How does being a musician affect your style?
I have gone through a lot different phases from being very conservative to rather flamboyant. As performers, we have to wear a lot of black. So I don't like to wear black when I'm not on the concert stage.
You perform in tuxedos. How many do you have?
Either a tuxedo or tails or a black suit with a tie. I have one of each, although I did recently go to a different type of tuxedo. It's a line that Michael Jordan has endorsed. It's more contemporary. It's got fully baggy pants with pleats, satin lapels and full shoulders.
Who dresses better -- you or David Zinman?
thought he looked very natty this summer in white shorts and long white socks. That showed great fashion sense. He dresses very simply for concerts, very practically. When you conduct, you have to feel comfortable. That helps the musicians and audience feel comfortable, too. When people are relaxed, they hear better.
How would you describe your clothes?
like to wear brightly colored shirts and baggy clothes. I'm not too much of a tie person, although I am developing a tie collection. I do love wearing bolo ties.
Is that because you lived in Colorado?
I was there for about 10 years. There were some really creative bolos around that time. Bolos allow a man to wear something that's a little like jewelry. There was a time years ago when I thought I'd have my ear pierced. It was during the summer, five or six years ago. But it didn't quite fit the image of a conductor of an orchestra.
we stopped by your house on a Saturday morning, what would you be wearing?
My pajamas and a bathrobe. I usually don't get dressed until lunchtime on the weekends.
What would you say you're most comfortable in?
AIn the winter, corduroy pants and a wool sports coat with a loose cotton shirt. I also love wearing fluffy sweaters. Last summer, I wore T-shirts and baggy shorts and sandals. One of my neighbors didn't believe I was assistant conductor. He said, "You look like a hippie. You're not a conductor."
you feel pressure to look a certain way because of your job?
Not really. Some days I dress casually, some contemporary. In many ways, I'm eclectic in my dress. The one thing I find difficult to do is shave every day.
You have three young children. Does that ever crimp your style?
Mornings are a struggle. My wife and I go into high gear at 7, with showers and dressing. We both have to be out the door at 8. It's shaving and shoes that suffer. The shoes don't get polished very often. Maybe four times a year.
What influenced your style?
grew up in England. I wore the baggy look as a teen-ager. In the '70s, there was some really colorful stuff. That's when I started flip flopping between flamboyance and conservative clothes. I did wear some very flamboyant things then -- orange dungarees, multicolored platform shoes.
What wouldn't you wear today?
I have a couple of things in my wardrobe that I rather like, but they're not "in" anymore. Loose muslin tops from the '70s with open necks. I like them, but they're not appropriate. Sometimes I'll wear them around the house, though.
Do you know some dressers? Let us know. Write to Mary Corey The Baltimore Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278.