VINTAGE, retro, rockabilly, mod – there are so many terms that fly around in the world of vintage fashion.

It’s sometimes frustrating for me as a collector and dealer when these terms are misused or misrepresented.

So to make things a little clearer I have compiled a vintage related glossary that should see you through it all.

l Vintage clothing – there are several schools of thought here and many people think of vintage as just clothing from the 20s, 30s and 40s.

If you ask three different dealers you may get three different answers but the true definition of vintage clothing is any item of clothing over 25 years old.

So don’t dismiss clothes from the 70s, 80s and 90s as yes, they are vintage too; but brand new modern clothes are never true vintage – remember this, too.

  • Retro clothing – the word retro is short for retrospective so retro items are those that are in the style of times gone by.

Therefore a brand new modern t-shirt that has a 1980s slogan on it is retro as it takes it’s inspiration from the past.

  • Reproduction clothing – often shortened to “repro”, these garments are newly made but imitate iconic clothing styles of the past. The most popular types of repro clothing are from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

We have lots of amazing reproduction clothes at My Vintage, and they also run up to a size 26 giving lots more options for all shapes and sizes.

  • Antique – an antique item is collectable or desirable due to its age and its value is dependent on rarity, condition, provenance, beauty and utility.

Again there are several ideas about what is or isn’t classed as antique but as a general rule of thumb, an antique object is at least 90 years old.

  • Kitsch – if something is kitsch it’s basically so bad it’s good. Considered bad taste, kitsch items are garish and tacky but often in a cool, ironic kind of way. Kitsch tends to be mass produced, melodramatic and gaudy. Personally, I love it.
  • Rockabilly – Rockabilly music is rock and roll and country, originating in late 50s America. When it comes to clothing, the rockabilly look is bold American 50’s style with lots of denim, gingham, bandannas and tattoo prints.

The rockabilly look is really fun to try and can be easily achieved with a few key pieces. Key colour combination is red and black and if you’re looking to dip your toe in the water why not come and see me?

  • Mod – the mods were a cultural group of the 1960s, opposed to the rockers and renowned for their clean cut modern dressing. Mod clothing is very distinctive with mini skirts, scooter dresses and colour blocking for the girls and slim cut trousers, dapper shirts and pea-coats for the boys. The mod look is another of my absolute favourites!
  • Flapper – after the first world war the flapper girl emerged with her short bobbed hair, fringed dress, long strands of beads and cloche hat.

She was quite controversial and eyebrows and hemlines were raised! If you watch Downton Abbey, this is the kind of look that Rose wishes she could wear at those jazz clubs in London.

  • Hippy – The original hippies were the peace sharing, free loving movement of the 1960s. The hippy look is full of lose fitting ethnic styles, natural fabrics, peasant blouses, maxi skirts and flowers in the hair. Psychedelic and tie dye prints are a must.
  • Disco - the disco clothing movement was born in the mid seventies following the infamous Saturday Night Fever. Think Bell bottom trousers, spandex, polyester jumpsuits, hotpants and leotards plus lots and lots of sequins.

All teamed with big hair and bright palette make up complete with the birth of the ultra glossy lips.

  • New Romantic – this was a short lived fashion movement of the eighties, heavily influenced by the mythical fantasy films of the time. Pop bands dressed in fancy clothes, played synthesised music and sang about love and heartbreak against glamorous backdrops.

There are many more terms but that little lot should keep you going for a while.

And don’t forget to come and see me in the shop, you never know what treasures you might find...

Emma Brown is the owner of My Vintage, The Circus, Darwen
Telephone: 01254 774701  Website: www.myvintage.co.uk