Vintage is an umbrella term used to describe items and styles originating from a previous era, valued for their authenticity and historical connection. As an aesthetic concept, it focuses on the integration of genuine objects, fashion, and styles from the past into contemporary life. A key distinction is made between vintage, Antique , and Retro : an item is typically considered vintage if it is between 20 and 100 years old. Items over 100 years old are classified as antique, while retro refers to new items made to imitate a past style. The core of the vintage aesthetic is the object's genuine origin in a specific historical period.

The scope of vintage is broad, encompassing fashion, interior design, technology, and media. In fashion, this can mean wearing original clothing from the 1970s, while in decor it may involve furnishing a space with authentic mid-century modern pieces. The aesthetic also shows a preference for analog technology, such as listening to music on vinyl records, using film cameras, or typing on mechanical typewriters. It celebrates the quality craftsmanship, durability, and unique character that older items possess, often showcasing signs of age like patina or fading as desirable features. Overall, Vintage is not tied to one specific look but is rather a practice of curating and using authentic pieces from various decades, allowing people to connect with a tangible piece of the past.

The term "vintage" originates from the Anglo-Norman word vendage , which was adapted from the Old French vendange , meaning "grape harvest." This term traces its roots to the Latin word vindemia , a combination of vinum ("wine") and demere ("to remove"). Initially, "vintage" was used specifically within winemaking to refer to the year a particular wine was made. By the late 19th century, its definition had expanded to denote the age of an object. The word was later adopted more broadly to describe items from a past era, especially in fashion, art, and design, implying a sense of quality and enduring style associated with that period.