When you think of “vintage” clothing, you might imagine timeless pieces from decades past, radiating charm and historical value. But one woman’s shopping experience raised the question: What really counts as vintage?
In a TikTok video that has garnered 1.8 million views, user Gianna Christine (@giannachristiine) shared a shopping mishap that left her—and her 2.7 million followers—shaking their heads. Gianna paid $48 for what she thought was an authentic vintage sweater at a thrift store, only to discover it was a used item from fast-fashion retailer Forever 21.
The Purchase That Sparked a Viral Moment
“If you ever feel dumb, know that I bought this sweater,” Gianna begins, showcasing the red turtleneck sweater in question. After falling in love with how it looked, she bought it without hesitation, confident in its “vintage” charm.
“I tried it on and was like, ‘Oh, it looks cute.’ I bought it, and I didn’t look at the tag,” she admits in the video. “It was vintage.”
Or so she thought. When she got home, the truth hit her hard. “I come home, put it on, and notice the tag says, ‘Forever 21.’”
Cue disbelief. “So, I paid $48 for a used Forever 21 sweater,” she laments. “You’ll never be as stupid as me in that moment.”
Viewer Reactions: Is $48 Too Much for Thrifted Items?
Gianna’s story resonated—and shocked—viewers, sparking a heated debate in the comments.
- “Who pays $48 for a thrifted item?” one person asked.
- “$48 for vintage is too much, especially for a basic red turtleneck,” another remarked.
- “$48 for THAT????” exclaimed a third.
Others, however, noted an ironic twist: technically, Forever 21 could qualify as vintage.
Is Forever 21 Vintage?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, “vintage” refers to something of high quality from 20 to 99 years ago. Since Forever 21 was founded in 1984, any clothing produced before 2004 technically meets the vintage age threshold.
But for many, vintage is more than just age—it’s also about craftsmanship, rarity, and cultural significance. Forever 21, a brand synonymous with fast fashion, doesn’t exactly align with these ideals. As The New York Times highlighted, the company rose to fame by popularizing affordable, mass-produced fashion.
Still, some argue that time has rebranded Forever 21 in surprising ways. “I think people don’t realize that vintage means 20 years ago, soooo 2004 is vintage,” one commenter explained.
“As a 28-year-old, I guess I’m officially old enough to hear people calling Forever 21 ‘vintage,’” joked another.
Forever 21: From Fast Fashion to “Vintage”?
While Forever 21’s quality is debatable, some sellers have attempted to capitalize on its age. In May, a Gen Z Depop seller listed a pair of Forever 21 sequin leopard print shorts as “vintage” for a jaw-dropping $298.
Even celebrities have toyed with the brand’s image. Actress Blake Lively once confessed to pretending her Forever 21 outfits were vintage.
“I wore Forever 21 much longer than I admitted. I just started saying it was vintage because I was so shamed for it,” she told Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney during a 2019 interview with InStyle. “For me, fashion is a form of self-expression. It also really takes me out of my comfort zone.”
Lessons Learned
Gianna’s experience serves as a lighthearted reminder: always check the tag before buying. While the definition of “vintage” might evolve with time, the value of thoughtful shopping never goes out of style.
Would you pay $48 for a Forever 21 sweater labeled as vintage? Let this story be a cautionary tale for thrift shoppers everywhere.
