Fashion operates in cycles – trends come and go, with new fads emerging through the lens of each generation. While every era’s style carries its own distinct aesthetic, not all looks withstand the test of time equally. The trends that truly endure often resurface again and again, being reworked and reinvented for fresh eyes.
This replay effect illustrates the heights of style greatness some decades have achieved. Yet other eras fade faster into the annals of dubious taste
While the poodle-skirt-and-Bermuda-shorts aesthetic of the 1950s was cherished by some, it hasn’t experienced a revival in contemporary fashion. In contrast, trends from the 1980s, known for their vibrant colors, bold patterns, and distinctive hairstyles, have endured for a more extended period. (Here, for instance, are some iconic fashion brands that no longer exist.)
Nevertheless, for a significant number of individuals, the timeless appeal of 1970s style remains unbeatable.
The styles of the 1970s extended well beyond bell bottoms. Ruffled blouses, long flowing maxi dresses, and tie-dye became defining elements of the decade. While tie-dye originated as a form of artistic protest in the 1960s, it gained significant traction as a fashion statement in the 1970s and has maintained popularity in each subsequent decade. Men’s fashion during this era often showcased wide lapels, vibrant colors, and unconventional materials such as corduroy and velvet. Floral patterns were a widespread trend embraced by both men and women.
24/7 Tempo chose a selection of images of fashion models, celebrities, and everyday people in the ‘70s, dressed for various contexts, from Getty Images to find photo proof that the ’70s had the best style. A majority of the people depicted are British, a reflection of the fact that the U.K. was an incubator for many fashion trends, beginning in the 1960s and continuing through the following decade.
Here is photo proof that the ‘70s had the best style
A model previews a maxi dress for 1970
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
A model previews a satin dress for 1970
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Two British male models in ’70s-style velvet suits
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
A glam rocker in a shiny jacket
Source: Tony Russell / Redferns via Getty Images
Source: Tony Russell / Redferns via Getty Images
English pop singer Adam Faith and his wife
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Twiggy (center) and two other models
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
The Pointer Sisters at the MIDEM festival in Cannes
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Model Lucienne poses as a glamorous secretary
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Three women having tea
Source: FPG / Archive Photos via Getty Images
Source: FPG / Archive Photos via Getty Images
English Sports commentator John Bromley
Source: Aubrey Hart / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Aubrey Hart / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Scottish soccer player Peter Marinello
Source: M. McKeown / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: M. McKeown / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
An Yves Saint Laurent shirt-dress
Source: Reg Lancaster / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Reg Lancaster / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Model Pip Billington in a mink coat
Source: Leonard Burt / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Leonard Burt / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
A women modeling ’70s fashions
Source: Frederic Lewis / Archive Photos via Getty Images
Source: Frederic Lewis / Archive Photos via Getty Images
An English model in white coat and gogo boots
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Teenage debutantes at a charity event at London’s Berkeley Hotel
Source: Douglas Miller / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Douglas Miller / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Modeling fur at London’s benefit Berkeley Debutante Dress Show
Source: Ian Showell / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Ian Showell / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Burberry Coats in London’s Trafalgar Square
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
An English model in a pleated dress with bishop sleeves
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Model Edina Ronay wearing a floral dress
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Rolling Stones Mick Taylor, Mick Jagger, and Charlie Watts pose in Paris
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
A model in London in culottes and a bolero top
Source: Reg Lancaster / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Reg Lancaster / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Actress Melita Clarke
Source: Joe Bangay / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Joe Bangay / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Uniforms designed for functionaries at the 1972 Munich Olympics
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
An English male model in a velvet suit
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
An English male model in striped blazer and fedora
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
British stars of the play “Born Yesterday” pose in a pub
Source: Dove / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Dove / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
James Brown in a leather duster
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
An English model in a sleeveless jerkin and patterned shirt
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Expectant mothers model pregnancy fashions
Source: Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Editors of the English underground magazine on their way to court
Source: Central Press / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Central Press / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Feline-fur coats modeled on a London street
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Photo of the band Chic
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Maurice, Barry, and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees
Source: Sydney O'Meara / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Sydney O’Meara / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Dancers at Rodney Bingenheimer’s English Disco, Los Angeles
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
British glam-rock group The Sweet at Heathrow Airport
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Cool styles in Los Angeles
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Hanging out at Rodney Bingenheimer’s English Disco, Los Angeles
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
A stylish couple in autumn fashions
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Keystone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Rod Stewart with The Faces at Heathrow Airport
Source: Dennis Stone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Dennis Stone / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
70’s Disco Trio Limmie and the Family Cooking
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Backstage at The Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
On the dancefloor at the Whisky A Go Go, West Hollywood
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Rock group the Bay City Rollers
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Models in summer dresses and sun hats
Source: Express / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Express / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Two women at a party
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
The R&B group The Dells in an office
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Dancing at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Groupie Lori Mattix (second from right) and friends at the Whisky A Go Go
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
Actor Richard Burton with then-wife Suzy Miller at Heathrow Airport
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images