Sure, the 1970s were a time of political turmoil and dissatisfaction with the American government. But if you were to judge the era by its fashions alone, it was a pretty great decade.
Punks, mods, hippies, and disco shaped '70s style and thrust fringe, psychedelic prints, and micro-mini clothing into the mainstream.Whether you lived through the decade yourself or simply long for this bygone era's groovy looks, enjoy a blast from the past with the essential outfits and accessories that every cool person in the '70s hadin their closet.
1
Tube tops
The feminists who did away with their bras in the 1960s didn't need them by the time the '70s rolled around, thanks to the tube top. This strapless style saw a surge in popularity toward the end of the decade and was frequently worn by fashion icons like Cher, Bianca Jagger, and Suzanne Somers.
2
Fringed leather
While punks wore black leather jackets in the '70s, everyone else with an eye for fashion was wearing brown fringe. The popularity of these garments—also known as buckskins—accompanied the rise in popularity of western wear at the time, with bolo ties and embroidered button-ups also becoming major trends.
3
Micro-mini skirts
Though the trend was first popularized in the 1960s with the help of mod designer and fashion revolutionary Mary Quant, micro-minis gained even more followers in the 1970s, with feminists like Gloria Steinem identifying the trend as a form of liberation from the longer hemlines of decades past.
4
Tie-dye
Colorful tie-dye gained traction during the 1960s with the rise of the hippie movement. But in the '70s, the psychedelic pattern saw its popularity surge. And while designers like Christian Dior and Halston jumped on the trend, tie-dye's ubiquity was due in no small part to everyone's ability to create the look using little more than some rubber bands and dye.
5
Mood rings
In 1975, inventors Maris Ambats and Josh Reynolds hit the zeitgeist when they created the mood ring. The rings, which changed color in response to the wearer's body heat, supposedly as a means of telling their mood, quickly became a must-have item for the fashion-forward, with high-end versions of the ring selling for upwards of $250.
While wooden-soled shoes have been worn throughout Europe and parts of Asia for centuries, it wasn't until the 1970s that clogs hit the fashion mainstream in the United States. Typically made with leather upper material, wooden soles, and visible metal studs joining the two parts, clogs—particularly those with a chunky platform heel—became the go-to footwear for countless '70s style icons.
7
Leisure suits
The leisure suit look frequently consisted of a fitted jacket, bellbottom or flared pants, and a button-up shirt with the top few buttons undone. The popularity of this disco-inspired style hit its apex following 1977's Saturday Night Fever, whenJohn Travolta's white suit became one of the era's most iconic outfits.
8
Maxi dresses
The longer the dress, the more fashionable the wearer—at least as far as '70s style was concerned. Similar to caftans, maxi dresses were long and frequently oversized, but typically had a more defined shape, with plunging necklines, tie waists, and fitted sleeves giving them a more streamlined look.
9
Aviator glasses
Though aviators were first created by Bausch & Lomb in 1936 to keep pilots' eyes safe from irritants during flight, the '70s saw the style's popularity surge. Fashion icons of the time, including Elvis Presley, brought this trend into the mainstream, but it was Bausch & Lomb's Ray-Ban brand that flooded the market.
10
Wrap dresses
A more form-fitting alternative to caftans and loose maxi dresses, wrap dresses were a staple among '70s trendsetters. The popularity of the style is often attributed to designer Diane von Fürstenberg (above),who first brought a knit jersey wrap dress to market in 1974, creating a fashion empire worth more than $100 million by the end of the decade.
11
Bell bottoms
Bell bottoms are nothing short of iconic. In the early 1970s, husband-and-wife entertainersSonny and Cher helped this bold style gain an international following when they repeatedly wore the pants on their television show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.Cher especially was considered to be the fashion barometer of the decade. Made from denim,bright cotton, and satin polyester, bell bottoms soon became one of the decade's must-have fashions.
12
Corduroy
Corduroy fabric had already been around for decades, but the 1970s saw the material become suddenly fashionable. From bell bottoms to dresses to full suits, if you were a stylish dresser in the '70s, your wardrobe was definitely full of the stuff.
13
Studded belts
As punk rock grew in popularity in the early '70s, so too did the styles associated with the musical genre. That included brightly-colored mohawks, leather jackets, and drainpipe jeans. For those dipping their toes into the punk scene, studded belts were a way to emulate some of the subculture's more socially-acceptable styles without a full Johnny Rotten makeover.
14
Platform shoes
Though platform shoes had a bit of a moment in the 1930s, it was their appearance in a 1970 edition of Seventeen magazine that brought them into the mainstream. Platform shoes (often worn with bell bottoms and covered in glitter or other colorful adornments) were typically worn by women in their teens and twenties—and in the early part of the decade, by men who enjoyed heading to the discotheque. Perhaps the most famous cultural icon who rocked the platform heel was glam rocker David Bowie, who wore the style while performing as his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.
15
Oversized collars
Small collars were totally square by 1970s standards. Worn by everyone from Elvis to Mick Jagger, oversized collars kept the button-up shirts of the time from looking too, well, buttoned-up.
16
Sheepskin coats
Sheepskin coats—also known as shearlings—were as ubiquitous in the 1970s as the iconic Members Only jackets were in the 1980s. While commonly considered a luxury item by today's standards, these popular jackets, defined by their buttery exterior and fleecy interior, were available at virtually every department store in the 1970s.
17
Halter tops
If you weren't wearing a halter top in the 1970s, you might as well have been from another planet. Halters, which tie around the neck rather than being held up by shoulder straps, were so popular that some of the decade's most famous designers, like Halston and Missoni, even incorporated them into their evening-wear lines.
18
Black leather jackets
An emblem of counter-culture style to this day, the leather jacket became a staple among punks in the 1970s, having previously been a hallmark of greaser style two decades prior. However, unlike the leather jacket's prior iterations, cool kids in the '70s customized theirs with studs, patches, and pins.
19
Hot pants
Hot pants, or extremely short shorts, was a term first coined by Women's Wear Daily in 1970 to describe itty-bitty shorts made in luxury fabrics like velvet and satin.
Designers likeYves Saint Laurent,Valentino,Halston, Betsey Johnson, Mariuccia Mandelli, and Mary Quant offered high-end versions of this fashion staple beginning in the early part of the decade, with stores like Sears offering cheaper alternatives. Hot pants also found their way into the closets of the rich and famous. Celebrities such asJacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Jane Fonda, and yep, you guessed it, David Bowie, were all spotted wearing them.
20
Gold chains
When it came to 1970s jewelry, the prevailing style was big, bold, and gold. Yellow-gold jewelry made a major resurgence during the 1970s, with thick yellow-gold chains becoming a staple during this period. The trend carried over into the following decade and became a hallmark of hip-hop style.
21
Caftans
Caftans saw a major rebrand in the 1970s, moving away from their reputation as frumpy house dresses and beach cover-ups and into the mainstream. These figure-obscuring frocks became so popular that luxury brands began to get into the caftan business, with fashion houses like Missoni, Halston, and Christian Dior making their own iterations of these oversized items.
22
Creepers
A comfortable alternative to traditional platforms, thick-soled creepers were a fashion trend popular among punks, hippies, and mods alike in the 1970s. The style has been revived yet again in recent years, with Rihanna creating a line of creepers through her Fenty x Puma collaboration.
23
Head scarves
Taking a cue from the hippie style of the '60s, headscarves were a popular accouterment among stylish individuals in the '70s, as well. These scarves, often made of polyester or silk and dyed in bright colors, were typically either worn as headbands or tied in a turban style.
24
Jumpsuits
From polyester to fishnet, silk to macramé, the jumpsuit was a must-have for any fashionista in the 1970s. Worn by celebrities like Farrah Fawcett, Cher, and Jerry Hall, the one-piece garment was associated with disco styleand was a staple at clubs like Studio 54.
25
Go-go boots
Since their debut in 1964 by designerAndré Courrèges, the go-go boot has come to include any boots that areknee-high, square-toed, and block-heeled. Throughout the '70s, some of the world's most famous models and actresses were spotted wearing these trendy boots, from fashion iconTwiggy to controversial bombshellBrigitte Bardot. And for more blasts from the past, here are the30 Things All '70s Kids Remember.
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Popular styles included bell bottom pants, frayed jeans, midi skirts, maxi dresses, tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos. Some accessories that will help pull together your early '70s Hippie outfits are chokers, headbands, scarves, and jewelry made of wood, stones, feathers, and beads.
Menswear during this decade also included turtleneck sweaters, oversized collars or lapels, high-waisted pants, leisure suits, and platform shoes. Overall, men confidently embraced their individuality, making it a famous era for fashionable gentlemen everywhere.
Around 1976, casual fashion adopted a Parisan peasant look. This included capes, turbans, puffy skirts and shirts with billowing sleeves. In the mid-1970s, accessories were generally not worn, adopting a minimalistic approach to fashion akin to that of the 1950s.
Two really common fabrics used in the seventies were suede and denim. These were seen in all aspects of dress, throughout menswear and womenswear. Each were seen on every item of clothing imaginable. Bellbottoms were a huge seventies fashion staple and they could be found in both denim and suede.
Big pants and big collar suits are a full-on 70s statement, but more casual trends that we have been obsessing over such as sweater vests and short shorts can add a subtle splash of 70s inspiration to your wardrobe.
In the early 1970s, boys' trousers came in bright colors and bold patterns.Plaids and stripes were especially popular and many had matching vests, often belted (Fig. 27). These elements were worn with brightly colored button-down shirts and sometimes with a matching jacket.
70s was altogether high on platform heels. They brought a beautiful silhouette enhancing the height and making women look taller and sexier. Bell-bottoms and a platform heel was all the rage to be the disco queen of the 70s.
Many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of United States' prestige worldwide. But the significance of the seventies goes beyond high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam - profound changes to American politics, societal norms, and the nation's economy took root.
When Woodstock took place in 1969, hippie fashion flooded the fields. Fringe jackets, denim jumpsuits, leather vests, flowers in hair, flowing dresses, and more filled the vast fields. These same fashion trends continue to be spotted at festivals today but have taken on a modern spin.
All you need are jeans, a white collared shirt, a red sweater or long-sleeved shirt to wear over the white shirt, and a white or beige bucket hat. Women can dress like Daisy Duke by wearing short denim cut-offs, a button-down shirt tied up above the navel and a pair of heels or cowboy boots.
Plaid was the hot pattern. Whether it was on vests, button ups, or bellbottoms, you could mix and match plaids to become a geometric fashionista. Paired with leisure suits that were so popular among adults, kids in the '70s couldn't go wrong.
Little boys and girls often wore wide leg pants with a fitted, striped long-sleeved knit. Popularly worn for play, the pants weren't restricting, were featured in dark tones, and were ultra-comfortable.
Earth tones dominate in this era as the “earth movement” begins in earnest in 1970 with the first Earth Day. Beige, rust, avocado, harvest gold, mustard yellow, earthy brown play together in patterns and solids. Appliances take on these colors as well.
Producing feminine and elegant styles for women and dapper and functional clothing for men, synthetic fabrics; like polyester and nylon, were staples of 70s fashions that boasted simplicity in design and shape. Perhaps, one of the most popular, synthetic styles was the pant suit.
Men and women in the 1970s both wore leather or suede jackets and fringe hippie vests that are popular again this year. Natural earth tone browns, tans and green were popular in the late 70s. So were denim jackets, shearling (sheep) lined jackets, faux fur, embroidered velvet and blanket cloth.
Is 70s hippie or disco? It's actually both. The 70's was a time where you could be a hippie, into disco, neither, or both. It all depended on your unique personality.
At the more classic end of the scale, actors like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and Robert Redford, as well as industrialist Gianni Agnelli, power-dressed their way through the decade with wide-lapelled tailoring, kipper ties and big shades at all times.
Corduroy was the fabric of the Seventies, used in everything from dresses to skirts and trousers. Often thought of as unappealing, this season the notoriously nerdy material has got its sexy back.
Description For boys in 1975, all cotton pullover knits that featured novel screen prints and colorful three-quarter length raglan sleeves. Fashionable leisure suits were also popular and were made in polyester knit with a solid color jacket that could reverse to a houndstooth pattern and flared solid color slacks.
Men. Crop tops have been worn by men since the 1970s. The early Rocky films have Sylvester Stallone and Carl Weathers wearing crop tops while working out. The protective gear of American football with no shirt resembles a crop top.
Tie-dye, loose-fitting shirts, and velvet vests were all a part of the men's hippie aesthetic in the later part of the 1960s while color continued to remain front and center. As the 1960s moved into the 1970s, flared trousers, jeans, and long hair were all widespread men's styles.
Puffy chevron jackets, denim overalls and vest sets, novelty baseball tees and basic denim jeans were all popular boys clothing in this year. Girls wore pleated circle skirts, western style denim and tops, colorful corduroy overalls, bibbed dresses with ruffles, classic blazers in this year.
From the mid-16th century until the late 19th or early 20th century, young boys in the Western world were unbreeched and wore gowns or dresses until an age that varied between two and eight.
Who remembers wearing Ditto jeans back in the 70s? Dittos were the must-have jeans of the 1970s and '80s. Ditto jeans came in a rainbow of colors and sported a signature U-turn saddle stitch down the backside. The tight fit, flared leg and flattering "rear view" inspired a cult following that's lasted over 30 years.
The iconic 70s fashion trend gained popularity thanks to The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, where they were frequently worn by husband-and-wife singing duo Sonny and Cher. Bell-bottoms were a popular pant style for 70s disco-goers.
Since then, the term go-go boot has come to include the knee-high, square-toed boots with block heels that were very popular in the 1960s and 1970s; as well as a number of variations including kitten heeled versions and colours other than white.
That decade gave us the Nike Waffle Trainer, the Stan Smith (although it existed since 1965 as Robert Houllirt's signature sneaker), the PUMA Clyde, and a whole range of Vans sneakers including the Era and the Old-Skool.
The Vietnam War came to a close, the Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon, the United States ended direct involvement in the Vietnam War and President Jimmy Carter grappled with an energy crisis, inflation and the Iran Hostage Crisis.
It's the decade that launched the streaker, the Brady Bunch and the smiley face -- not to mention punks, the disco craze, a rising tide of one-hit wonders. And, let's not forget platform shoes and polyester leisure suits.
Hippies were also known for their unique style, favouring long hair and casual, often unconventional, dress, sometimes in “psychedelic” colours. Many males grew beards, and both men and women wore sandals and beads.
They often wore long flowing garments like bell bottoms, peasant skirts, tunics, and kaftans. These clothes were made in the most colourful fabrics or with macramé patterns. They usually wore tights or leggings underneath those layers and were accessorized with chunky jewellery or feathers in their long hair.
Hippies often wear symbols, jewelry, and clothing inspired by Native American styles. Emphasize bright colors, which were worn as an ode to psychedelic drugs, and floral patterns, which were important due to the back-to-the-land movement. In general, favor natural fibers like cotton, wool, and leather.
Flared trousers are often the most prominent garment associated with the decade, but miniskirts, crop tops, shearling coats, and the rise of the bell sleeve are of equal importance. They're made all the more enjoyable when they feature psychedelic colouring and prints, or have been printed with a tie-dye blend.
Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.
Plastic and rubber masks were all the rage in the 1970s. Instead of wearing a full body costume, people would get masks and themed shirts to match. Most of the masks worn for the DIY Halloween costumes revolved around the themes of famous music icons, TV series, and movie characters.
Leave those plain-looking jeans behind and look for high-waisted ones with distinctly '70s details, such as patch or flap pockets in the front, unique stitching patterns and embroidery, stripes and prints, and vibrant light blue or indigo washes.
Exaggerated flares, mom jeans, saturated colors, printed denim, permed hair, dramatic ruffles, and over-the-top silhouettes — it's no surprise that the 70s and 80s were among the boldest decades in the fashion industry.
From upholstery and wall art to wallpaper and accent pillows, eye-catching prints and patterns are hallmarks of 70s interior design. Think funky geometric shapes, jungle prints, and psychedelic designs. These bold, playful prints are part of what's gaining traction in modern design.
While it's easy to presume that the '70s were only about bell-bottoms and platform heels, this decade was about so much more. “The fashion that defined the 70s was mostly attitude-driven — it was a sophisticated and laidback,” says Zakaria. “Sabyasachi's 'Namaste Easy' line smacks of the same insouciance.”
Exaggerated flares, mom jeans, saturated colors, printed denim, permed hair, dramatic ruffles, and over-the-top silhouettes — it's no surprise that the 70s and 80s were among the boldest decades in the fashion industry.
Hippies tended to dress in extremely loose, comfy clothing. Typically, both men and women acquired long hair that flowed like a river. Due to the high cost of fabric, hippies began to design and colour their own clothing. They frequently wear bell-bottom jeans with ankle fringe and flower patches as their attire.
Tie dye was popular in the 1960s as Protest Art, then as Pop Fashion in the 70s. These are the most notable tie dye decades, but tie dye is renewed each decade. Tie dye became popular as an idea; your clothing can be a form of protest.
Wrap-style with deep brown edging and trim; dropped shoulders; long sleeves with roll-cuffs; two pockets; belt loops; self tie-belt. Description Double-knit polyester with a pique-effect texture. Step-in style with a front zipper opening. Notched collar; front yoke and shirring; long sleeves; wide flared legs.
Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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