Is it possible for something to be retro, vintage and antique? If you are a certain seller I saw recently, um no, no and no! In reality, yes but not nearly as often as Ebay would have you believe.
Also amused by some cute young things at one of my local coffee shops selling their ‘vintage’ clothing aka two season’s past Sass & Bide to fund an overseas holiday.
I’ve been thinking about this for some time. Definitely not the first to discuss the issue, there’s a great [old] article on Apartment Therapy. The comments are also worth reading.
This is my favourite from Deniseb:
I noticed yesterday on Craigslist [online classifieds] something listed as being both antique and from Pottery Barn.
And another comment highlights a purist’s view that an 100 year old piece of mass-produced furniture can’t be classified as antique.
Blogger Pollybland also covers the retro vs vintage vs antique debate.
The general consensus supported by online dictionary Merriam Webster is that an antique is
a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago.
When it comes to cars however, The Antique Automobile Club of America defines an antique as 50 years or older. [Wikipedia]
Merriam Websters defines vintage as
of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : classic
dating from the past : old
If you are selling on Etsy vintage items need to be at least 20 years old. It’s one of the reasons I changed platforms. Sometimes I just don’t know for sure. Other times I have newer stuff.
Here’s something acurately described on ebay! [because it was In a forum] :
The correct usage of the word vintage must be used with a year.
my car is vintage 2001…my computer is vintage 1999… this WWII item is vintage 1943…
retro is less age specific and more of a vibe, defined as
relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past : fashionably nostalgic or old-fashioned.
[Merriam Webster again]
Retro furniture may not actually be old but it references styles of the recent past.
[Apartment Therapy]
So, an 100 year old [preferably hand made] item is an antique, being vintage 1913 and looks retro because it was made in the style of the time.
Would love to know how many of the 2637 items that come up when I type in retro vintage antique on ebay are actually valid
but hey, in the end I’m old enough to care but too young to write a strong worded complaint Grampa Simpson style.
When I read your magazine, I don’t see one wrinkled face or single toothless grin. For shame!
To the sickos at `Modern Bride’ magazine.
Grampa Simpson types an angry letter.
The Front, The Simpsons Season 4, Ep 19
urban rustic 
What a great topic! Blahh ha ha hah antique/pottery barn… SERIOUSLY? It’s just a buzz word that sellers think will draw people in and make them think it’s “so cool”.
I’ve always thought of antiques as being over 50 years old (but 100 is probably better) and vintage to be at least 20 years old. I do however think it’s appropriate to use vintage and then the year it was made. That for some reason makes sense to me.
I have many pieces in my home that I consider vintage… meaning they are some of the first produced of their kind. Many of those are now over 50 years old so they could definitely by vintage/antiques in my eyes. Love that you wrote about this. It’s so annoying to see those words tossed around without the “seller” or whoever, ever giving thought to what they’re saying.
But then again, I’m like you… I’m almost an antique myself so I don’t have the strength to argue about it. HA HA HA HA! I’ll just put on my vintage 2000 pajamas and watch TV. 🙂
Well thanks young Stacey. Not so antique yet I’m sure. It’s a tricky subject and something that will always be accidentally and intentionally misused but what can you do? I’d like to see those pyjamas…Or would I?
It never ceases to amaze me how people incorrectly attribute things to wrong eras …a few times maybe but constantly! Art Deco 1950s. Bit of a purist I always say if you don’t know dont claim you do and you it is all about research, time and patience. Retro late 1960s-1970s I often say i know this because a I am retro. A lot of japanese figurines, ceramics, kitsch etc and fantastic plastic like in your last pic including our own Decor icon not just scandinavian love that we still manufactured things here australia. A favourite site http://ianwongresearch.blogspot.com.au/search/label/1970s
Ps Love your blog! I have the same tray but it is orange only and my decor salad servers are yellow! And had the crystal craft spoon and pot stand in yellow and green.
It never ceases to amaze me how people incorrectly attribute things to wrong eras …a few times maybe but constantly! Art Deco 1950s? Bit of a purist, I always say if you don’t know it don’t claim you do also it is all about research, time and patience. Retro late 1960s-1970s I often say I know this because I am retro. A lot of japanese figurines,
ceramics, kitsch, prints and so much more etc and fantastic plastic like in your last pic including our own Decor icon not just scandinavian love that we still manufactured things here australia. A favourite site http://ianwongresearch.blogspot.com.au/search/label/1970s
Ps Love your blog! I have the same tray but it is orange only and my decor salad servers are yellow! And had the crystal craft spoon and pot stand in yellow and green.
Ha! Thanks Tonianne. I hear you. I just saw something listed as 80’s Atomic. And big thanks for the link. That Decor stuff is awesome. i’ve always thought it was cool stuff, just never devoted that much time to it…PS I accidentally published before I was ready and then decided to take the vintage fakes away. Save it for another day. Thanks for commenting. Sounds like you have some awesome stuff. Have you got a blog? Cheers
[…] So what’s vintage? 20+ years is the general consensus. Being old isn’t enough to make something valuable, but it does help. Observe the Zoo Line Kay Bojensen ‘inspired’ AKA knock-off teak monkeys circa 1950s, now selling for almost the same price. […]
What’s up, just wanted to tell you, I loved this post. It was
helpful. Keep on posting!