Billie was Mr. Marcus's wife, born Mary Cantrell, whom he met when she was a sportswear buyer for Neiman Marcus.

He began his fashion career as a factotum for a video company, then joined Saks as an assistant European sportswear buyer.

When I recently asked her about it, my mom said she was never invited to speak to my class about her career as a ladies' sportswear buyer for a national chain store.

Mr. Di Donato advanced rapidly to the key position of sportswear buyer for 30 Wallachs stores.

"It's a very inside group," said Shoshana Baker, a sportswear buyer.

Mrs. Palmer, a sportswear buyer for Bloomingdale's in New York, graduated from Boston University.

Lee Donnarumna, the sportswear buyer, has logged a half-century in the retailing business.

"We've started ordering more small sizes in certain styles specifically for women," said Michael DeSio, the men's sportswear buyer.

Women's sportswear buyers know enough not to order certain things.