tour guide aboard the Peter Pan Pirate Ship Baltimore, an amphibious vehicle that takes tourists on Baltimore streets and in the harbor as part of a historic tour program run by the Living Classrooms Foundation.

In Jean Tucker Mann's wardrobe, classic and funky co-exist.As human resource director for Community Building in Partnership Inc., a group dedicated to revitalizing the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhoods, she often must dress the part of executive. But when her high-pressure day is done, she likes to unwind in bright hues, flowing fabrics and unconventional styles."I work 10 to 12 hours a day," says Ms. Mann, 57, who lives in North Baltimore. "When I relax, I want to go all the way. My clothes help me do that."

Dr. Winnie King is a multi-talented career woman. Besides being WMAR-TV's health reporter, she is the attending emergency medicine physician at Baltimore County General Hospital. She has been married for one year to family practitioner, Dr. Robert Knight. Although her schedule is busy, she tries to find timeto sew, knit or crochet and she loves to sing and play the guitar.How would you describe your taste in clothing?I would say that I have a dual personality when it comes to fashion. At the hospital, I wear a scrub suit with a white jacket; on television I wear bright colored conservative clothes; after work you might see me in jeans and a low cut blouse or something really flashy.

B. J. Cook makes the fashion rules at her office. She checks off on stockings, scarves and jewelry before colleagues make a big presentation. She hands out fashion citations to those whose attire misses the mark. And she even lends things to associates who lack that perfect sweater or accessory."I can't give them my shoes," says Ms. Cook, 51, the assistant manager of Roland Park Travel. "I wear a size 10; my shoes don't fit anybody but me."How did you attain this status in your office?It just sort of evolved.

Joseph R. Kane is general manager of the Omni Inner Harbor Hotel. He is listed in the 25th edition of Who's Who in Finance and Industry, and was voted the Best Dressed Man of the Year in 1986 during his tenure as general manager of the PittsburghHilton and Towers. He and his wife, Frances, and their three children have called hotels their home.How would you describe your taste in clothing?I like quality, conservative clothes. The hotel business operates around the clock, year 'round, so I invest in clothes that not only present well on the job, but travel well.

When it comes to fashion, Deborah Dwarte is fearless. She'll give almost anything a try -- sequined pumps, backless dresses, leather suits.That makes her the object of attention around Notre Dame College where she works in the admissions office.It also causes conversation around her own Perry Hall home."My daughter Chenee is conservative," says Ms. Dwarte, 36, of her 17-year-old. "She looks at what I wear and says, 'I wouldn't be caught dead in that.' "*What's your style?Jazzy. My skirts range from minis to just above the ankle.