Wednesday 19 November 2014

Antique, vintage and classic.

These are descriptive words which should help us define the sale of used and old goods.  It is difficult to use them correctly when the word 'vintage' is now often used to describe things that are little more than second- hand goods and clothes.  We are used to 'vintage' fashion, jewellery, wine and motor cars in auction catalogues and presume that things on sale are at least 50 years old - certainly not from the 80s and 90s. While there are certain excellent vintage fairs taking place in increasing numbers, which have high standards and discerning clients;  there is a rash of other 'vintage style' (whatever that means) events and these do not enhance the reputation of genuine vintage stuff. Can we think of a new descriptive name which will cover 'old but good' without spoiling the description of vintage; what do you think? Do you have a problem in other English speaking countries ?

1 comment:

  1. It's the same in North America. People are using "vintage" to describe items from the 70s and 80s, whereas to me it's more like 40s and 50s. It's misleading and annoying.

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