Pepper Tree London: What is the difference between Vintage and Retro Clothing?
People use the terms vintage and retro clothing very often but quite rarely they know the actual difference between the two. So, the next time if you would like to impress your friends or colleagues with these terms, read on and understand the differences between the two!
The vintage era can rightly be called the era that started in the year 1920s. So, anything that was launched during the 1920s until the year that is approximately twenty years before form the date today can be referred to as vintage. This means that we are in the year 2017 right now so twenty years back, it was the year 1997. Thus, items made between the years 1920 until 1997 can be called vintage. Moreover, it also be understood that it is not the style that is termed vintage, however its age that is termed vintage.
However, not all the fashion items that came into being during these years can be termed vintage because some of them might not have a vintage appeal. A couple of very good examples for your understanding could be fur coats and blouses. Both were made and were popular around 1955 to 1960, nevertheless, only fur coats have a vintage appeal among fashion divas rather than a regular blouse.
Moreover, the term vintage can be used for any ornament or accessory and not just for fashion or clothing. Items from clocks, cars, jewelries to wardrobe style, radios and other ornaments are also termed vintage as per the year they were created and made popular.
The word however originates from a French word called vendage. This word was used to refer to grapes that were picked and pulled during their particular season. The term vintage as we know it today was first used for old wine. And now we see people referring to vintage Burberry shirts and vintage Barbour jackets from earlier decades.
Now, there is a huge difference in what is referred to as Retro. Retro doesn’t signify a particular time period during which a fashion or an item was created or made popular. However, retro is the term given to a particular style of an item. This means that if a designer has created some sort of clothing while being inspired from a past style, then this item would be termed as retro. So, stores where you see styles that were popular in seventies or eighties are basically bringing back the old styles and fashion; so these clothes can rightly be called as retro and not vintage.
This means that retro clothing helps to bring back those vintage fashion or styles in the contemporary world using modern colors but the basic old touch remains the same. This helps people to get those vintage looks without actually buying the vintage items that are originally from that time period.
Generally, for retro styles, fashion from twenty years ago are imitated and brought back to today’s world. Thus, these styles are taken from the recent past that people are aware of. Also, retro doesn’t have to be limited to clothing just like the term vintage. This can also be used to refer to house decorations, wardrobe styles, toys and even music can be termed as retro when the contemporary bands imitate something from the recent past and give it a contemporary touch.
