Vintage clothing is clothing produced before the 1920s, with most garments from the 1920s to the late 1970s considered vintage. Retro is sometimes used interchangeably with vintage, but vintage clothing stores only consider clothing from the 1960s and ’70s to be truly retro. High-end designer dresses can be considered classics after two or three years. Vintage clothing is generally no less expensive to own than contemporary fashions. Authentic vintage clothing has value in the collectibles market.
Vintage clothing stores have become very popular in recent years, but many potential customers are curious about the difference between vintage and simply antique. Generally speaking, clothing produced before 1920 is considered vintage, worthy of collection or museum display, but not for everyday wear. Most garments produced between the 1920s and the late 1970s are considered vintage by most dealers, but some will extend this deadline into the mid-1980s.
The term ‘retro’ is sometimes used interchangeably with vintage, but many vintage clothing stores only consider clothing from the 1960s and ’70s to be truly ‘retro’. Clothing produced after the mid-1980s is generally considered a bargain price or a charitable donation.
One of the few exceptions to the age rule is high-end designer dresses. Unique designs from designers like Halston or Versace can be considered classics after two or three years. In fashion, vintage denotes an exceptional example of period clothing, or clothing that still has some commercial appeal despite its age. Having a declared vintage designer dress is a credit to high-end fashion designers.
In most cases, vintage clothing is no less expensive to own than contemporary fashions. A pair of hip-hugging jeans from the early 1970s in good condition can cost twice as much as a new pair of Levi’s. Vintage clothing stores are not to be confused with thrift stores. Selections at discriminating vintage shops are generally in excellent condition and carefully restored. Great care is taken to make sure the items are original, not cheaper reproductions that are sold in general clothing stores. This is especially important when it comes to highly collectible clothing, such as shirts with original Hawaiian prints and bowling shirts from the 1950s.
Authentic vintage clothing has some value in the collectibles market, so buying a vintage 1940s blouse or a pair of 1970s flared jeans should be considered both an investment and a fashion statement.
There is some debate over the designation of the vintage for the foreseeable future. Some may argue that a member’s jacket from the late 1980s or parachute pants from the early 1990s may one day qualify as vintage clothing. But many vintage clothing purists say that clothes should have lasting value beyond the times they were created. While a zoot suit may have defined a specific moment in the 1940s, it may not look like a true vintage item due to its trendiness and short period of popularity. Vintage clothing tends to hold up well even when removed from the context of its original era.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
