Post #314215 by DJ Terence Gunn on Thu, Jun 21, 2007 8:39 PM

I get very annoyed when I see folks describing certain items that are definitely not vintage, as being vintage. Vintage basically means a classic, distinctive and distinguishable aged style, not merely 'from the past' or based on a style from the past.

As far as Retro Vs. vintage, there are large-collared polyester shirts manufactured today that resemble those (to a certain extent) of the late 1960s-1970s. This would be an example of Retro, but not vintage. One would be mistaken to even say vintage-styled. But basically retro (retrospective) means 'to look, or go, back'.

Another example would be my hair: pompadoured, often with sideburns. This is Retro. My suits and shirts are largely from the 1950s & 1960s. They distinctive of both eras and are vintage.

As far as 20 years back or 25 years, who knows? I would say potentially vintage items must be at least two decades old. But a few more decades than that would certainly be antique.

The term 'Oldies' is another subjective definition. Having graduated high school in 1985 I find it difficult to think of early to mid-1980s music as being classified as 'Oldies' -- as 'Oldies' back then were largely 1950s & '60s. However, early to mid-1980s music is, in fact, now in the 'Oldies' category. I think 'Oldies' is -- like vintage -- another 2 or more decades old classification. But to call an '80s group like The Stray Cats vintage '80s music would be incorrect, as The Stray Cats and their sound (and look) was Retro.

[ Edited by: DJ Terence Gunn 2007-06-21 20:53 ]