Fashion reflects the spirit of each era, with some decades boasting remarkable trends while others fall short. The 1970s stands out as a pivotal period in American history, marked by significant social changes. The Civil Rights Movement gained momentum following the progress of the 1960s, and the rise of feminism empowered women to pursue their aspirations freely.
Contrary to expectations, traditional fashion didn’t resurface after its decline in the 1960s. Instead, individuals embraced self-expression through their clothing choices. The era saw the emergence of hippie style, characterized by ideals of “peace and love” and a departure from past societal norms.
Designers incorporated vibrant colors into garments, and multi-colored shirts became popular for their versatility.
Footwear also underwent a revolution, prioritizing comfort without compromising style. Men moved away from rigid suits and dress shoes, while women found liberation from dresses and heels. These shifts in fashion reflected broader societal changes, shaping the trajectory of future trends. We’re in 2024 now, but click here to read more about 13 fashion trends that defined 2013.
24/7 Tempo consulted Elle, Who What Wear, and Vogue to help come up with the most iconic fashion moments of the 70s.
Jumpsuits
In the early 1970s, jumpsuits became popular because of their comfort and simplicity. Slipping into a jumpsuit was also easy and quick. Jumpsuits are comparable to dresses, except they have dividing fabric between the legs. Since dresses were so popular for women to wear, this was a great transition.
Women no longer felt forced to wear dresses to fit in with society. Today, jumpsuits are still very popular. They can be worn in the office as professional wear, but can also be worn to bars or social events. They’re some of the most versatile clothes that helped shape the 1970s.
Wrap Dresses
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 08: Melina Vidler attends the 2024 AACTA Industry Awards Presented By Foxtel Group at HOTA (Home of the Arts) on February 08, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
A lovely moment during the Feminist Movement was when women no longer felt the need to hide their entire bodies. Women deserve to freely dress the way they want to. The wrap dress came along as one of the newest pieces of fashion to become popular in the 1970s.
This dress allowed women to show off their figure. The idea of doing that wasn’t exactly popular or normalized for a long time. These dresses were a statement of acceptance and the changes that were occurring in society. While people were a little uncomfortable about it in the moment, wrap dresses are now one of the most common styles to see.
Roll Necks
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Unisex clothing started to take off in the 1970s. Before then, there was a clear divide between women’s and men’s clothing. One of the most popular trend-setting clothing item was the roll neck tops meant for both men and women. This type of sweater was something to wear to the office, to a party, or for going out with friends. They’re designed with either thick or thin material, making them pleasant to wear in any sort of climate. Roll necks can be worn with jeans, sweats, or any other type of pant.
Platform Shoes
11th January 1973: Patent leather polka dot platform shoes by Smerling Imports with miniature goldfish bowls inside the heels. (Photo by F. Roy Kemp/BIPs/Getty Images)
Instead of wearing uncomfortable heels to get a few extra inches, platform shoes comfortably provide that extra lift. Heels tend to have a skinny backing, while platform shoes have a thicker bases to stand on. They feel far sturdier. Platform shoes were unisex back then, so men easily added a few inches of height by rocking them.
On a professional level, it’s widely known the taller a person is, the more likely they are to be taken seriously for a career role. Casually, it’s nice to have the confidence of a tall person when going out and about – even if you’re naturally more petite.
Velvet Fabrics
English actress Sheila Hancock in a velvet jacket and cravat, UK, February 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Comfort and style was blended flawlessly when fashion designers started using velvet fabrics. This was one of the first times a different material was used in the production of people were wearing. Velvet was seen as a status symbol of the times. If you saw someone wearing velvet back then, they were probably a successful person. There are always different fashion trends that wealthy people align themselves with. In the 1970s, that trend happened to be wearing velvet fabrics.
Bell-Bottom Pants
Attendees dance at Hugh Hefner and Stan Hermans private club - Pips Disco and Backgammon Club in Beverly Hills, California, United States, March 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Another unisex piece of clothing that took over in the 1970s were bell-bottom jeans and pants. These jeans were wide open at the bottom, and in most cases, they even covered the person’s shoes. Jeans used to be considered the working person’s clothing. Bell-bottoms were worn at parties and social outings. Because they were unisex, people everywhere flocked to buy them. During the 1970s, they became one of the most beloved fashion trends of the decade.
Flared Pants
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The same style as bell-bottoms, flared pants are made from comfy materials and designed to spread open at the bottom. These pants could be styled however the person wearing them wanted. The vast amount of colors they were sold in gave consumers the chance to express themselves in a fun way.
While these couldn’t be worn in an office setting, it was normal to see tons of people wearing them while socializing with friends and going out. The comfort and style of flared pants are the reason people still adore them in 2024 after they first became popular in the 1970s.
Aviator Sunglasses
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Keeping your eyes safe from the sun is something society has always tried to do. In the 1970s, people loved accomplishing that feat with aviator sunglasses. This style uses thin pieces of metal that are incredibly lightweight on the face. They’re also a lot more affordable than a lot of the other sunglasses brands that were around in the 1970s. The price point one of the reasons they became so popular amongst consumers.
Tie-Dye
A group of hippie men and children sit in a park with tie-dyed tapestries on Earth Day, April 22, 1970. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Wearing tons of different colors became a staple in the 1970s. However, it was hard to figure out what colors should be prioritized on one singular shirt. The tie-dye style cut right through this. Rather than just having a few colors, designers could throw whatever they wanted on blank, white T-shirts.
From there, the colors would blend together in aesthetically pleasing ways. Because of how many colors are mixed on tie-dye shirts, it’s easy to match them with any pants or shoes. The same rules applies for other pieces of apparel as well. Tie-dye is one of the easiest ways of expressing yourself, which was hugely important in the 1970s.
Leather Jackets
There’s nothing quite like the confidence a leather jacket can bring a person. The feeling of comfort, style, and class is something only this type of jacket has. Before this, the only type of jacket that was seen as chic was a typical suit jacket. However, leather jackets are great pieces of clothing to wear when you’re out and about on the town. They’re durable and can withstand almost anything that gets splashed on them.
Crop Tops
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Another of the articles of clothing that came from the Feminist Movement is the crop top. This piece of clothing was shunned and frowned upon in previous decades because of how revealing it is. In the 1970s, crop tops were welcomed. They symbolized women having control and power over their bodies.
In fact, crop tops became so popular that they’re still considered trendy by 2024 standards. Style choices and fashion trends of the 1970s were undeniably iconic. What about modern day options, though? Click here to read more about trends that should go out of style in 2024.