Vintage (look & goods)
Also known as: vintage look, retro
Two meanings: genuine second-hand goods from a defined earlier era (at least 20 years old) or newly produced items styled to look old through targeted washing and finishing.
Description
The term vintage originally comes from winemaking ("vintage year") and in textiles refers to two very different concepts. Strictly speaking vintage means genuine second-hand items from a defined earlier fashion era - typically at least 20 years old, often from the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s. Such goods are sold at flea markets, in specialised second-hand shops or in curated online stores and thrive on originality, rarity and provenance.
The far more common usage refers to the vintage look: newly produced textiles styled to look old through targeted processes. Techniques include stone washing, enzyme washing, reactive dyeing with subsequent bleaching, used-look prints, deliberate holes, frayed edges and roughened surfaces. The aim is a well-loved appearance without genuine ageing.
In B2B trade "vintage" often serves as a colour modifier: T-shirts in muted, slightly washed-out shades (vintage white, washed denim, faded black). For end customers the two meanings should be distinguished - true vintage is a sustainability story, vintage look is pure aesthetics.
Properties
| Issuer | Not a label - trade and fashion term |
|---|---|
| Scope | Genuine second-hand goods or deliberately aged-looking new goods |
| Label | Vintage white, faded black, washed denim, retro prints |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Vintage clothing Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vintage_clothing
- Wikipedia: Stone washing Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_washing
