Is It Antique, Vintage, Classic, or Retro?
© GypsyJaguar 2020
Depending on what you're referring to and who you're talking to, the terms "antique", "vintage", "classic" and "retro" can mean a multiplicity of things. Below are a few general definitions based on clothing styles, products, cars and photographic images.
Vintage- This term comes from wine-making, indicating the age of a wine. Nowadays, the term is used in varying ways. In clothing and products, vintage generally refers to styles between 20 to 100 years ago (1920-2000), although it is used in place of "antique" for much clothing and photography made before the 1920's, as well. It can also represent cars built between the 1920's and 1930's for car aficionados, but can be used more loosely among common car enthusiasts. Vintage can also refer to photographic images that were taken with a non-digital camera, or over a generation ago, although with professional photography a "vintage print" is defined as a print made nearest the time the negative was exposed. The use of the word vintage has ended up becoming a catch-phrase for anything of, or imitating, the days of the past (pre-2000).
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Classic- Generally referring to "timeless" styles, or a simple, yet elegant look. Cars are commonly considered classic when they've been built over 20 years ago. But, a lot of car fans seem to classify "classic cars" as those made between the 1960's and 1980's. Music is considered classic when it is a popular piece that has been made at least 30 years ago. The word classic is often used to describe something the user deems of good taste, style and simple elegance. |
For a run-down on the above for clothing and products (+ cars):
Antique-- pre-1920 (cars: pre-1975)
Vintage-- 1920-2000 (cars: 1920's-1930's)
Classic-- variable (cars: 1960-1980)
Retro-- pre-2000
Modern-- current trend
Keep in mind that each person will have their own way of cataloging things. These are just basic guidelines to give you an idea of the approximate era each category represents. If you prefer to call all clothing styles and photos before the year 2000 "vintage", there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to. If you find the 1930's to the 1950's to be a "classic" era, by all means, deem it so! Whatever feels right to you and works best for what you're working with should be just fine.
Antique-- pre-1920 (cars: pre-1975)
Vintage-- 1920-2000 (cars: 1920's-1930's)
Classic-- variable (cars: 1960-1980)
Retro-- pre-2000
Modern-- current trend
Keep in mind that each person will have their own way of cataloging things. These are just basic guidelines to give you an idea of the approximate era each category represents. If you prefer to call all clothing styles and photos before the year 2000 "vintage", there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to. If you find the 1930's to the 1950's to be a "classic" era, by all means, deem it so! Whatever feels right to you and works best for what you're working with should be just fine.
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