What Makes Something Vintage?

Vintage items are extremely popular. Many people are in search of vintage items and clothing.  The term vintage is used to indicate that something is not new. Vintage items can be made of a variety of materials that were available during a particular time period. A vintage item is usually used; however, it can still be new in original packaging and still be vintage. A vintage item is one that comes from a previous era.

Are Vintage Items Antiques?

While the term “vintage” typically means that an item is old, an item does not need to be “antique” to be vintage. Customarily, the term antique only applies to an object that is at least 100 years old. Therefore, most items that you will come upon regularly are technically vintage rather than antiques. That doesn’t mean that these items aren’t valuable or collectible. Vintage items can be quite sought after and are often collectible.

What are Retro Items?

While vintage items are authentically old, retro items are usually those that are made more recently and appear similar to old items. Retro or kitsch pieces are generally considered to be similar to vintage but are manufactured more recently. If you are shopping for a specific look without caring about the actual age, consider buying a retro object. These are usually produced using new materials. If a vintage product was made with bakelite, a similar retro piece may be made with plastic.

How to Identify Vintage Items

There are a few ways to identify vintage items. Examine an item to try to determine its age. A vintage object will show some wear, especially along places where people often picked it up or touched it. Glassware may show signs of use or may have slight staining.

Look at the bottom of the piece to see if there are any markings. This is especially helpful in dating dinnerware and glassware. Check the object for damage. Small chips or cracks may be acceptable for those who collect rare items.

Review glassware for seams. Seams were more common in older pieces, while new manufacturing methods reduced the look of seams. Consider the weight of the piece. Vintage pieces of cut glass are quite heavy as compared to a more recent piece that is typically lighter.

Shopping for Vintage Pieces

Browsing vintage pieces can be a fun way to spend the afternoon. It is easy to find vintage pieces when you shop in a store that specializes in estate liquidations, such as Dishfunctional. We gather unique and interesting items of all types from various sources to bring you a new and exciting array of objects. We carry a wide variety of items as our inventory is constantly changing.  Stop in on a regular basis and bring your family & friends for an enjoyable day of browsing our amazing ever changing inventory. Visit Dishfunctional, located in the Lincoln Court Shopping Center, 225 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA, 19355, call us at (484) 328-8401, or email us at dishfun1@gmail.com.