Yes, I mean Vintage not Village People: People today talk a lot about vintage or limited edition (a story for another time). But what does it mean to have a vintage item? What does it mean to be a vintage person?

What Is Vintage? Vintage items are much younger than antiques. These pieces are typically defined as being at least 20 years old but less than 100 years old. The term true vintage is a sub-category for items that are at least 50 years old. The true vintage item has developed a cultural or nostalgic significance. It reflects the styles and trends of a period from which it originated. You may also hear someone calling a vibe or item Retro. Sometimes this means it isn’t necessarily a vintage item but is vintage inspired.

Antique items are usually older than 100 years, so it may refer to the Victorian era, for example. Vintage items also reflect past eras, but they only highlight the fashion, design, and cultural trends of more recent decades.

I am writing about this because it came up in a conversation the other day and of course I decided to explore it. I started thinking about what my era was during my primary and teenage years. While I was born in the 1950’s, I didn’t identify with the clothing, cultural significance of finding a man and getting married, and especially the music. I identified with a lot of the 1960’s movement, culture, music, and even clothing. But then in the 1970’s, I charged ahead and re-created myself once again, mainly because I went off to college and was re-designing myself into who I thought I should be. I still loved all the music, including disco and dancing, and the clothing (definitely more comfortable) and the joy of what we thought was freedom. However, in the 1980’s I became part of the man and changed my image once again. I wasn’t vintage in my thoughts or actions. I wanted to be a part of that community, which was very conservative, and women had to prove themselves in that world. I embraced the new computer age, the big shoulder pads and suit dresses, big hair, smart heels, a briefcase, and flew off with my colleagues to Washington, D.C. with the best of them. I wanted to fit into that era. I wanted to be a part of change. However, when I was off duty, I danced in discos and heavy metal bars and tried to keep my identity. I wasn’t totally designed to be the person in that particular box. I was the outlier trying to make change in a world that wasn’t moving forward as fast as I thought it should. The 1990’s and 2000’s brought contrasting times, work ethics that were changing, new friends and a new family, so I morphed once again into that era. I had to begin re-thinking who I was becoming and continue to grow. So, yes, I’m vintage now, and hope to become antique in the future. But, only in body, not in mind!

Today, these new generations are trying to reconcile the past and present in themselves. I get the conversations started and get them to talk about where they think they’ll be in the future, especially when they become vintage to the newer generations. I hope that I have made a small impact on their lives as they have definitely made an impact on mine. I encourage them to read about the past so they can be a part of a better future. When you read history, civics, and science fiction, you get an understanding of what we are trying to become, and what we want to leave for our civilization (an intact one, of course, but also a better world).

So, when you finally decide to reconcile your past with your present, and become content, decide what you can do next. First ask yourself these questions: What is your era? How are you designed? Can you become more tolerant and patient with others who aren’t like you? Am I vintage or am I an antique? I want to be considered vintage and am continuing to look for new ways to express that attitude and design.

For more information on vintage versus antique (items, not necessarily people) go to Martha Stewart’s website and read this article. Fun read!
https://www.marthastewart.com/7618577/difference-between-antique-vintage-explained

Today I am asking you to celebrate all things (and people) vintage. Recognize the fact that we are not antiques yet! Create that village where all the people live together in harmony. And ask yourself one more question: What village are you from? (No, just kidding….Or am I?)

I love you all and hope the new year brings goodness and hope!