Vintage verses Retro

What do you consider vintage and what do you considered retro (in regards to fashion)? I’m actually not sure and did a search on Wikipedia, here’s what it said:

Vintage clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 1980s is considered vintage.

Retro is a culturally outdated or aged style, trend, mode, or fashion, from the overall postmodern past, that has since that time become functionally or superficially the norm once again. The use of "retro" style iconography and imagery interjected into post-modern art, advertising, mass media, etc. It generally implies a vintage of at least 15 or 20 years.

Personally I don’t think 70’s fashion as vintage, it just seemed more retro but I really don’t know what made me come to this conclusion. 50’s fashion definitely feels vintage to me but again I just assume it is.

What do you think?

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Permalink Reply by Christine on August 26, 2011 at 11:55am

I have the same 'definition' as you. 70's seem retro to me, 50's vintage, etc. I was actually just thinking about this the other day as I tend to throw the word 'vintage' around more than I do retro. At the same time, looking at those definitions from Wikipedia, my use of each word has then been 'wrong.' lol Vintage to me has generally just been 'old stuff' in general, including looks and styles.

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Permalink Reply by Rosemary on August 26, 2011 at 1:05pm

Your application of usage of these two words could also be seriously affected by when you were born! I sure hope that vintage does not refer to the 60s-70s because that would make ME Vintage! Yikes! (A good vintage, naturally - but still.....)

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Permalink Reply by Cathe on August 26, 2011 at 3:35pm

I had the same thought when I was pondering this…being born in the 60's does this make me vintage?? and yes of course we would be a good vintage (thinking wine here)!

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Permalink Reply by Judy Roberson on August 26, 2011 at 2:39pm

Cathe...

I agree totally with you.. Have no reasoning behind me..just feel like the 70's is retro.. and the 30's through the 60's as vintage.???

Like your question.. Made me think about it..

I really like the vintage styles ,but also like the 70's . Now..when it gets to the 80's... eeeh.. not so likeable.ha.[But then again--- some one will do a dress on SW with an 80's pattern, and I will love it.. I think it all depends on what magic a person puts in to the style?