Hey all! I’ve been noticing that when I browse the Vintage goodies, there are lots of things that are being called vintage, but are from say, Hollister. While I think it’s totally fine to describe something as vintage-ish within the description, categorizing things are vintage that are not is a bit frustrating for those who desire genuine vintage items. I don’t want to sound pretentious, I’m just going for authenticity, folks!

Vintage means originating in a previous era… and the 90’s and early 2000’s definitely don’t count. ;)

Cheers, Heather

SANTA MONICA, CA

I fully agree. Vintage should relate to many years ago and not the present.

NewDelhi, Delhi

agreed, i would say vintage is 20yrs or more older

Austin, TX

20 yrs and older is right :) LOL

Blanco, TX

If there is something that is made to look vintage, I think its okay for people to post “vintage style” .. but then again i dont search for vintage things so I guess my opinion doesnt really matter lol.. Hope u find what ur looking for

Admittedly, this is a pet peeve of mine too as I’m an avid vintage collector. Would having a category labeled “vintage-ish” solve this a bit? There are so many stores now that have vintage-inspired looks and dare (the nerve!) call them “vintage” that I can see how some people get slightly confused and think of it as a style rather than what it really is.

My rule of thumb, generally: I think of anything from late 70’s-80’s as retro, then vintage is pretty much anything between 1900-1970s… Anything before that is an antique (or antebellum if it’s American, post-Independence pre-Civil War, think Scarlett O’Hara’s stuff…)

San Francisco, CA

First, a side note- The phrase “rule of thumb” is derived from the old law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick that was no wider than their thumb. So, you know… not a fun phrase to hear.

In terms of this topic- I think a “Vintage Inspired” section would be fine, but maybe unnecessary. I believe the problem is around an item being put into the “Vintage” section that is not vintage. Calling it vintage-ish or vintage-inspired within a description is totally legit. It’s so often coming across items that have been miscategorized that is a bummer.

I agree with you, Anayma, about how you term things retro or vintage. So, we could add a Retro section to boot and get things super confused! ;)

SANTA MONICA, CA

The phrase â??rule of thumbâ? is derived from the old law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick that was no wider than their thumb. So, you knowâ?¦ not a fun phrase to hear.

Chivalry is dead.

BISCAYNE PARK, FL

Gah! I knew the phrase stood for some sort of measurement but I had no idea that’s where tha phrase came from. Eww! Ugh!

Hmmm I could’ve sworn we already had a “retro” section… Good pointing it out, Heather, let’s confuse the hell out of everyone! =P

No, but really, I’d love having a “retro” and a “vintage inspired” section, but I’m thinking it would probably be incredibly annoying for those of you who actually know the difference. We’d likely have people posting American Apparel leggings in “Retro” because it “looks 80s”...hmmm what to do what to do…

San Francisco, CA

Weren’t they going to change it to “rule of wrist” (anybody, anybody?) And 200-400 years later it’s lost all those negative connotations in it’s use in modern lexicon

Germantown, MD