What’s the difference between Vintage and Retro? (2024)
We’ve recently been asked what the difference is between vintage and retro and so we thought we would write a post on the subject and welcome anyone reading to make their comments too.
In this picture you will see a vintage 1952 Yonezawa toy car, currently worth nearly £7000! The Blue Wooden Race Car is retro and from one of our Brands, Candylab Toys, who are inspired by 60's Americana Modernist style but with a modern twist. And currently only worth £32!
According to Wikipedia ………..An antique (Latin: antiquus; “old”, “ancient”) is an old collectable item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society. An item should be at least 100 years old to be defined as an antique.
Generally speaking if the item is no older than an antique but not less than 20 years, it falls under the term vintage. I have heard the term ‘true vintage’ as being at least 50 years old. Interestingly however, the term vintage relates primarily to wine and is an altered form of the French word vendage, meaning “the grapes picked during a season.”
What can sometimes be confusing is that items that are vintage are often described as retro and so there is a one sided overlap of the two terms.
Wikipediadescribes Retro style as “a style that is consciously derivative or imitative of trends, modes, fashions, or attitudes of the recent past. It generally implies a vintage of at least fifteen or twenty years. For example, clothing from the 1980s or 1990s could be retro. Retrostyle is an outdated style or fashion that has become fashionable again. The word “retro” derives from the Latin prefix retro, meaning “backwards, or in past times” – particularly as seen in the words retrograde, implying a movement toward the past instead of a progress toward the future, and retrospective, referring to a nostalgic (or critical) eye toward the past”.
Retro items don’t have to be old, they can be brand new, but would have to be made in the style of the time or item they are trying to replicate.
So, perhaps the best way to think about the difference between retro and vintage is that vintage refers to the acutal construction, whilst retro refers to the appearance.
Someone once told me that you can describe a vintage item as retro but never a retro item as vintage!
It’s interesting if you ask people their interpretation! Generally speaking I have found the consensus is that vintage conjurs up images of antiques, dresses, lace, pearls and florals whilst retro implies geometric shapes, mod and iconic design led items.
Terms also used are vintage style and retro style. But surely they are the same thing?
Confused still? If so, head over to our Toys & Games section to see some great Retro items
Think of classics such as bowling shirts and letterman jackets. However, over time, the definition of retro has also come to encompass things from the recent past -- things not old enough to be authentically vintage
vintage
Vintage design refers to an item of another era that holds important and recognizable value. This style can be applied to interior design, decor, clothing and other areas. Vintage design is popular and vintage items have risen in price. Outlets of vintage design have shifted from thrift store to shabby chic stores.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Vintage_(design)
July 25 2022. People often get confused when talking about vintage and retro items. Basically, vintage denotes something that is authentic from an era at least twenty years ago, while retro is new items that have been made to imitate items of the past.
While there's no official expert consensus for an item to be considered vintage, many agree an item should be between twenty to ninety-nine years old. An item regarded as retro is made recently but designed or in the style of items from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and very early 2000s.
Vintage art prints are authentic, original pieces from a specific era, capturing the spirit and aesthetics of their time. Retro art prints, on the other hand, reimagine and reinterpret the past, remixing elements from different eras to create something new and exciting.
Oftentimes, vintage items bring back feelings of nostalgia and may also be collectible. Retro: When it comes to retro furniture or decor, it may not actually be old at all. You often will find retro pieces at popular retailers today. These items are newly made but designed to look like vintage or antique items.
used to describe clothing, jewellery, etc.that is not new, especially when it is a good example of a style from the past: She loves buying vintage clothing. The actress turned up at the Oscars in a classic vintage dress.
Typically, the term retro is given to items which are at least 20 years old (but not yet 40 years old). Again using today's posting date, retro items would be those made between 1979 and 1998. Also found in antique malls like Fargo's F.A.R.M.
What is the difference between vintage and antique? Simply put, an antique is any item — whether it be a work of art, jewelry, carpets or everyday objects like housewares and accessories — that is over 100 years old. Vintage items are much younger, less than 100 years old, and typically have a collector's appeal.
The term retro has been in use since 1972 to describe on the one hand, new artifacts that self-consciously refer to particular modes, motifs, techniques, and materials of the past. But on the other hand, many people use the term to categorize styles that have been created in the past.
Unlike vintage, retro items are not necessarily old but are made to replicate the style of a certain period. Retro decor is often bold, colorful, and eclectic, with a playful nod to the past. It's a celebration of nostalgia, bringing back popular designs in a modern context.
Retro fashion is synonymous with bold prints and patterns. From polka dots and stripes to floral and geometric designs, these prints add a playful and eye-catching element to your outfits. Don't be afraid to mix and match different prints or incorporate statement pieces with intricate patterns.
Vintage: Denoting something from the past of high quality, especially something representing the best of its kind. Antique: Having a high value because of age and quality. Classic: Judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.
What Is Vintage? Vintage items are much younger than antiques. These pieces are typically defined as being at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old. The term "true vintage" is a sub-category for items that are at least 50 years old.
People often call modern days pieces from some dress stores “vintage”, but is not vintage, unless it was made 20 years ago. Having an old style doesn't make it vintage, nevertheless, the pieces made between 1920 and 2001 are now, technically vintage despite not everything has that typical charm.
People often refer to graphic design styles that are inspired by the past or are from the past as vintage or retro. If you want to be more accurate, vintage means designs that were made in the past while retro refers to designs that were simply inspired by the past.
Wikipedia describes Retro style as “a style that is consciously derivative or imitative of trends, modes, fashions, or attitudes of the recent past. It generally implies a vintage of at least fifteen or twenty years. For example, clothing from the 1980s or 1990s could be retro.
Retro design derives from trends and art forms of the past, including graphic design, music, and fashion. More specifically, it usually refers to design styles of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Retro design may be an updated version of an old design style or only inspired by its features.
Typically, the term retro is given to items which are at least 20 years old (but not yet 40 years old). Again using today's posting date, retro items would be those made between 1979 and 1998. Also found in antique malls like Fargo's F.A.R.M.
What is the difference between vintage and antique? The majority of experts have agreed that items over 50 years old but less than 100 years old can be called vintage or collectable, but not antique.
Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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