retro-futurism n.

(the use of) a style or aesthetic considered futuristic in an earlier era, typically having both retro and futuristic elements

SF Criticism

  • 1988 Inland Architect May–June 2/1 (title)

    Retro-futurism and Seaside Midwest.

  • 1991 J. Savage England’s Dreaming (1992) i. 96 page image

    The year before, they’d been into Glenn Miller but now assumed the shiny, retro-futurism of the ‘Soul boy’ with the added innovation of period cars.

  • 1994 Science Fiction Age Nov. 43 (advt.) page image

    Retrofuturism Celebrating the spirit and imagination of Yesterdays’ Tomorrow—‘Classic Raygun Miniatures’ are truly unique collectables. Their classic Art Deco styling recalls a time of high space adventure and a future of blithe optimism.

  • 2000 House Beautiful Nov. 140/1 page image

    Esslinger’s signature style is something he calls ‘retro-futurism’, a harkening back particularly to products influenced by Art Deco and Art Moderne, such as the dashboard radio in the ’54 Cadillac.

  • 2008 T. Lee Laser Fodder in Interzone (#214) Feb. 57/2 page image Tony Lee bibliography

    Blade Runner….is undeniably an influential exhilarating, remarkable piece of work, boasting…fascinating SF visuals (sophisticated retro-futurism).

  • 2014 Entertainment Weekly 17 Jan. (Movie reviews section) 8 page image

    It’s set in the future, but you won’t see any space-age style in Her. Instead, costume designer Casey Storm’s wardrobe is rooted in retro-futurism.

  • 2024 K. Barr This Guy Built a Pair of AR Glasses From Scratch in Gizmodo 8 Nov. page image

    The final design of 1.0 takes a good deal of inspiration from retro-futurism, with goggle-like frames.

Research requirements

antedating 1988
Research History
The definition and first quotation are based on the OED3 entry.

Last modified 2025-10-09 14:07:14
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.