What is Vintage?

According to Merriam Webster, vintage means:

1: of wine: of, relating to, or produced in a particular vintage

2: of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : CLASSIC

3: a: dating from the past : OLD 3: b: OUTMODED, OLD-FASHIONED

4: of the best and most characteristic —used with a proper noun

Clearly, vintage can mean many things. When it comes to tangible things, it is generally accepted that vintage items are those that are at least 25 years old. So in 2019, were talking about the mid-1990s and older. And now I officially feel old. When we think of the word vintage, I suspect some of the first images that come to mind are bell bottoms, wood paneled walls, and orange shag carpet. While those are all wonderful things (yes, even orange shag carpet!), vintage is so much more than an adjective.

Vintage is… personality.

In a world of mass produced shirts, sofas, and cars, it’s nice to own something that is a little different. Something to set you apart. Because our modus operandi is buy, toss, buy again, vintage things are more rare. Most things were trashed long ago, so when you wear vintage clothing, you aren’t going to look like everyone else. When you decorate your home using your grandma’s old pottery collection, your rooms won’t look just like your neighbor’s rooms. That El Camino you’re rollin’ in will definitely make a statement among the many SUVs on the roads today.

Vintage is… eco-friendly.

It’s better to forgo buying newly manufactured things and keep the old ones working and out of the landfill. Vintage clothing was generally made well enough to stand the test of time. When you compare the material and construction of a 1960s dress to a $20 fast fashion dress at your local mall, you will begin to see the difference.

Let me tell you about our vacuum. It’s a 1980s/90s Eureka. It has duct tape holding the cord to the handle. It’s been serviced at least once or twice a year for the last decade. The thing is still going strong. Do I want a Roomba? You betcha! So why wouldn’t we just get rid of a perfectly good piece of dust-busting equipment? Because using what we already have will help preserve the environment for future generations.

Vintage is… love.

Caring for an object and maintaining it long term teaches us how to show love and appreciation. I honestly believe this is a skill that translates to how we interact with other humans. In this world of abundance and short-lived fads, it’s so easy to discard something that breaks, shows age, or goes out of fashion. Let’s consider this, again, using my vacuum as an example.

Once upon a time, if your vacuum (relationship) quit working, you’d take it to a vacuum repair shop (couples counseling). They’d replace a part (give you tools to help you relate to each other again) and you’d be back to cleaning (having a healthier relationship). Nowadays, it’s so hard to slow down and try to fix things (work, activities, social media, and other life distractions), that it’s easier and sometimes cheaper to just toss out the old vac and buy a new one (breakup). See what I did there?

Vintage is… a lifestyle.

You don’t have to dress like Twiggy every day or live in a 1972 Sears catalog living room to fully appreciate the beauty of bygone eras. You can spend time carefully curating a wardrobe and home that showcases your unique perspective. A great way to incorporate vintage clothing into your modern wardrobe, is by adding one standout item to an otherwise standard ensemble. Vintage accessories are perfect for tip-toeing into this lifestyle. Jewelry and silk scarves are especially easy to work into your existing closet.

Check out this Pinterest board for style inspiration: https://www.pinterest.com/OKEclectic/style/

When decorating your home, keep the expensive parts neutral (wood floors, timeless furniture and window coverings), but look for small vintage accents to bring personality into your room. I particularly love 1970s ceramics and colorful crewel work. You might adore 1980s Memphis design and mid-century Danish furniture. The possibilities are endless. The fun thing about decorating this way is that it takes time. By slowing the process down, and building a collection of things that fit your personality, you aren’t going to waste money buying a room full of trendy decor items that you’ll want to change out in a few months.

Check out this Pinterest board for eclectic home decor inspiration: https://www.pinterest.com/OKEclectic/home/

In summary…

Life is short. Appreciate stuff that has character, make time for your loved ones, and be good to Mother Earth. And definitely have fun in the process. To quote one of the greatest philosophers of our time:

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller

Top image courtesy of https://www.pexels.com/@suzyhazelwood