Would you like to learn the difference between retro, vintage and antique? Read on and take note because even though these words are used synonymously, they are not.
We use the terms retro, vintage and antique endlessly but have you stopped to see if you really use them correctly? You are likely to be as confused as most people. So, keep reading, you will solve the mystery and you will seem like a connoisseur of deco issues .
Although the three words refer to objects whose aesthetics are from the past, they do not have the same meaning. In fact, the correct term relates to the year in which they were created.
The differences between retro, vintage and antique
Surely you’ve ever said that you love vintage clothing , that the piece of furniture your friend bought is a bit retro, or that you can find antiques at the flea market , right? However, there are certain nuances that differentiate these three terms that although they may seem synonymous, they are not.
Did you know that the date of manufacture of the objects is what makes the difference between retro, vintage and antique? Below you will find all the differences.
What are antiques?
For an antique dealer to classify a work of art, furniture or decorative object as antique, it must be between 50 and 100 years old from its manufacture. However, this can be somewhat subjective.
In addition to your age, other factors are involved. For example, if it is handmade, how well preserved is it, if it is a piece of furniture with some uniqueness, if there are few elements like that.
In the end, it is about the object in question becoming a desired collector’s item. This also gives it that characteristic antiquity character.
In another area, there are technological items that can be considered a true relic if they were developed in the 60s, 70s or 80s so, as you can see, it is very relative.
What is vintage ?
For a piece to be considered vintage it has to meet two basic premises. On the one hand, it must have been manufactured at least 20 years ago and, on the other hand, it must be a representative object of its time. With this, it is clear that not everything is vintage and that right now you will be realizing that you have been misusing the term for years.
Remember that for an object to be considered vintage, it is not enough for it to appear from the past, it has to be made in the past. As an example, think of that trunk that you took from your grandmother’s house, or that characteristic furniture from the 50s.
And then … what is retro?
The next term is retro and you will see that this is much easier to distinguish. It refers to all those decorative objects or furniture that are manufactured today but imitating the style or lines of the trends of the past.
Regarding the appearance, both the retro and the vintage take you to another time, but only the second is original of its time. For its part, something retro is an article inspired by a decorating style prior to its manufacturing date and reinterpreted.
To make it a bit clearer, Smeg appliances that take you back to the 50s are retro and super trendy. Do you know which ones they are?
Another example is the Scandinavian furniture that you find in IKEA, Many of them are made of wood, with straight and simple lines, very practical and they look a lot like the Mid Century style , but they are not.
Surely it has already been clearer to you and you will be able to differentiate very well each of the terms. From now on, when you see an antique piece of furniture, you will know that it can have a great value due to the historical weight it has, the quality of its materials and because, probably, it is unique or there are very few.
As for retro and vintage , the question is quite clear and it will help you to know if it is an original piece or just a decorative piece inspired by the past. And remember, with clothes or other objects the same rule applies.