What is the difference between something that is vintage and something that is antique?

Answer 1

The terms can be used for any toy no longer made. Neither are technical terms, so you can't find any agreement in how old a toy is before it becomes an antique. For general usage in the US, an antique usually refers to something old enough that it has a reliable, often historical value and has not been available for many years. Something vintage need not have a reliable value and generally refers to a usable, older item.

Some "Mod" style clothing from the 1960s is valuable and collectible. It's normally described as vintage clothing.

Flapper dresses from the 1920s are valuable, collectible and historically significant. They are normally referred to as antiques.

Answer 2

A true antique is generally considered to be 100 years of age or older (although there are some exceptions - for example, automobiles). There are however other determining factors - design, desirability, craftsmanship and construction are all determining factors when separating antiques from junk - just because it's old does not make it an antique - it just makes it old.

Answer 3

Something that is antique is relly old, and vintage is something that is old but not to old, but maybe still in style.