I often get asked ‘why is this item vintage, and not an antique’ or ‘how old does an item have to be, to be considered an antique’.
The general rule to go by is the age of the item. A vintage item is something that was made around 30 years ago from the current date. (Although some are terming ‘new vintage’ for items that are about 20 years old).
Retro items are generally considered things from the 60’s and 70’s. Things a lot of us grew up with like Slinky’s, lava lamps, or those drinking birds that every second house had on their mantel, are definitely retro.
The term ‘mid century’, is exactly that. Items from the 50’s and sometimes the early 60’s. That sleek, Danish style furniture. Things that have clean, sweeping lines, and were considered very modern, and minimalistic in their day.
And a true antique, is generally something that is the ripe old age of 100.