Know the difference: retro vs. vintage vs. antique
Welcome to “Know the Difference,” where we clarify commonly confused words, concepts, and ideas to help you distinguish between them. For the first article, we will talk about the difference between retro, antique and vintage.
When visiting a secondhand store, you have likely heard of some terms, such as retro, antique and vintage, to describe items for sale. These three terms are commonly used in the world of secondhand shopping.
As a result, these three terms can often be confused with one another.
The key difference between these terms, particularly vintage and antique, lies in its actual age of the item and whether it is truly old or designed to look old.
Vintage, antique, and retro each possess distinct style characteristics and encompass different items and eras.
Antique refers to an item that was made at least 100 years ago, according to customs of the time. In other words, for an item to be considered an antique in 2026, it must have been made in 1925 or earlier. Examples of antiques include a Chippendale style stool from the 1900s and mid-19th century imperial jewelry from the Habsburg dynasty.
It is agreed upon that vintage refers to an authentic item that is approximately between 20 to 90 years old. For example, items that are considered vintage include an original 1950s Dior dress or a 1990s Nintendo Game Boy.
When something is retro, it has nothing to do with the age of the item. It simply means an item is designed to feel and/or appear old. In other words, retro items are designed to resemble vintage or antique products. Retro items are typically made within the last 15 years and imitate a style from the past. A modern Polaroid camera designed to look like those from the 1980s is a great example of a retro item.
Retro items are often more affordable than vintage ones, making them an excellent choice for someone who wants a vintage look without having to spend too much money. In addition, vintage and retro items are easier to combine, even if only one is genuinely vintage.
Although antique and retro originate from two distinct time periods, they can complement each other the same way vintage and antique items do.
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