The 1960s "princess" coat, with a fitted waist and three-quarter length sleeves, had been purchased at a Salvation Army thrift store. Other models wore new coats purchased at discount stores and boutiques, but nothing looked as good as the old coat.

One of my most beloved vintage finds was an exquisite 1950s or '60s cashmere coat. It was beautifully cut and had a wide shawl collar, perfect for protection against winter winds.

When I wore it I felt like a movie star. It was impossible to feel anything but elegant in that classic coat. I don't think I paid more than $20 for it.

Last summer I was the guest speaker at a Rotary luncheon. As I was leaving, a man came up to tell me that his daughters were "into" vintage clothes. "They love Audrey Hepburn," he said.

Now, those girls have potential.

As a teenager in the late 1970s, I adored Hepburn, Grace Kelly and other Hollywood fashion icons. There was something about the way they moved and carried themselves - remember this was during the heyday of bell-bottom jeans and maxi skirts - that looked regal and possessed. Oh, sure, I wore my hip-huggers, but in my mind, I was wearing haute couture.

As I moved into my 20s, and didn't feel the need to follow trends quite so closely, I gave in to my movie star fantasy.

Now, I have daughters who are growing up in an age of "throw- away" fashion, and sweatshop goods hanging on the racks of too many stores, and I still think the wrong garments are being discarded.

Vintage clothing doesn't have to mean dated and tacky. A careful shopper can pick up real treasures.

I spent so many hours trolling the racks of sweaters and coats of the thrift stores in my hometown, I learned to pick out the cashmere items by touch, simply by sweeping my hands down the rack feeling the material between my fingers. When I touched cashmere, I knew it.

I wore beautiful beaded sweaters, and knitted twin sets. And in the winter, I wrapped myself up in my heavy cashmere coat.

I paid for my clothes by buying quality vintage items and then reselling them to the professional theater companies, and college costume departments around town. My first real business was a vintage clothing store on the "artsy" side of town.

After I started my family, I put my vintage threads aside, in favor of jeans or khakis and white cotton shirts. But now that I'm dancing through middle age, the old things are catching my eye again.

A couple of years ago I spent a couple of days prowling through thrift stores in Palm Springs, Calif.

I bought home a beautiful "little black dress" that had been custom tailored for my 1960s twin. I've only worn it once, but I loved every minute of it. If I never get to put it on again, that was enough.

Most of the time I carry one of those roomy and efficient purses that can be worn as a backpack. It holds everything I need (and a lot I don't need.)

But the other day, I brought home an elegant little vintage handbag. It's just big enough for a make-up bag, a cell phone and of course, a reporter's notebook.

If Grace Kelly had been a reporter, it's just what she would have carried.

MAILBAG

Q.: I have a vintage suede coat women's coat with flowers down the length of the front and on the back. I don't know much about it but I would guess that it is from the 1960s. I'm interested in selling it. It is in very good condition, just needs a cleaning. I'm wondering if you can tell me where to go to get an estimate of its value?

Jessica Griffin, St. Louis, MO

A.: To find out how much your coat is worth, try searching online sites like www.rustyzipper.com, or on eBay.