The '70s fashion decade was sensational, high-octane, glamorous and unforgettable. Inspired by the flower power movement and the retro-futuristic nerd aesthetic, the fashion looks of this era are a world unto themselves. The seventies stood for hippies, disco queens, rockers, punks and retro nerds. We'll show you the most famous 70s fashion trends for men and women in this article!
As women gained more freedom in the 60s and 70s, this was also reflected in their style. In the 1970s, women began wearing clothing that was heavily inspired by theMen's fashion inspiredwas. It was during this period that pants and suits became mainstream as women's fashion. Previously, women primarily wore skirts and dresses to work and on formal occasions. Pants were only considered acceptable when worn indoors. When they could finally be worn outside, attitudes towards women's fashion in general changed.
Flared jeans characterized the decade
In the 1970s, jeans finally established themselves as women's clothing. As women gained more opportunities for full- and part-time employment, a need for comfortable and practical women's clothing arose. Jeans seemed like the perfect solution for a woman who's always on the go! Flared jeans and flared trousers in any shapewere valid in the 70sas the fashion flagship for women. However, towards the end of the decade, jeans became narrower and flares were slowly replaced by straighter silhouettes.
Platform heels are fashionable again today
When it comes to shoe trends in the 70s, the motto is “the bigger, the better”. Back then, platform shoes were the thing for both genderspreferred shoe type. Some are calling them the official footwear of the decade. And for good reason. These shoes attracted a lot of attention. Even men wore platform shoes to the disco parties! During this period, platform heels, sandals and boots were absolutely popular. Hardly anyone could escape this trend. In the early 1970s, most platform shoes had chunky or block heels. Later, thick soles were combined with thinner heels.
70s fashion accessories: headscarves
If you had to sum up 70s fashion in a single accessory, it would be the headscarf. From the pretty paisley scarves of the Peace Out era to the glittery turbans of the Studio 54 scene, this decade was dominated by headscarves. Wrapped around the head and adorned with rare brooches and exquisite jewelry, turbans were the ultimate fashion statement of the day, in bold colors and smoky eye makeup.
Pearls were popular with women
Pearls became fashionable in the early 1920s, but the difficulty of obtaining them and prohibitive prices meant that few women could afford pearls. With the advent of mass-produced artificial pearls in the 1970s, every woman could buy pearls as earrings, necklaces or bracelets. Some of the most popular pearls of the time were made in light pastel colors and were paired with shiny satin dresses à la Raquel Welch in the evening.
70s fashion: men
This decade saw the wearing of bold and daring outfits. While there were a variety of different looks for the decade, most of them featured bold colors and patterns, a silhouette that was tight at the top and loose at the bottom, and incorporated interesting textures like satin, suede, and corduroy. The must-have clothing items of the decade included bell bottoms, platform shoes, vests, long collared shirts, tight tees, turtlenecks, and more.
Denim suit dominated men's clothing
The late 1960s saw the emergence of informal suits made from fabrics of various colors and shades, marketed as summer casual wear for the wealthy. In the mid-1970s, the “casual suit style,” consisting of a denim jacket and matching pants, became increasingly popular, particularly the denim casual suits. They consisted of a jacket and trousers, with the front of the jacket featuring traditional denim topstitching and decorated with pockets.
Hippie was the most influential trend of that time
When we think of the 70s, hippie style immediately comes to mind. Since it was one of the first and most important styles of the decade, it's easy to see why. Although the look began developing in the late '60s, it reached its peak in the early '70s, when garments such as bell-bottoms, tie-dye tops, headbands, embroidered folk patterns and flowing scarves became mainstream. To rock the look today, consider incorporating an authentic hippie era piece into your outfit or a few modern designs inspired by the hippie era.
70s Fashion: Disco (Studio 54)
1970s disco fashion, immortalized by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, often consisted of three-piece suits in various colors with wide lapels, wide trouser legs or flared trousers, and high-necked vests. Other notable elements included aviator sunglasses, wide and statement ties, and long, pointed shirt collars. Since this look is difficult to pull off today, it's best to pay homage to the trend by incorporating subtle elements into your look.