For caterer Marlene Meyer, food is fashion.
Not, of course, the stains and spills that land on her clothes during the average workday, but the vibrant pepper designs on her socks and the embroidered vegetable pattern on her silk vest. "Chef's wear is not as boring as it used to be," says Ms. Meyer, who's in her early 50s and lives in Mount Washington.
But during the height of the party season, she has little time to worry whether her clothes are boring. As the owner of Life of the Party -- a catering and party planning firm that has done 20 events in the last month -- she says black, comfortably stylish clothes have seen her through many frantic days.
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Q: How do you find time to dress -- much less look good -- during these frenzied times?
A: I'm not real beautiful when I'm in the kitchen. I have to wear something loose and all-cotton. I don't believe in spending a fortune on clothes for catering. I consider what type of party it is and what the guests will be wearing. I want to be dressed like the guests but underplay it. Red is my favorite color, but for catering I wear black. Whenever I go shopping and see something black, I buy it. At the beginning of the season, I'll buy 24 pairs of black hose. And I have five pairs of black silk pants. I then accessorize with sparkly jewelry.
Q: How would you describe your look?
A: Classic. I like to buy things that are timeless. I don't believe in wearing the latest fad -- unless it's inexpensive. This year I went out and bought all white tops -- thin merino wool sweaters and silk shells -- to wear with black suits.
Q: Is there one outfit you get the most mileage out of?
A: I have a black pantsuit. It's like an Armani copy -- lightweight crepe, single-breasted, collarless. It's the type of thing you can wear three seasons, and it takes you a lot of places. Just recently I treated myself to a pin with tons of telephones on it.
I put that on the jacket and you don't need anything else.
Q: Where do you do shop?
A: This year I did a lot of shopping out of town. I like Ann Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. The other thing I'll do is hit some discount places for catering clothes. You can always find a pair of dressy black pants on sale.
Q: Does your look change during your off hours?
A: I like to be very casual. I wear designer sweats -- Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. I try to be more upscale than just wearing a sweatshirt with a name of a school on it. This year I bought a lot of flannel.
Q: What have you worn to holiday parties you've attended and not worked?
A: I wore a black pantsuit with a white lace shell and my fur coat. The next party I'm going to will be casual. I'll wear an oatmeal-colored cashmere sweater and gabardine slacks.
Q: What's the biggest hassle about getting dressed in the morning?
A: If I'm working in the kitchen, meeting with clients and doing a party that night, I may change as many as three times. I keep a bag in the car with toothpaste, makeup, hairspray, a hairbrush, perfume, extra stockings, two pairs of shoes and a towel. I've changed in nearly every bathroom in this city. I hate that.
Q: When all is said and done, what do you put on for sheer relaxation?
A: A big old sweatshirt and sweatpants. It's the way of the world.
Do you know some dressers? Write to Mary Corey, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278.