Top Hat! Where did you go, what did you see?

Just wanted to show you this real cool beaver top hat from the 1800s! A must-have for the Steampunk fans and also for Civil War Re-enacters.

I found this one at an estate sale in the countryside west of Philadelphia. When I look at a hat like this, it is obviously well-traveled. Not a prop or costume, it sat in a hat box after its owner put it aside for the last time, probably a hundred years ago. Waiting in an attic waiting to be prized again. It's original owner wrote his initials in it.

Who knows what this hat saw and heard? The Gettysburg Address? A Philadelphia "A"s game in the late 1800s? Had it strolled around Rittenhouse Square on a spring day, complete with ascot and spats? Ridden in a horseless carriage in the spendor of an autumn day in Chester County? Was it the dear upscale possession of a young turk trying to make his way in the world? Or the every day hat of a Main Line patriarch? We will never know, but it's fun to wonder!

Some vintage collectors claim to "feel" old owners. I don't. But I like to wonder about them. And there's something just so wonderful about a hat that has seen history...of some fashion! And now it's ready for its second spring, out of the box and ready to live again! Here's where you can find this vintage top hat!

Vintage Lingerie, the Ultimate in Glamour! Interview with Laine from Fancy Pants and More

You know I love old movies and one thing you notice right off is that the stars wore glamourous lingerie! Both under the structured suits and at home lounging around, pretty lingerie reigned. What ARE we missing living in sweats? Laine is an expert in vintage lingerie. She is the owner of the the shop Fancy Pants and More, where you can find glam from every era. I recently interviewed Laine about her vintage lingerie shop!

Robin: Hi, Laine! When did you start selling vintage and how did you get into that?

Laine: I actually started selling antiques more than 35 years ago. Just basically buying and reselling. Vintage was not really a word at that time, at least not one that was used in association with anything but wine. My love for all things old began as a young girl. My mom didn't understand my obsession with her old things. I started selling online in 2003 and that's when the bug really hit.

Robin: Has your shop evolved/changed?

Laine: I started out selling mainly vintage toys and advertising, as well as some glassware. I fell into selling lingerie, which I collected, strictly by accident. I was looking to buy some bras, fairly inexpensively, so I was browsing eBay and started bidding on some. They went for so much money that I thought, heck, I will just sell my too small bras on here. So I listed them and within minutes I was getting messages and offers to buy them and any other lingerie I had. I had no idea that vintage or used lingerie was such a hot commodity. I knew I liked it, but to find out there was a market for it, sort of threw me for a loop in a very good way. It was nice to see others appreciate the beauty and quality I was appreciating.

Robin: It's funny how we vinites curate our shops differently. Each of us seems drawn to something, it's like we have our own style. What makes your site unique, what makes it stand out from others selling the same types of items?

Laine: I try to offer all price ranges, to have something to fit any budget. Unlike other lingerie sellers, I do not do repairs. I just price the item lower and leave it up to the buyer to do any repairs. It allows me to sell at a lower range and most people do not mind minor repairs or spot cleaning, when it means they can get a bargain.

Robin: Affordable vintage glam, I love it! Could you pick your favorite item for sale right now and tell me what makes it special?

Laine: As far as lingerie, this piece is one of my favorites. I am mad about chiffon overlays and Vanity Fair is one of my favorite brands for vintage. I have a couple Olga's that I also love. But to give one favorite, would be impossible. I love all the slips and slips are my thing. I love to sleep in them during the summer and lounge around in them on hot evenings. Sitting on my porch, sipping sweet tea, makes me feel like Elizabeth Taylor in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof!

Robin: Oh, that's a classic image! Any goals you'd like to share?

Laine: I just completed my big goal, which was to open my own website. My next big goal is to become one of the top lingerie sellers on the Internet.


Robin: Your own website, that's a big step toward becoming one of the biggest sellers. Laine, we always like to know the woman behind the business. Tell me some fun facts about you, yourself.

Laine: Well for one, I worked in construction for many years. It was a field that not many women were in and it was tough at times. Even though my work was mainly office oriented, some of the job took place on the job sites and some of the men did not like a woman overseeing the jobs. I can lay carpet, hang drywall, paint, cut trim, lay linoleum and sub flooring, install toilets and just about any other thing with regards to building or home improvement.

I am also a free lance writer. I used to own a desktop publishing company and had a greeting card line, mostly humorous, but also for weddings, funerals, etc. I did a lot of custom work, such as invitations and business cards. I write poetry and have had a few things published over the years.

I sing and have sung at funerals, weddings, and charity events as well as private parties.

Robin: Okay, I am just picturing you in your overalls...with vintage lingerie underneath, of course! Thanks for joining us, Laine. It's fascinating to peek inside your world!

St. Patrick's Day, Vintage Style

I was raised in south Florida, where decorating the home for Chrismas was considered just a little weird by people like my parents, who had a hard time connecting palm trees and Santa. And St. Patrick's Day was prime beach time, when suntan lotion and beach towels draped over the chair were the decor, not leprechaun figurines! When I moved to the Philadelphia area, I was totally enchanted by the lavish decorations for every holiday in almost every home. Especially in South Philadelphia, the Italian neighborhood, where every rowhouse decorated their front windows, whether huge bays or modest one window affairs, each holiday deserved to done up in style.

You know, St. Pat's is to be celebrated, whether you're Irish or not! Those within walking distance to St. Monica's know he's a Saint, all the same.

So I was a little surprised when I found these St. Patrick's day pieces recently, to realize they were...pretty old! I never realized that people did decorate with the "little holidays" so much back in the day. But labels prove it, and these cuties deserve to come back out of a box and onto a windowsill, or table or office desk. I'm on the lookout now, maybe I'll even find a rainbow .... and that pot of gold!