When Dave Flury got married last year, one decision was quickly made: He took over the walk-in closet of the couple's Parkville apartment; his wife, Penelope, got the small spare room.
To him, it made perfect sense, and his wife couldn't disagree. His collection of shirts, jackets and trousers clearly outnumbered hers.
But in his case, dressing well isn't simply about quantity. The 31-year-old general manager of F.A.O Schwarz in Towsontown Center believes in showing his gregarious personality through his wardrobe.
"I'm kind of hammy," says Mr. Flury. "If it will draw attention, I'll wear it."
How does working in a toy store affect your style?
There's a certain juvenile element in my wardrobe. I really like bright colors, print shirts and striped socks.
But at work we all wear uniforms: khaki pants and a white sweat shirt with the store logo. If I have business meetings, I'll wear my Barbie tie.
What are your real attention getters?
My brown suede jacket with 12-inch fringe. I also have a shirt with people making breakfast all over it. And a friend in New York always finds me great striped socks. My newest are hot pink and lime green.
What's the most surprising reaction you've received?
I have a pair of plaid gloves. Some stranger told me it looked like I was wearing a bath mat. I also have a sweater with lots of purple, red, yellow, orange and green circles. People tell me it looks like an Easter egg.
What in your closet has been a dud?
There are a couple of Hawaiian print shirts that are passe. And I have a couple pairs of pants that are very '80s. They're baggy and then tapered at the ankle: that parachute-y look. I don't think I'll put those on my body again.
What's the strangest thing you've ever worn?
In one of my past jobs, I managed a Disney store. Our uniform was an acrylic cardigan and really bad black polyester pants. They had no crotch. They were like pull-ons. It was horrible.
Friends say you "combine preppy styles with theatrical touches and a love of Elvis" in your closet. What do you make of that?
There is a cardboard cutout of Elvis in my closet. I don't have rhinestone jumpsuits, but I do appreciate wretched excess. I actually have two pairs of blue suede shoes. I also love button-down shirts. I just prefer them to have giant fish all over them.
What celebrity, living or dead, would you most like to dress like?
I love the '40s styles. You see stills of Jimmy Stewart, William Holden and Gary Cooper. There was this effortless quality about their clothing. They could look as comfortable in a tuxedo as in khakis and a polo shirt.
Where do you shop?
I love sales. I'll hit T.J. Maxx and C-Mart. I also like the Gap, Banana Republic and the J. Crew catalog.
What would you most like to forget you ever wore?
In junior high, I had a plaid wool jacket in cream, burgundy and hunter green. I look back at that thing and think it was really attractive. NOT.
Is there anything you long to own?
I'd love to have a purple mohair sweater and purple suede bucks.
What kind of look would that achieve?
Oh, I don't know. '50s kiddie-show host?
Do you know some dressers? Let us know. Write to Mary Corey, The Baltimore Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278.