What Are Old Clothes Called? Common Terms for Worn-Out Fashion

Ever pulled a faded jacket out of the back of your closet and wondered, what do you actually call this thing? You don’t mean ‘jacket’-that’s what it was when it was new. You mean the thing with the frayed cuffs, the patched elbow, the zipper that only works if you tug just right. It’s got history. It’s got character. But what’s the right word for it?

It’s Not Just ‘Old Clothes’

People say ‘old clothes’ all the time, but that’s not a real category. It’s a description, not a label. In fashion, clothing that’s been worn, repaired, or passed down has a whole vocabulary of its own. And it’s not just about being used-it’s about how it’s been treated, where it came from, and what it’s become.

Take that denim jacket you’ve had since college. The sleeves are rolled up from years of wear. The collar’s softened from sweat and wind. You’ve stitched the pocket back on twice. That’s not ‘old.’ That’s vintage-if it’s from the 1980s or earlier. Vintage means it’s at least 20 years old and carries the style of its era. It’s not just worn-it’s a time capsule.

If it’s from the 1990s or 2000s? That’s retro. Retro isn’t about age alone-it’s about style revival. You wear it because it looks like something from the past, even if it’s brand new. But if it’s real, worn-in, and you found it in a thrift store? That’s secondhand. Simple. Direct. No nostalgia required.

Thrifted, Used, Pre-Owned-What’s the Difference?

You hear these words thrown around a lot, especially on social media. But they don’t mean the same thing.

• Thrifted means it came from a charity shop, resale store, or flea market. It implies intentionality-you chose it because it was cheap, unique, or sustainable.
• Used is the most neutral term. It just means someone else owned it before you. No judgment. No story. Just facts.
• Pre-owned is the corporate version of ‘used.’ You’ll see it on luxury resale sites like The RealReal or Vestiaire Collective. It sounds more elegant, like the item still has value-even if it’s covered in coffee stains.

Here’s the thing: if you bought a 2008 North Face jacket from a garage sale, it’s thrifted, used, and possibly vintage. But calling it ‘pre-owned’ makes it sound like you just bought a used car from a dealership. Different vibe.

What About ‘Worn-In’ or ‘Well-Loved’?

Some people avoid saying ‘old’ because it sounds broken. So they say ‘well-loved.’ That’s sweet. But it’s not a technical term. It’s emotional language.

‘Worn-in’ is better. It describes the physical result of long-term use. A leather jacket that bends perfectly at the shoulders. Jeans that form to your hips after a hundred washes. That’s not damage-it’s adaptation. The garment changed shape because you changed how you moved in it. That’s craftsmanship you can’t buy new.

In Japan, they have a word for this: boro. It refers to textiles patched and repaired over generations. Boro isn’t about being old-it’s about respect. Each stitch tells a story. A worn-out jacket isn’t trash. It’s a record of life.

When Does ‘Old’ Become ‘Vintage’?

There’s no official law, but fashion historians and resellers agree: vintage starts at 20 years. So anything made before 2005 qualifies. But here’s the twist: not every 20-year-old jacket is vintage.

Think of it this way: a plain black cotton jacket from 2003? Probably just used. A 1987 Carhartt work jacket with the original label, reinforced stitching, and a faded logo? That’s vintage. The difference is in the details-the brand, the cut, the materials, the way it was made.

Manufacturing changed in the late 90s. Before then, clothes were built to last. Zippers were metal. Buttons were sewn on with double stitching. Seams were French-felled. Now? Most jackets are glued, stitched with single threads, and made with polyester blends that pill after three washes.

That’s why a 1995 Levi’s denim jacket holds more value than a 2020 H&M version-even if both are worn. It’s not the age. It’s the construction.

What Do You Call a Jacket That’s Too Damaged to Wear?

Sometimes the jacket doesn’t just get old-it falls apart. The sleeves tear. The lining comes loose. The zipper breaks for good. What then?

You might call it deadstock-but that’s wrong. Deadstock means unused inventory that never sold. If it’s torn, it’s not deadstock. It’s salvageable.

People in repair communities call these ‘project pieces.’ They’re not trash. They’re raw material. A jacket with a broken zipper but perfect fabric? That’s a candidate for repurposing. The fabric might become a bag. The buttons could go on a new coat. The lining might be turned into a patchwork quilt.

In Wellington, where rain is constant and wool is king, you’ll see people turning old jackets into dog coats, cushion covers, or even insulation for garden sheds. It’s not waste. It’s resourcefulness.

Why Does the Name Matter?

Calling something ‘old clothes’ makes it sound disposable. Calling it ‘vintage’ or ‘thrifted’ gives it worth. Language shapes how we treat things.

If you call your jacket ‘well-loved,’ you’re more likely to mend it. If you call it ‘used,’ you might toss it. That’s psychology. And it’s why the fashion industry pushes terms like ‘pre-owned’ and ‘sustainable.’ They’re not just marketing-they’re cultural shifts.

When you buy a jacket labeled ‘vintage,’ you’re not just buying fabric. You’re buying a piece of history. You’re buying a story that someone else lived. And when you wear it, you add your own chapter.

What’s the Right Term for Your Jacket?

Here’s a quick guide:

• 20+ years old + original style + good condition → vintage
• 10-20 years old + recognizable brand → retro
• Any age, bought from a thrift store → thrifted
• Any age, owned by someone else before you → used
• Worn soft, shaped to your body, repaired → worn-in
• Too damaged to wear but fabric still usable → salvageable
• Never worn, sitting in storage → deadstock

Don’t force a label if it doesn’t fit. Sometimes, your jacket is just your jacket. But knowing the right word helps you talk about it-and care for it-better.

What to Do With Old Jackets

If you’ve got one gathering dust:

• Mend it. Learn to sew on a button or replace a zipper. YouTube has free tutorials.
• Donate it. Thrift stores like Salvation Army or Savers take everything-even ripped ones. They sell usable parts or recycle the rest.
• Upcycle it. Turn it into a tote bag, a pet bed, or wall art.
• Sell it. Platforms like Depop, Poshmark, or local Facebook groups love vintage workwear.
• Compost it. If it’s 100% natural fiber (cotton, wool, linen) and has no synthetic lining, cut it up and toss it in the compost bin.

Don’t just throw it away. Even broken clothes have a second life.