Chicago Tribune Retail Notebook Column.

By Becky Yerak, Chicago Tribune Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Apr. 20--A brain twister: How do you get from "The Passion of the Christ" to Hartmarx Corp. in three steps?

While you're charting it out, here's another tidbit from the Chicago clothing manufacturer's annual shareholder meeting and media briefing last week.

Contrary to some reports, there is "not some big huge trend" toward consumers wearing dressier apparel, said Hartmarx Chief Executive Officer Homi Patel.

Of Hartmarx's $561.8 million in 2003 sales, 56 percent came from its dressier tailored lines, while 44 percent was from its more casual non-tailored clothing. …