Is Vintage The Same As Second Hand?
Is vintage considered the same as second hand? The answer is yes; but no! A bit confusing isn't it?
When shopping at a store where vintage clothing is sold; garments will date from the 1920's through the 1970's. Any garments older than the 1920's are considered to be antique clothing not vintage. The garments from the 1980's and 1990's are considered, "retro," a shortened form of "retrospective," defined as,"looking back." This era of clothing, also, is often sold in the vintage stores. The clothing being sold retail, as vintage in a store, was probably purchased originally from estate sales, auction barns, flea markets, or from private parties needing extra room in their closets. You will occasionally find new items at a vintage shop that are not likely to be found in second hand stores. These items were possibly purchased from old warehouse inventories. These new items will bring a higher price than used garments, and if the original tags are intact, even higher prices can be charged. Vintage usually means selling to clientele having average, or above average, clothing budgets. Willing to spend their budget money on brand name vintage clothing, for work, play, parties, or weddings, also leaves them with a self-satisfied feeling of owning a top-of-the-line-wardrobe.
When shopping at a second hand store, or thrift store as they are sometimes called in the United States, the clothing being sold is usually clean, gently used, with no, or few holes and rips. However, unlike vintage clothing, this clothing is from a much newer era,with more modern styling. The biggest difference between vintage and second hand clothing is: Second hand clothing is donated to the store by supporters. Money collected from sales is donated, or at least a portion of it, to the poor and needy: These are the non-profit stores. Thrift stores, another type of second hand store, are usually owned by private parties in business to make a profit. They purchase their goods for retail sales from garage and yard sales, flea markets, auctions, or private parties, at a greatly discounted price. However, they would probably not refuse a few donations. These items are then sold with a slight mark-up, making the seller a small profit.