120 Vintage Captions for Instagram for Your Trips Down Memory Lane

Are you wearing a super-stylish vintage outfit, rediscovering a video game you used to love, or simply going to town with amazing throwback photos? There’s always something beautifully nostalgic about tapping into those vintage moments — and your throwback Instagram posts definitely deserve winning captions!

Need a little help channeling that blast from the past? We’ve got your back! We’re sure that “vintage” and “retro” actually have very specific definitions, but the vintage Instagram captions you’ll find on this list are perfect for any moment of reflection on the past.

Scroll down to discover an eclectic mix of captions for just about any decade in the 20^th century, as well as general captions for retro outfits, decors, games, and memories.

How to Write Engaging Retro Captions for Instagram

So, you’re dressing up in a retro outfit or posting throwback pics? If you make them extra fun by adding retro captions for Instagram that capture the essence of the time period you’re talking about, you’ll get lots of comments and likes! Here’s how it’s done:

• Make your retro Instagram captions come to life by incorporating some well chosen slang words or phrases from the time period you’re posting about. This works for throwback photos as well as retro decors or outfits!
• If you’re in a nostalgic mood, feel free to lean into it and write a poetic Instagram caption that captures your feelings. These types of posts are very relatable for most people.
• You could also add some humor to your posts by making self-deprecating comments about the awful fashion styles you used to see as the epitome of cool, or adding time-appropriate puns to your captions. Making your followers laugh is always a good idea!
• Finally, if you’re still not feeling it, why not consider choosing a meaningful quote for your caption? If possible, try to make sure that the quote originated in the time period you’re channeling in your photos.

Have fun writing your vintage captions for Instagram, and don’t overthink it! Creativity works best if you just go with the flow and let your feelings paint a picture that describes what’s going on in your retro photos.

Of course, it’s OK if you’re a little lost — the huge collection of captions you’ll find down below will definitely have something for you!

Vintage Instagram Captions for Selfies

1. This look is just the bees’ knees, don’t you think?
2. I don’t need a vintage filter to have a heart filled with nostalgia.
3. ‘90s hair, don’t care.
4. It’s an oldie, but a goodie.
5. Picturing the past through my mind’s eye.
6. Cottage core with a silly touch of 1980s glam.
7. Same old me, fresh vintage look.
8. Me in my nostalgic era.
9. Lost in stories that should probably never have been told.
10. Thrift stores and retro feels.

Funny Vintage Captions for Instagram

11. Go where the WiFi is weak and the punk vibes are strong.
12. Like a fine wine… stuck in the ‘90s.
13. This is living proof that not all trends should come back.
14. Why go to a museum when you can revisit the past through cute fashion?
15. Meet me where neon colors, shoulder pads, and leg warmers collide — and start dancing!
16. This outfit is totally tubular, and you can’t tell me otherwise!
17. No, I didn’t build a time machine. I just bought a Volkswagen van, but that’s definitely the next best thing. Make love, not war!
18. Talk to the hand, ‘cause the ‘90s vibes ain’t listening.
19. Warning: Head for the beach, and you might just get hit by a wave of nostalgia.
20. Yes, I still play Tetris. What of it?

Cute Retro Captions for Instagram

21. I call this look “’50s housewife meets robocop.” What do you think?
22. Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just rummaging through my childhood bedroom and reliving the past.
23. Meet me at the arcade and buy me a milkshake. Rollerskates optional.
24. When you think about it, today’s trends are just tomorrow’s vintage.
25. Biking my way to the ‘80s, riding wild and free.
26. Mini skirt + go-go boots = vintage perfection in a single outfit.
27. Channeling my inner Jackie Kennedy and longing for the past.
28. Feeling vintage chic with a touch of nostalgia.
29. Playing Space Invaders with a retro heart.
30. Because classics are classics, and everything else is just noise.

Retro Instagram Captions for Throwback Photos

31. I practically lived in this shirt. Fast fashion isn’t everything.
32. Seriously. Minus the pacifier necklace, this look is pretty awesome.
33. I remember feeling so insecure about this picture, but this outfit was so cute!
34. Photos are nothing but the most common type of time capsule.
35. Nostalgic memories and embarrassing fashion.
36. What would “today me” have said to her? Less lipliner, girl. Much less.
37. Taking the scenic route as I explore my old photo albums.
38. Live in the now, but don’t forget to look back with a smile once in a while.
39. Blast from the past!
40. Stepping back in time, so I can remember what it was all about.

Vintage Instagram Captions for Home Decor

41. My interior? I call it Art Deco with a touch of desert cacti, and I love it!
42. Life is better with lava lamps.
43. Where pop art meets Netflix & Chill, that’s where I’m at home.
44. Because relaxing feels better on a vintage couch.
45. A word of warning: You might just feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine when you come visit me.
46. Orange wallpaper, brown kitchen cabinets. Channeling my love for the ‘70s, one upgrade at a time.
47. Apron on, cookies in the oven. Come over and try one!
48. Where polka dots dance around endlessly, and my smile never stops.
49. Yes, I like popcorn ceilings. Sue me.
50. Orange and brown are my favorite flavors, and you can’t change my mind.

Retro Captions for Instagram with Your Parents

51. Just showing off the oldest pieces in my vintage collection…
52. Bellbottoms and fun! Can you believe how cute they looked?
53. Just my parents telling me about this thing called a Walkman.
54. They’re antiques, but their hearts are made of gold.
55. Here’s a picture of my dad playing “handheld Tetris” on a Gameboy.
56. Me trying to find the rusty old key to my parents’ hearts…
57. Far out, man! This is what my parents looked like back in the day.
58. I remember this car! We took some fun road trips with this old guy!
59. Dad, do you remember when color TV was invented?
60. These guys actually know what a broken record sounds like.

Meaningful Vintage Captions for Instagram

61. Chasing vintage dreams and arcade vibes.
62. Country roads, take me home… to the time I belong!
63. Lost in the past, where everything was carefree and homework was the biggest problem.
64. Does anyone else remember playing Snake on that clunky Nokia with their friends?
65. Traveling through the past in my mind. The ‘90s were wild!
66. Looking back at a time when “snail mail” was just called “mail.”
67. Turning awesome moments into vintage memories.
68. Turn on that hippie music and dance. Life is beautiful, especially when you take a trip down memory lane.
69. Restoring vintage furniture makes me feel connected to the past.
70. We go together like Doom and Tetris.

Retro Instagram Captions for Cute Outfits

71. Letting my inner Valley Girl come out to play! Dressing up is fun.
72. I fer sure look great in this outfit, WDYT?
73. If this outfit had a sound track, it would be brought to you by Pearl Jam.
74. I followed my heart, and it led me to this vintage outfit.
75. The ‘90s weren’t just a decade, but a whole mindset, and I’m still living it.
76. Life ain’t perfect, but this throwback outfit sure is!
77. The punk outfit doesn’t ask questions. The punk outfit understands.
78. Aerobics are my cardio, so obviously I need leg warmers.
79. Does my butt look grunge in this?
80. Rocking this outfit like I’m about to rent a VCR from Blockbuster.

Beautiful Quotes for Vintage Instagram Captions

81. “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” ― LP Hartley
82. “Nostalgia is the only friend that stays with you forever.” — Damien Echols
83. “Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.” — Doug Larson
84. “And I’d trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday.” — Chris Montez
85. “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” ― Søren Kierkegaard
86. “The past is a candle at great distance: too close to let you quit, too far to comfort you.” — Amy Bloom
87. “Fashion changes, but style endures.” — Coco Chanel
88. “In the fashion industry, everything goes retro except the prices.” — Criss Jami
89. “Each night I lie down in a graveyard of memories.” — Jerry Spinelli
90. “I love history… everything is inspired by history, so that’s why I love vintage and antiques.” — Kelly Wearstler

Short Retro Captions for Instagram

91. Keep calm and stay retro.
92. Live, love, laugh, and take trips down memory lane.
93. Trendy? Nah. I prefer to stay classic.
94. I’m the CEO of Making Vintage Look Cool.
95. Back to the future!
96. Got 99 problems, but a cute throwback outfit makes them all better.
97. Oh, this scent? It’s called “Better Believe I Can Beat You at Doom.” Want in?
98. I’m off on a nostalgia trip. See you later!
99. Nostalgia isn’t a place. It’s a feeling.
100. Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

One Word Vintage Captions for Instagram

101. Tubular!
102. Sick.
103. Memories.
104. Time.
105. Smile.
106. Throwback.
107. Gone.
108. Once.
109. Moments.
110. Longing.

Creative Writing Prompts for Vintage Instagram Captions

Would you prefer to write your own retro captions? We understand! After all, your Instagram posts work best when your photos and captions perfectly match each other — and sometimes, you just need to have eyes on the pic to make that happen!

You can use these creative prompts to give you a nudge in the right direction, so let your creativity flow and have fun!

111. When life gives you vintage vibes, don’t forget to…
112. Nothing says nostalgia like…
113. Remember when…?
114. Throwback outfits are…
115. I kind of wish we still… What about you?
116. Classics never go out of style, and this dress…
117. Now playing: …
118. Modern girl, vintage heart, and…
119. I can still see us, standing there in the rain and…
120. Because everyone needs a little…

FAQ About Retro Captions for Instagram

How long should my vintage captions for Instagram be?

There’s no one right answer, but it’s true that shorter Instagram captions usually do better. We advise you to stick to captions somewhere between 140 and 220 characters unless you have a specific reason for making your captions longer. You could also try experimenting with one word captions, but only if you can find the right word!

Can you recommend any good emojis for my vintage Instagram captions?

The right emojis to pick depend on the decade you’re channeling in your posts, but some good emojis with vintage vibes include 📻, 📺, 🕹️, 🎞️, 📼, 🎶, and 📸. For outfits, you can consider emojis like 👗 and 👠. Remember, the context determines whether an emoji feels “retro!”

What are some great hashtags to add to my retro captions for Instagram?

The best hashtags for your retro Instagram captions include #vintagevibes, #throwbackthursday (only on Thursdays, obviously!), #retrorevival, #classicstyle, #backintime, #vintageinspired, #flashbackfriday, and #oldschoolcool.