Everything Old Is? We found Mom’s LBD from the ’60s in the closet last week. Basic black, with a simple, chic halter collar -- purchased quickly, she remembers, in a Paris hotel shop for an evening cocktail party.

This vintage hand-me-down bears the label Piernany. It fit! And no one gave it a second look during a recent dress-up evening out.

How cool is it to wear your mother’s dress? You don’t have to pretend you are a grown up anymore!

Besides, all fashion now is vintage. Look at the designer dresses for spring, then check out similar fashions at www.dandelionvintage.com, run by New Jersey’s reigning vintage queen, Carol, from Ocean View. There is an amazing collection of dresses; day and evening, from the forties, fifties, and sixties -- most under $50.

“I've been buying, wearing and hoarding vintage clothing for over 20 years,” she e-mailed us.

Remember when only the quirkiest kids wore vintage clothes? The ones that always rocked to their own beat? Quirky is the new chic.

“My target customer is someone who wants to buy vintage pieces to work into her everyday wardrobe,” Carol wrote. “Customers who want stand-out pieces that no one else will have.” That covers everyone we know!

You can read more about Carol and her style-isms on her blog at dvintage.blogspot.com

We’re taking Mom’s black dress to the cleaners. Gotta be ready for the next grown up party.