Dear Abby Approves

Guess what?
Even Dear Abby knows the value of a good vintage dress:

Dear Abby: I go to church with a woman who is generous and means well, but she likes to give away her old hand-me-down clothing. Recently she gave me two old dresses that fit me, but I wouldn't be caught dead in. I'm 15, and she doesn't understand that.

I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so when she asked if I liked them, I told her they were pretty.

My mom is planning to donate the dresses to charity. But now the woman is saying she wants to give me more of her old dresses. I don't know how to handle this.

-- Second-hand Teen

Dear Second-hand Teen: Your neighbor is both kind-hearted and generous. She also appears to be into recycling, which is a good thing.

Before you turn your nose up at what she is offering, please consider that vintage clothing can be valuable. Some of it is "classic" and can be worn regardless of what the current fad may be. Members of the Hollywood crowd, as well as fashionable members of New York society, already know this. I often see their photos in magazines wearing some of the marvelous items they have collected. However, if your neighbor's dresses are really not your style, then you should be honest and graciously tell your neighbor that they're not for you.

So there you go.
Wear VINTAGE, Dear Abby said so.
And where are these old ladies who like to give away their vintage clothes?
I need one of them in my life.

New Look vintage dress shown above is here at Damn Good Vintage.