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!
Lets take it back a little further…..
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 Retrostyle is an outdated style or fashion that has become fashionable again.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
FAQs
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, but not merely "just used things" either. They are just old enough to be nostalgic.
What is the difference between vintage and retro? ›
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.
What is the difference between vintage and retro age? ›
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.
Is 50 years old an antique or vintage? ›
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.
What's 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.
Whats does retro mean? ›
: relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past : fashionably nostalgic or old-fashioned.
Is 80s retro or vintage? ›
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.
What does vintage mean? ›
vintage adjective (FROM THE PAST)
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. To be called vintage the piece should strongly reflect styles and trends associated with that era.
How old is a retro? ›
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 makes something vintage? ›
Vintage just means “of age,” so any item between 20 and 99 years old could be considered vintage. If the item is highly sought after and considered “culturally significant,” it could even be valuable.
Objects from the 1920s may now, for the first time, be considered antiques in the States. Antiques are not simply 'old' objects, though. They tend to be quality items, displaying a degree of craftsmanship and as a result are often somewhat scarce – only adding to their value.
What year is vintage now? ›
If the item is no older than an antique but not less than 20 years, it falls under the term vintage. Therefore the answer is quite simple — a vintage item should be at least 20 years old, which means that today items from 2001 are considered vintage. Something from a year ago could be considered vintage.
Is 1996 considered vintage? ›
Vintage is used to describe items that were made in the 1920s or later (but not later than 20 years before the present year). It refers to the age of the item, rather than its style.
What time period is retro? ›
Typically, Koch says retro typically means made in the last 20 years — and affordability is the point.
What age is classed as vintage? ›
age. Within the industry, items that are at least 100 years old are defined as antiques, whilst the requisite guidance on vintage items is a bit more loosely established as items at least 30 – 40 years old, but less than 100 years old.
Is 1968 vintage or antique? ›
Vintage Car: Manufactured between 1919 and 1930. Either a “survivor” or restored in conformance to the original manufacturer specifications. Antique Car: Manufactured 1975 or earlier (>45 years old). Either a “survivor” or restored in conformance to the original manufacturer specifications.
Is retro 70s or 80s? ›
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.
What is considered retro age? ›
The world's first usage was in 1972 and encompasses colorful new technology and fashion up until the 1990s. Any item at least 15 years old can count as retro. However, you can also call something retro if it's new but still evokes vibrant styles like Mod or Maximalism.
Is 20 years old considered vintage? ›
Many times, the appeal of vintage goods is nostalgia and fond memories of the past. Vintage just means “of age,” so any item between 20 and 99 years old could be considered vintage.
