Vintage something to be “of high-quality and lasting value, or showing the best and most typical characteristics of a particular type of thing, especially from the past,” and also an object or item that’s “used but of good quality." items over 50 years old but less than 100 years old can be called vintage or collectable, but not antique. Old, but not that old. Typically, the term retro is given to items which are at least 20 years old (but not yet 40 years old.