In the closet of Thea Johnson, you'll find three people: a mother of two, a fitness instructor and a banking professional.
That means T-shirts, business suits and spandex shorts all have a place in her life. But Ms. Johnson, who works as a trust analyst for First National Bank of Maryland during the week and teaches funk aerobics at Meadow Mill Athletic Club on the weekends, often incorporates play clothes in professional settings and professional clothes in play settings.
"I never wear anything that I don't think is in good taste," says Ms. Johnson, 30, who lives in Randallstown. "But I'm not the most conservative dresser either. Some people don't dare to be different. I do."
How do you coordinate your wardrobe living a triple life of sorts?
Creatively. Basically, I intertwine them. I don't like conservative, boring clothing. It has to have some spice. I'll teach class in a crop top and baggy shorts. Then I'll wear that same crop top underneath a double-breasted jacket to work. Or, I'll wear a baby-doll dress with pumps and opaque tights to work. I'll use that dress for class, wearing it with socks, Timberland boots and shorts.
How do these styles influence each other?
Doing the fitness classes gives me ideas about how I want to look professionally. It adds a little bit of sensuality to conservative work attire. My style is definitely a "Theaism."
How have others described it?
Some have called it funky, wild, flamboyant, cute and spankin'.
Do you think you push the taste limit for your profession?
Definitely. I wear many short skirts and bright colors. I never wear anything baggy. It's not flattering to me. I work too hard to have the physique I do. I don't want to cover it up.
What do you consider going too far?
I'd never wear leather to work. And I hate leather pants and skirts. They never fit right.
What do you wear the most?
I have a pair of black leggings and a black leather vest that I wear with a black T-shirt and high-heel boots. I love black. It's so suave. I'll put on a pair of silver hoop earrings or lots of bracelets.
Do you have a work favorite?
A pewter green dress from Ann Taylor. It's long-sleeved with a built-in vest. It has a nice tapered line.
How does your look change in your off-hours?
Then I'm a mother of two girls (ages 11 and 5), so I put on my mother hat. I have one pair of jeans I wear all the time and T-shirts from my travels. But my children know me. They think I'm wild. They love to play dress-up in the closet. They come up with very creative ideas, some of which I take. They recently took their headbands and wrapped them around the brim of a hat. It looked good, so I've started doing it, too.
Where do you shop?
Cignal and the Gap. Whenever I travel, I try to buy an outfit.
What in your closet do you most regret buying?
There was a dress I bought from Nordstrom last year. It was a gold sequined halter dress with goofy-looking pearls on it. I don't know what attracted me to it. It's tacky.
What do you long to own one day?
A black, full-length cashmere coat that I saw at Neiman Marcus in Miami. It was stunning -- double-breasted and butter soft. I think about it all the time.
What will you wear on New Year's Eve?
A long black dress. It's crushed velvet with a mock turtleneck. I'm wearing a funky high-heeled ankle boot with it. But it will be a quiet night. I'm just going to dinner.
Do you know some dressers? Let us know. Write to Mary Corey, The Baltimore Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278.