Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Gala

Every fervent fashionista knows that a key to dressing well is knowing how to work with your size and shape. For Anita Jackson, 58, it’s all about height. “I’m 5-foot-2 on a happy day,” said the Catonsville resident. “I have a small frame, so I don’t do anything too complicated.” In her work as chief of staff for Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. CEO Calvin Butler, that means dressing in classic, clean lines. Jackson said she likes to liven up her look with accessories, with certain rules attached. “The really chunky necklaces, I stay away from them. That overwhelms me. All you would see is the necklace. I want you to see me, not the necklace,” she said. “I never wear the shoes with ankle straps. They cut you off. I need something that gives me a longer line, a more fluid line.” You could see those guidelines in play in the gown Jackson wore to the BSO Gala. While there were ruching and fabric flourishes to give it some drama, the overall effect was that of a long, clean line. HER STYLE: “Classic. Timeless.” WHEN SHE RAMPS IT UP: “I’m behind the scenes at the work, but when I go out at night, I can make a big splash. When I go out to a gala, I want to be elegant and classy. I shy away from black when I go to formals because everyone has on black.”