Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Retro vs. Vintage ~ What Exactly is the Difference?



   

As a proud member of the Retro Handmade Team on Etsy, I have decided to write a post that clarifies (hopefully) the difference between vintage and retro items that are for sale on etsy. To qualify as "vintage" (according to etsy), items must be at least twenty years old (made before 1989) and must be listed in the vintage category. The word vintage comes from wine terminology, and is a much more elegant-sounding term than "old". Vintage items can be new or used but because of their age are usually used! They become "antiques" when they are at least 100 years old.

Retro, short for retrospective, refers to contemporary, newly-made items that imitate the style of a previous era.

The Retro Handmade Team sellers create new items that resemble items from the past, are often described as "funky" and having a vintage "feel" or "vibe." Some team members actually use vintage materials such as beads or fabric in their designs.

For more information about the Retro Handmade Team, visit the Retro Handmade blog.

(Originally Posted by Suzanne of Threepeats on her Threepeats Jewelry blog on June 1, 2009.)

1 comment:

2SewRetro said...

Thank you so much for writing this post! Although I use these terms often, I was never sure what the technical difference was. :)

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