The definition of the term 'vintage' is open to much interpretation. It's a relatively new term with sellers not yet establishing what it is that exactly defines vintage from antique, retro and plain old secondhand. Many consumers use the word 'vintage' as a term to describe anything old, even applying it to a garment that's just a couple of seasons old! For clarification purposes, Catwalk Creative Vintage categorises 'old clothing' as the following:
Antique: garments that pre-date 1920 or the Belle Epoque era.
Vintage: anything that dates after 1920 and up to the early 1990s.
Retro: Sixties and Seventies casual wear.
Secondhand: anything post the early 1990s - not strictly 'vintage' clothing.
Catwalk Creative Vintage is a proud member of the Vintage Fashion Guild (VFG).

Antique: garments that pre-date 1920 or the Belle Epoque era.
Vintage: anything that dates after 1920 and up to the early 1990s.
Retro: Sixties and Seventies casual wear.
Secondhand: anything post the early 1990s - not strictly 'vintage' clothing.
If you can't remember any of the above, just remember that anything less than twenty years old is NOT genuine vintage.
Guide created: 12/02/09 (updated 07/02/12)



Thank you for voting. If your vote meets our 