What is vintage?

The current rage over old clothing, housewares, video games and collectibles begs the question: What is vintage?

The owners of several local vintage stores say there are agreed upon industry definitions of what is vintage and what is thrifted, although the word “thrift” appears in some vintage store names. They note that vintage has a very specific meaning in the fashion and collectibles world. Surprisingly, anything 20 years old or older is considered vintage. This means your favorite pair of jeans and threadbare college sweatshirt may have more value than just weekend comfort. True vintage denotes items 30 years old or older. Antique items must be at least 100 years old.

Vintage stores carry carefully curated items that generally are presented for sale in organized ways, resembling retail outlets selling new merchandise. Vintage stores generally are for-profit. Thrift stores most often are operated by non-profit organizations and generally are a mishmash of clothing, furniture, household goods, books and jewelry.

Vintage merchandise may be more expensive than thrift store items, partially because of the effort required to procure quality products and clean and present the merchandise in an attractive way. Vintage store owners often specialize in a specific era of clothing or collectibles, but most also have an array of time periods and products represented.

Some vintage store owners find merchandise at thrift stores and garage or estate sales, but they also happily purchase items that people bring into the store if it fits their business model. Most also have established relationships with other vintage dealers in the state and even across the country. Some have regular 40-hour-a-week jobs to support their vintage habits, while others are trying to make a go with just their stores.

Intrigued? Let’s go shopping!

Arondite Vintage

619 Columbia St., Lafayette

Generally open Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.

Follow arondite.vintage on Facebook and Instagram for current hours and specials. The shop will close April 30, but curated collections of Arondite clothing can be found online and at several downtown stores. Look for a collection of ‘90s and Y2K clothing, high-quality and natural fiber items and jewelry inside Urban Huntress at 525 Main St. Also, a collection of more retro/groovy/ kitschy vintage will be in the back mezzanine of McCord Candies. Collections also will be at shops in Indianapolis, at a booth in Sell It Here on Creasy Lane and at pop-up markets.

Rags to Riches

918 Main St., Lafayette

Generally open TuesdaySunday, noon to 8 p.m.

Follow ragsonmainvintage on Instagram for current hours and specials.

Vintage Vault

525 Wabash Ave., Lafayette Open Monday-Friday, noon to 10 p.m.

Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

Yette Thrifts

2415 Sagamore Parkway South, Lafayette, in the Tippecanoe Mall near the food court

Generally open Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.

Follow yette_thrifts_ on Instagram for current hours and specials.

Broken Glass Thrifts

516 Main St., Lafayette, on the second floor above Artists’ Own

Generally open Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Follow brokenglassthrifts on Facebook and Instagram for current hours and specials.