The 1970s has been crowned the best decade for fashion and beauty, according to research (2024)

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A study of 1,000 adults found more than 40 per cent of respondents would choose the disco era as the decade they would like to revisit.

Bell-bottom trousers and platform shoes helped propel the era to the top of the list.

Knee high boots, tie dye and frayed jeans were also cited as some of the top trends Brits miss the most.

The research was commissioned by shopping destination centre:mk to celebrate its 40th birthday, as part of a project called ‘Four Decades of Style – 1979 to 2019’.

The study investigates styles from the last 40 years, revealing the trends, fashion fads, celebrated influencers and enduring style icons.

centre:mk collaborated with fashion and culture expert Jo Craven on the ‘Boomerangs, Fads and Icons’ report.

It identifies fashion headliners and 'boomerang' trends as well as fleeting fads, revealing the cyclical nature of four decades of fashion.

Kim Priest, head of marketing at centre:mk, said, “When we commissioned Jo Craven for our ‘Boomerangs, Fads and Icons’ report, we didn’t expect it to start so many conversations across the generations.

The 1970s has been crowned the best decade for fashion and beauty, according to research (1)

"In particular, explaining the iconic status of the mullet in its time brought huge amusem*nt.

“So many of the iconic trends from the last four decades keep on boomerang-ing back, season after season, and have resurfaced on the high street this season.

MORE:What food was everyone eating the year you were born? Most popular dishes of the 50s 60s 70s and 80s revealed!

“This focus on reinvention is something we celebrate as a centre, ensuring we stay as relevant as the latest boomerang trend.”

The colourful 1980s was the second best decade for fashion and beauty thanks to hero items including shoulder pads, big hair and shell suits.

More than one quarter thought power shoulder pads were a standout eighties trend, while two in 10 believe big hair was a definitive look.

The year 1983 also saw Madonna release her debut album and go on to define the era’s fashion. As a result, 22 per cent believe she is one of the most iconic influences of the period.

A further three in 10 credited Princess Diana as having a huge impact on the way we dress today and the late David Bowie with his chameleon-like appearance was chosen as the most influential male style icon.

The 1970s has been crowned the best decade for fashion and beauty, according to research (2)

Other stylish men included Kurt Cobain, Karl Lagerfeld and Mick Jagger, who along with his then-wife Bianca were style icons of the 70s.

At the other end of the spectrum, mullets were voted the most ‘hilarious’ look that the nation would least like to come back into fashion, followed by puffball skirts and skin-tight metallics.

Grease was the most influential film for fashion and beauty and Olivia Newton John and John Travolta’s leather duo was the most ‘iconic’ style moment in pop culture according to over a quarter of Brits.

Jo Craven said, “Four decades ago when centre:mk first opened, mobile phones were a futuristic fantasy, the final episode of Fawlty Towers was aired on TV, Harry hadn’t even met Sally and Blondie’s Heart of Glass was Top of the Pops.

“Forty years on, we may still be listening to Blondie, but the world has changed substantially.

"But it’s so much fun to identify the icons who still inspire us, the trends we still can’t quite believe were popular and the much-loved and surprise comebacks.”

The modern decades of 2000s and 2010s proved less popular for fashion, but Brits admitted they would like to see capri trousers and leggings make a comeback.

But the styles Brits do not want to ever see return include wearing underwear as outerwear, 'Crocs' shoes and ‘his and hers’ outfits, according to the OnePoll research.

A full round-up of centre:mk’s 40th anniversary celebrations can be found atwww.centremk.com, along with the full ‘Boomerangs, Fads and Icons’ report.

Top trends from the 70s: 1. Platform shoes 2. Bell-bottom trousers 3. Knee high boots 4. Maxi dresses 5. Disco fashion 6. Tie Dye 7. Midi skirts 8. Frayed jeans 9. Sideburns 10. Boob tubes

The 1970s has been crowned the best decade for fashion and beauty, according to research (2024)

FAQs

How did the 1970s influence fashion? ›

The '70s differentiates itself as a decade in style due in part to an emphasis on tailored silhouettes, ease in style, and the Halston effect. Dresses made by the legendary designer are set apart due to his keen eye for simplicity and languid fabrications including cashmere and ultra-suede.

What was the best decade for fashion? ›

Truth be told, 1970s fashion is some of the best, and the decade has some of the greatest style icons, too. From Cher and Bianca Jagger to Diana Ross and Grace Jones, the sartorial choices of these legendary stars still hold up today. In fact, they're even better.

Who started the 1970s fashion? ›

American fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick, known simply as Halston, created nearly every popular dress seen on the dance floors of the 1970s. His free-flowing and draped jersey dresses and lean trouser suits were perfect for dancing thanks to their construction without buttons or zippers.

Is 70s style in fashion? ›

From folk-inspired maxis to party platforms, this is the best 1970s fashion to shop now. We can't remember a time when 1970s fashion wasn't relevant, but searches for all things flared, flowy and crochet are up 80% this year on Depop.

What were the 70s known for? ›

The 1970s was also an era of great technological and scientific advances; since the appearance of the first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 4004 in 1971, the decade was characterised by a profound transformation of computing units – by then rudimentary, spacious machines – into the realm of portability and home ...

How did fashion change from the 70s to the 80s? ›

In the early 1980s, fashion had moved away from the unkempt hippie look and overdressed disco style of the late 1970s. Athletic clothes were more popular than jeans during this period, as were more subdued colors.

On what decade was the new look fashion popular? ›

The New Look, a watchword in the 1950s, particularly in haute couture, had striking stylistic repercussions at least into the 1960s.

When was the golden age of fashion? ›

Through clothing, shoes, and photographs, this exhibition demonstrates how designers such as Dior, Balenciaga, and Chanel brought glamour back to Europe after World War II.

When was the golden era of fashion? ›

90s is considered to be the golden era of fashion which witnessed the introduction and rise of various trends that are still relevant today.

What was the 70's decade called? ›

Tom Wolfe called the 1970s the "Me Decade." Across the land, Americans seemed determined to escape from the wars and social movements of the previous decade. Disillusionment with national and global action led many to look inward and find solace in discovering more about themselves.

What was popular in the 1970s? ›

Skateboarding: Skateboarding became popular in the 1970s, with kids and teenagers riding boards in parks and on city streets. Smiley faces: The yellow smiley face, with a round yellow face and black eyes and mouth, became a popular symbol of positivity and happiness in the 1970s.

What design movement was in the 70s? ›

The postmodernist design also began to emerge in the 1970s. Designers started to adopt rejected historical styles. They experimented with them, making them more exaggerated and fun. The 1970s was a great decade to try new things with graphic design and test different styles.

What were the 70s known for fashion? ›

The 1970s began with a continuation of the hippie look from the 1960s, giving a distinct ethnic flavor. Popular early 1970s fashions for women included Tie dye shirts, Mexican 'peasant' blouses, folk-embroidered Hungarian blouses, ponchos, capes, and military surplus clothing.

What is the 70s aesthetic called? ›

Flower Power. https://groovyhistory.com/groovy-disco-style-fashion-post-hippie-1970s. Flower Power was the early 70s aesthetic all about love, world peace, and free-spirited vibes. Inspired by the late 60s hippie fashion, the Flower Power aesthetic was all about bright colors and simple laid-back styles.

What was it like to be a woman in the 1970s? ›

The economic downturn of the 1970s pushed more women into the workforce, which impacted labor laws, education, and the family structure. The mid-70s marked an end to the women's liberation movement. Fear and resentment of the liberated woman became more prevalent.

How the feminist movement may have influenced clothing styles in the 1970s? ›

In the 1970s and '80s, power dressing became popular with women joining the workforce. The new style gave women a more masculine and professional look made up of matching skirts and jackets with padded shoulders. During this time, there was also a divide between feminine and masculine dressing.

What era influenced the 70s? ›

Table of Contents. The 1970s were, in some ways, a continuation of the 1960s. Women, gays and lesbians, African Americans, Native Americans and other marginalized people continued their fight for equality, and many Americans joined the protest against the ongoing war in Vietnam.

What fads occurred in the 1970s? ›

15 Top Trends from the 70s
  • Bellbottoms. Bellbottoms were like the clothing mullet before the mullet was really a thing. ...
  • Platforms. Wanting to be taller is a common wish among people. ...
  • High-waisted jeans. ...
  • Tie-dye. ...
  • Feathered hair. ...
  • The afro. ...
  • Corduroy. ...
  • Circular sunglasses.

What was the design style of the 70s? ›

The 70s interior design style, known as Disco Decor, is a particularly eye-catching and fun aesthetic. The style embraces bright and bold colors, shapes, and materials, such as velvet and chrome. Disco Decor is all about creating a vibrant, exciting space that celebrates high-energy and the feeling of motion.

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