Vintage: what is it and where can I get it? Vintage style in clothes Vintage clothes.

In life, we often encounter the concept of "vintage", and, as it turns out, many misunderstand its meaning. So what does the word "vintage" really mean? This is what we have to figure out.

The meaning of the concept

The concept of "vintage" comes from the history of French winemaking. Previously, this was the name of fine wine, which was highly valued and insanely expensive. The term itself can be interpreted in different ways. Firstly, this was the name of the process of selecting grapes for elite varieties of wine. Secondly, the elite wine itself.

In the future, the concept of "vintage" was assigned to any exquisite and expensive thing, sometimes rare, that is, very, very rare.

The concept appeared in the middle of the 20th century, but became widespread only by the beginning of the 21st century. So, vintage is rare, refined, elite. This is the original understanding of the term. We'll get to know each other a little later.

The main characteristic of vintage

In addition to elements that relate us to the fashion of the First World War and until the end of the 90s of the XX century, the vintage style is distinguished by its particular elegance, restraint, and conciseness. Main characteristic is the age of the thing - not less than 20 years. The most valuable are copies made not by a streaming version, but in a single number, unique and unrepeatable. And better - self made. So, a different understanding of the term: vintage is unique, unique, inimitable.

In addition, the basis of a thing, its historical component, must be preserved unchanged. Vintage is not a fake, but a truly designer work of art.

Fashion and vintage

In modern fashion, trends are gaining momentum that turn us to the past in history and art. The style of "vintage" in fashion as a trend is associated with the use when creating modern models clothes - stylistic elements, details, materials, even technology that were used in the creation of clothing models in past centuries for different segments of the population. Moreover, a clear time period is determined: from 1914 to the 1990s.

You can conditionally divide the fashion of "vintage" into several directions according to their characteristic features.

Firstly, the fashion style of the 20s: furs, hats with a veil, a closed collar at the blouse, a shiny fringed dress. Materials for this direction: silk, satin, velvet, soft, plastic, flowing, emphasizing the flexibility and seductiveness of forms. Type, prototype: Marlene Dietrich.

Secondly, the fashion of the 40s: jackets and dresses with shoulders and an accentuated waist, a flared dress with a mid-calf length, small hats (sometimes with veils). The lines are simple and geometric. The severity and conciseness of the image. Reminds me of a military cut.

Model: military uniform.

Thirdly, fashionable in the 50s: bodices (often strapless), corsets, stiletto heels. The image is complemented by bright red lipstick. The main idea is the idea of ​​freedom, looseness, brightness of personality.

Fourthly, the fashion of the 60s, which creates diverse and bright images, reminiscent of dudes: bright colors are used, stable heels, simple cut dresses: flared and a-line, club blazers. The style of minimalism and conciseness.

Model: dudes.

Fifth, the style of the 70s: flared and loose-fitting trousers and jeans, shirts, stable high wedge shoes, etc. Fashion, which is akin to eclectic style. Fashion freedom of expression and self-awareness, freedom of the individual from society.

Type: hippie.

Styles cannot be mixed: all things in the image, hairstyle, makeup and accessories must belong to the same historical era. The image is completed by the internal component, when the person himself, who tried on the image, was imbued through with the aroma and feeling of the era, became in harmony with it. At the same time, a new, fresh stream, introduced into the image, is welcomed.

Vintage and jewelry

It is the refined and sometimes even eccentric details and accessories that make the model and image vintage. Especially valuable jewelry is what your mothers and grandmothers wore.

But even if you want to prove yourself as a designer in the "vintage" style, then it is not difficult to do this, or at least inexpensively.

For example, for the style of the 70s. you can make vintage jewelry yourself: learn to weave a variety of “baubles” bracelets from a garus thread, drag your head over your forehead with a woven braid in the form of a “pigtail”, “flagellum”, decorating the temples with tassels, or use a leather strap or plastic lace. You can decorate your neck with the same cord or strap. And attach a stylized "razor-blade" in the form of a keychain to it.

You can walk around flea markets - sometimes you can buy a completely unique vintage thing for very little money. You can do it yourself according to the sketches that have been preserved, and photographs in old magazines from libraries. To create vintage jewelry, modern art stores sell various elements and materials. They can be used in a variety of techniques: patina, crequelure, decoupage, helping to artificially "age" a vintage item.

Vintage art and design

A special role is given to vintage things in the design of bags and the life around us.

Bags are an important component of the image we create. The most appropriate are such models as: a reticule, a bag, a Chanel bag, a briefcase, a pear bag. They are created using a variety of different materials from past: genuine leather, textiles, velvet, silk and brocade, fur. As decoration materials: beads, large plastic and glass beads, buttons, logos, sometimes simple or complex stitching, metal lining, etc.

As for vintage in the interior, here, on the contrary, it is supposed to use a combination of things from different eras, among which there must certainly be old things, perhaps not valuable then, but made by them. good materials and reflecting the era, as well as attracting attention with their unusualness. Often "reanimated" things can be used not according to their intended purpose. So, in this case, the interior in the concept of "vintage" is an interior where elements and materials of several styles are successfully mixed.

The color of such an interior is usually restrained: muted, "dusty" colors, monochrome, lack of contrasts. The choice of materials depends on the idea: the most unthinkable combinations are possible. In general, the "image" of the environment should be a little "shaggy", but always cozy and soothing.

Vintage and art

In this case, vintage is works of arts and crafts made in the style of the historical periods indicated above, or created in those days and miraculously preserved. A special place in arts and crafts is given to vintage dolls, which have recently become a common object for collecting. They are also used for interior decoration.

Various materials are used to make vintage dolls: wood, fabric, porcelain, metal, plastic, celluloid, etc. These dolls have a special "humanity", childish naivety and sincerity. No less interesting are other vintage toys.

Now quite a lot of exhibitions are devoted to the history of toys and dolls, where you can see how they looked in different periods of the development of the toy industry in different countries. And by their authentic costumes to learn the features of the history of fashion.

Particular attention is drawn to antique clocks, table ink devices and calendars, fireplace figurines, painted dishes and samovars, as well as items in the style of folk crafts: birch bark and bast weaving, wood and stone carving, embroidery and lace, etc.

How to distinguish vintage from junk? A vintage thing is a rare, unique, unusual item that attracts attention with some kind of zest, and not just old thing created in the 20th century.

In this article, we will try to answer in detail the following question: "Vintage style - what is it?". The relevance of the topic is obvious. Modern people today very often hear the word "vintage" in various contexts. And most often its use is associated with style, fashion. Why do you need to know what kind of style - vintage?

Vintage is...

The very concept of "vintage" is an inherited term that came from winemaking and is firmly entrenched in the fashion world. It, by analogy with the aging of high-class wines, characterizes original style, prompting many eminent fashion designers to look for inspiration in retro styles.

Since the 90s of the last century, branded companies, recognized giants of the fashion world, have invariably developed the vintage style among the many areas of their work. These are Coco Chanel and GIorgio Armani, Christian Dior and Emilio Pussi, Pierre Cardin and Yves SaintLaurent. This list could go on and on...

What do they mean when they say that a person is dressed vintage? The latter denotes a commitment to hits no less than 20 years old. It's no secret that many modern women consider the images of Coco Chanel, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren worthy of imitation. These stars have not faded (and will not fade) for many years for a simple reason. They are style icons. Such was their fate.

Their things, classified as retro, have already become classics. Take a closer look, for example, at the style followed by Renata Litvinova. Does she remind you of any of the former stars outwardly? Like Marlene Dietrich?

Maybe vintage is your style

If you are by nature, then it is quite possible that it suits you. Unfortunately, at present, most people, even the wealthy, dress in consumer goods. They are harming themselves without thinking about it. After all, be that as it may, no one has canceled the principle that "they are met by clothes." This article is for those who want to express their personality more vividly. Vintage (such is its feature) allows you to realize this idea in many ways.

Which option to choose?

We popularly try to answer the naive question: "Vintage - what is it?". Usually we are talking about the styles that have dominated fashion since the second half of XIX century to the 1970s.

Today, this happy opportunity to choose "their" vintage style is used by many famous people, including the stars. For example, American actress actress and film director Drew Barrymore, famous singer Katy Perry. After all, people who are different in appearance, character, temperament, respectively, have different cuts, colors, etc.

Helping our readers to decide on the choice of preferred models, we will make brief digression in the history of fashion.

In the twenties and thirties, fashionistas followed the "Chicago style". Those were the days of Coco Chanel. It is distinguished by a low waist on dresses, boas, boas, cloche hats, a short hairstyle. In the 30s, the boyish silhouette of women's dresses, characteristic of the 20s, was replaced by a more feminine one: an elongated silhouette, draperies, elegant skirts. This is how Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, Marlene Dietrich dressed.

In the 40s, the military style became popular: shorter skirts, straight, strict jackets. However, this was the decline of fashion, it was not reflected in modern vintage looks. But already in the 50s, Dior created a very feminine new look style: a puffy wide skirt, a corset or a belt, and an elegant hat. He was followed by Audrey Hepburn.

appeared in the 60s new style pin-ups: stilettos, flirty skirts, high-waisted trousers, shorts, bermuda shorts, short tops. Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot shone in this style. In the 70s, fashion became more democratic. Disco was also popular. Miniskirts and flared jeans are in fashion. In the 80s, sexuality was clearly manifested in clothes: leggings and leggings, mini-skirts, necklines, shiny fabrics. In the 90s, unisex style becomes relevant. Minimalism is felt in the cut of clothes.

Vintage items: authentic and stylized

However, to the delight of fashionistas, a vintage thing is not necessarily a carefully preserved original. Moreover, the number of such copies is always limited.

Often things are sewn independently according to old patterns from vintage fabrics that are relevant for a particular fashion. Accessories that look in harmony with them also do not always come from grandmother's chests.

Keeping the vintage style is a serious test for a fashionista. At the same time, it should harmoniously recreate a historically reliable type. It is important to observe all the characteristic features of wearing a dress and organically complement it with accessories that create a unique vintage look. This, besides the dress itself, also has matching vintage brooches, earrings, and a handbag. More often, accessories suitable for the image are made by hand. Modern fashion stores offer their entire collections, including bags.

So you've decided...

If you have completely decided, for example, that the new look sung by Dior optimally corresponds to the disclosure of a new image, then that's great! Are you on the right way. In our time of unisex, focusing on femininity, you can really make a splash with your outfit. Alternatively, such a dress with a feminine silhouette in the style of the 50s can be ordered from an American online store. However, now vintage shops are open in Moscow. Choose according to your taste: dense fabric, fitted top, wide skirt just below the knee. It just needs to be seen: changing the unisex style for this kind of style, a woman changes dramatically!

However, that's not all...

It is quite obvious that the vintage look is completed with an adequate hairstyle and appropriate makeup. They can be described as works of art, uniquely presenting the high fashion of yesteryear.

Paying tribute to the authenticity of things, we note: necessary condition style is the perfect match to the figure. After all, only in this case, vintage creates a perfect image.

Instead of a conclusion

Finishing our review, we emphasize that vintage style is by no means second-hand.

The things made in it are elegant, made uniquely or in very small batches. They are considered classic. Thanks to high quality the materials used for their tailoring, vintage items are worn for several years. They are characteristic because they carry the breath of their era.

Take advantage of vintage items! You will feel the power of their impact on others. You will be given more attention, because vintage things really differ from consumer goods in their special style, cute elegant female silhouette, as well as the presence of unusual details and accessories.

When instead of a shopper's bag you take to a party a granny's handbag with a clasp lock or put on a denim from the time of dad's crazy youth, someone will definitely ask: "Where did you get this charm?" For even inexpensive, but good-quality clothes of the Soviet or post-Soviet times always add +100 coolness points to the image. Here you can find cool denim, polka dot dresses or beautifully aged boots.

Tanaka Vintage

Tanaka Vintage is based in California and sells online through Etsy. The store has a high rating, and, we believe, deservedly so. The range is Johnny Depp's dream. Here you will find shoes of all stripes with pleasant scuffs, and bohemian-style blouses, and voluminous coats, and handbags decorated using the patchwork technique, and fringe wherever possible. There are a lot of private sellers and up-and-coming vintage stores on Etsy, but Tanaka Vintage stands out from the competition in an extremely good photos of things. Correct angles, good light, detailed shooting. Prices are adequate, solid Chelsea boots can be snatched for 4000-5000 rubles.

ASOS Marketplace

Democratic online shopping giant ASOS spoils shoppers not only with inexpensive adaptations of seasonal trends, but also with the opportunity to snatch vintage items that fit into today's realities. The Marketplace is a favorite of fashionistas who like to rethink past eras and mix ultra-modern skinny jeans with fringed suede jackets from the '70s or Fila sweatshirts from the '80s. The Marketplace has an abundance of oversized denims, blouses with funny prints and large collars, grunge-style plaid shirts, mom jeans (and they are really from our mothers or even grannies), Spice Girls-inspired crop tops, corduroy raincoats and sportswear on any part of the body. Sometimes you come across cool brands like Calvin Klein or Tommy Hilfiger. Let's finally pierce your heart - the prices in the Marketplace are low, you can find a suede jacket for 1500 rubles. True, shipping will cost almost the same.

Farfetch

Online retailer Farfetch is not like the rest. While the selection is gigantic, Farfetch doesn't actually have a warehouse stocked with tons of luxury and mid-range clothing. In fact, this is a platform that brings together boutiques and concept stores from all over the world, and buyers just have to choose the item they like with one click. It is not surprising that the section with vintage items from all over the world fits perfectly into this scheme. Given the reputation of Farfetch, there is nothing to fear for the quality and authenticity of vintage clothing. But there is important detail- bomber jackets for 2000 rubles, like at ASOS, you definitely won’t find here. Get ready to spend at least 6000-7000 rubles, for example, on perfectly tailored Moschino jeans.

Rokit

The British store Rokit itself can be attributed to vintage - it opened back in 1986. It all started in London with the sale of vintage cowboy jeans, the success was so great that the store quickly straightened its shoulders and expanded not only the assortment, but also the number of boutiques. The Rokit website has a huge selection of men's, women's and even children's clothing. It is convenient that there are collections by decades from the 30s to the 90s. The most relish is stored in the Designer Brands section, where you can dig up clothes from Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Versace, Christian Dior, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana. By the way, even in this section the prices are adequate, for example, a Christian Dior jacket for about 7,000 rubles is the best catch.

vintage voyage

This is an option for those who are ready to spend in full. There is something to pay for - Vintage Voyage presents items from luxury brands Chanel, Hermès, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balmain. The store finds all these vintage treasures from wealthy European and American women, so you can be sure of authenticity. Of course, you can’t buy anything here for 1000 rubles, but jewelry and some accessories fit into 5000 rubles. If you decide to fork out for a luxurious Yves Saint Laurent satin suit for 135,000 rubles, you will be pleased that the store is based in Moscow. So there will be no problems with delivery, exchange or return. This is important because there is a danger of not getting in with the size. The average size "M" of the 70s can be much freer than the current "emoji".

Second Friend Store

Second Friend Store is more of a luxury secondhand store than a vintage store. But given that fashion is cyclical and designers only do what they quote from past decades, then a Givenchy dress 10 years ago can be considered vintage. Prices are at the level of the possibilities of a working student, for example, a Dries Van Noten blouse with a divine print can be snatched for 7,000 rubles (and it looks like 70,000). It can be seen that the creators select things with a soul, there are no old-fashioned or too worn clothes. But there are many conceptual brands and author's works. Oh yes, the store is located in Moscow, so you won't have to wait long for delivery.

It seems vintage never goes out of style. And so sophisticated fashionistas plunge headlong into the world of flea markets and flea markets, secretly passing each other the addresses of the best vintage shops. Looking for a 50s-inspired skirt and clip-on earrings from the 70s? A selection of PEOPLETALK especially for you. We have compiled a list of the best metropolitan shops where you can easily find rare and original items at affordable prices.

"Vintage X"

A retro shop with a great range of vintage clothing and accessories. Has existed since 2008. AT small room presents men's and women's vintage clothing of the 40s-90s, hats, collectible vintage jewelry and accessories (belts, gloves, ties, cufflinks and tie clips), bags and suitcases, magazines of the last century, household items of the twentieth century and even the tights of those times! Here you will definitely find something to your liking. By the way, all things in Vintage X are rented out, which, you see, is a real salvation for those who are going to a theme party or a photo shoot in the spirit of past years.

Prices: dresses - from 2,000 rubles, bags - from 800 rubles, jewelry - from 300 rubles.

Address: st. B. Ordynka, 19

"Frick Frack"

If you like individual style in clothes, then you are here. This is perhaps one of the most famous vintage points on the map of Moscow. The store offers fashionistas a wide range of men's and women's clothing of the 20th century. Freak Frak has been in existence since 1997 thanks to fashion historian Irina Getmanova. For the first time, once in the basement, do not be afraid of the huge number of things hanging crowded along the walls. In addition to a selection of eccentric outfits in the style of "Dandy", it is easy to find cute vintage dresses and carnival costumes here. Shoveling through kilos of things, you may run into a famous actor, stylist or dresser who came here in search of costumes for a new movie or photo shoot.

Prices: dresses - from 2500 rubles, skirts - from 1000 rubles, blouses - from 1000 rubles.

Address: st. Shabolovka, 25, building 1

vintage voyage

Are you looking for "that dress" or "that bag"? You here. VintageVoyage is ideal, but alas, not the cheapest place. It is considered one of the main vintage boutiques in Moscow, and the location is convenient - it is a stone's throw from the Central Department Store. Once you cross the threshold of the store, you seem to be making a journey through space and time. The boutique, as a rule, offers things from famous brands (Hermes, Chanel, Dior, YSL, Lanvin, Nina Ricci), so the prices are appropriate. Clothing and bags are mainly from Paris, Lyon and Provence, jewelry is from the USA. What particularly attracted us is that each item presented in the store at the same time reflects the era of its creation, and at the same time remains relevant to this day. If you're an intellectual, fashion-conscious, longing for the old days, you won't miss the Hermès Kelly bag no matter how much it costs. And in fact - what is half a million rubles when it comes to the dream of a lifetime! You can just dream, looking at an elegant little thing, especially since dreams have a habit of coming true.

Prices: dresses - from 50,000 rubles, bags - from 26,000 rubles, jewelry - from 5,000 rubles.

Address: st. Kuznetsky Most, 9/10 (3rd floor)

No Wave Store

The miniature showroom is located in one of the cell apartments on the fourth floor of the legendary Narkomfin commune house. By the way, this constructivist building is included in the list of monuments of world culture. Highly unusual choice places to shop, agree! This is just a collection of various and interesting things from different corners world, there is no specific stylistic orientation. The showroom also houses Holynoot Vegetarian Diner with falafel and homemade ginger beer.

Prices: jeans - from 1500 rubles, sweaters and pullovers - from 600 rubles, dresses - from 600 rubles. An exception is made only for their own collection under the Lashing brand. It is more expensive, the average price is about 2000 rubles.

Address: Novinsky Boulevard, 25, bldg. one

"Chiffonier"

If you are a fashionable girl with money and like to stand out in the crowd with rare and vintage, really rare things, you should come here at least once. This store will appeal not only to lovers of designer items, but also to those who are simply crazy about things “with history”. Evgenia Kozlova, the owner and buyer of Chiffonierka, set out to create not just a vintage store, but a fashion club that would become a source of inspiration and fashion ideas! There are clothes and accessories not only from famous brands (Emilio Pucci, Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Dior, etc.), but also from other equally respected brands. In the "Chiffonierka" you can find a unique thing and leaf through with a cup of coffee or a glass of champagne albums and vintage fashion books.

Prices: dresses - from 5000 rubles, bags - from 5000 rubles, jewelry - from 1500 rubles.

Address: Stoleshnikov per., 9

Address: M. Sukharevsky per., 7

Classic, modern, minimalism, Provence, eclecticism - each style of interior has characteristic features and its own energy, which distinguishes it from all others. The atmosphere that style broadcasts is perhaps the most important moment in creating an interior. The refined aristocracy of the past, touchingness, spirituality and romance make vintage in the interior recognizable and loved by many.

Signs of vintage style in the interior

To create a true vintage style in the interior of your apartment, you need to understand what he accepts and what he categorically does not allow. Its features are:

• natural materials in decoration;
• original antique furniture (early 20th century) or artificially aged;
• interior items with history and signs of wear, but retaining a decent look;
• symmetry and pairing of decor items, accessories and other style details;
• pastel shades, moderate and delicate; not necessarily only light, but restrained and discreet;
• the predominance of floral motifs in decor, wallpaper, textiles, upholstery;
• lack of luxury in the interior, simplicity and sincerity.

Important! Despite belonging to the vintage style of the past, do not confuse it with retro. The main difference between these interior styles is the time interval. Vintage is the beginning of the 20th century until the 20s and 30s, retro is the 50s and 60s. The preference in materials also varies: vintage stands for naturalness, retro allows synthetic materials.

The color scheme of the interior in vintage style

The charm of vintage style is largely due to the special color palette interior. Delicate, airy colors rule the ball here: shades of blue, lilac, pink, beige, brown, pure white. Usually, shades are selected in unison to the main chosen color: blue is played up with gray-blue and white colors of different tones, pink - with variants of lilac, lilac, pronounced brown is complemented by delicate coffee and chocolate shades.

Materials and finishes typical of a vintage interior

The decoration should use mainly natural materials: wood, stone, metal.

Walls in a vintage style interior are usually covered with wallpaper with a characteristic floral pattern or dyed in soft tones. All walls must be in the same color. Their task is to obligingly set off furnishings and stylish accessories, but not to dominate the interior. The color of the walls can be pure white, beige, grayish, blue.

The ceiling should be plain, painted or whitewashed. The presence of cracks and some irregularities in the finish is quite an authentic nuance of the vintage style. wonderful decoration ceiling can become . But such an interior strictly does not accept stretch and plasterboard suspended ceilings.

Natural parquet or tiles, artificially aged or really old, are suitable for the floor. Neither laminate nor carpet is compatible with vintage style.

Important! It is necessary to feel the measure in the deliberate "addition of age" to the details of the vintage interior. Finishing, furniture and decor should radiate an exquisite simplicity of style, and scream about the need for urgent repairs.

Furniture in a vintage interior

The main requirements for vintage-style furniture are its belonging to the beginning of the 20th century, noble origin and decent appearance. Each piece of furniture in the interior should reflect the spirit of its time, be original and interesting. An old, but thoroughbred look, the presence of scuffs, cracks, scratches is not only welcomed by the style, but even required. It's not just signs of wear. It's a lifetime rich in stories and accumulated experience.

Important! Creating an interior in vintage style is a slow and expensive business. Moreover, these two parameters may not “walk in pairs”, but live separately. Found at a flea market somewhere in Austria on the occasion of a trip, a stylish little thing can cost a penny, and the main expense here will be the time and effort of searching. But vintage furniture made to order in a design studio will cost a lot.

In the interior of the bathroom and toilet, unusual for a modern person, which means vintage, a toilet bowl with a high tank and a bathtub with curved legs in the form of lion paws will look vintage. Carved castings, chrome or gold pipes, ceramics and brass complete the vintage style.

Every detail must be carefully thought out and selected. It may not be literally from the beginning of the last century, but it must necessarily correspond to the declared style and have a pronounced character. Vintage in the interior implies that the main assistant in the choice should be a sense of proportion: the ultimate goal is the creation of a non-trivial interior completeness, and not an exhibition-sale in a junk shop.

Lighting in a vintage interior

For the delicate soulfulness of vintage style, soft is suitable. Soft diffused light of the main chandelier, cozy desk lamp, floor lamps with floral shades are all tools for creating a vintage atmosphere in the interior. No modern spotlights, turning lights and LED lights. Natural materials are used in the lamps - wood, metal, fabric on the lampshades.

Decor in vintage style

The main meaning and completeness of the vintage interior is given by decorative elements. These include:

1. Mirrors.
2. Watch.
3. Paintings in antique or stylized frames.
4. Vases, figurines, candlesticks.
5. Caskets.
6. Photos on the wall and on the shelves.
7. Napkins, bedspreads, blankets, towels and other textiles.
8. Stylish lampshades, covers.
9. Curtains and curtains.
10. Screens and more.

The pairing and symmetry of the arrangement are also relevant in the case of decor. Framed photos of the same size are placed on the table, similar lace napkins adorn bedside tables, decorative plates, medallions and panels on the walls are arranged in pairs.

Even obvious trinkets play a role in a beautiful story called “vintage style”. This role may be played by:

• a non-working typewriter for a long time, which, nevertheless, occupies an honorable place on a nightstand or secretary;
• an exquisite powder box on the dressing table;
• a mannequin with a carelessly thrown over old-fashioned peignoir;
• pharmaceutical jars and gizmos of unclear purpose;
• a handful of miniature wristwatches in a beautiful table vase, which have long ceased to count the passage of time.