Fashion Trends From the ’70s That Are Unlikely to Come Back

Fashion trends are cyclical and if you just wait a few decades, your old clothes will soon be the height of fashion. That applies to some of them, but not all! There are fashion items that turned out to be so uncomfortable or inconvenient that they never make a comeback. Others were only popular because of their novelty value and that cannot be repeated. Then there are some that are not considered morally acceptable anymore because people's ideas and standards have changed.

The 1970s was a remarkable decade. There was the Civil Rights movement, the Watergate scandal, and the premiere of the first Star Wars movie to name just a few. It was also a very stylish decade, and here are 50 photos that prove that the 70s had the best style.

In reality, some trends deserve to be left in the dust. Several fashion fads from the 70s certainly don't deserve to resurface at any point in time. We've uncovered a few. To compile this list of fashion fads from the '70s that mankind will likely never see again, 24/7 Tempo consulted several fashion-forward sources. These include Who What Where, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Fashion Week Online, and Glamour.

Corduroy was an hugely popular fabric during the '70s – everyone had at least one pair of corduroy trousers in various colors. However, it soon fell out of fashion and was regarded as not cool! We also came up with lots of alternative fabrics for pants and these days you hardly ever see it worn.

In the 2020s, people like their shirt collars to be small or non-existent. We don't like such a prominent feature close to our face. That was not the case in the 1970s when people couldn't get enough of huge collars – the bigger the better! There has been no indication of them making a come back ever since though.

The laid back surf-dude look was as popular in the 1970s as it is now but people achieved it in different ways. While we now go for leather bracelets and tattoos, trend setters in the 1970s sported puka shell necklaces. They soon fell out of favor and were only worn by children. These days, hardly anyone wears them at all.

Knee-high socks may be great for keeping your legs warm but, as a fashion statement, very few people can carry them off. That did not stop everyone trying to do just that in the 1970s. These days, we are far more likely to wear leggings with ankle socks. Occasionally you see someone with knee-high socks but it is not the norm.

The 1970s was the age of the knitted tank top – otherwise known as a 'vest'. They soon became associated with being 'boring' or 'square' and fewer and fewer people wanted to wear them. Despite their practical advantages (they keep you warm), there has been no significant come back ever since.

Body piercing has been around for thousands of years but it was in the 1970s that unusual piercings became popular. Prior to that decade, the majority of people would only consider having their ears pierced. This was the decade when we became accustomed to lips, noses, eyebrows, and ears being adorned. It will never have the same shock value again as it did back then.

Ponchos were hugely popular in the 1970s, everyone had one – adults and children. They could be made out of several fabrics but wool was popular. Some came with hoods and they could be in any color. Interestingly, they have never made a come back and it is unusual to see someone wearing one in the 2020s.

The excitement about space-themed clothing was high in the 1970s but soon faded and it is hard to see how it will be recaptured as it is not a novelty anymore. Fascination with space travel, aliens and all things Sci-Fi is limited to the hard core fans. The mainstream fashion world has moved on.

Floppy hats were huge in the 1970s – literally. However, once you owned one, you found out just how hard they are to wear. They also take up a lot of space when you take them off so people tended to get fed up of them. You still see them for sale but they have never returned as a 'must have' fashion item.

Fans of the heavy metal music scene and bikers have always worn studded belts but in the 1970s, we all had one! They may make you look tough but they are heavy and things can get caught on hem. Teens shopping at stores like Hot Topic tried to bring studded belts back in the early 2000s, but they realized why the teens of the 70s ditched them in the first place.

Shrink tops are tiny little vests, often made out of wool, that barely fit over the shirt you are wearing under them. Even though they are small, they dominate your outfit. It is a classic 1970s look but is not that comfortable and has never returned to the fashion mainstream.

Yarn swimwear (or crochet as it is called in some parts of the world) was a popular choice during the 1970s. It looks pretty cool but is not practical as the fabric does not cling to your shape in the same way as lycra. It has not returned but there are more modern versions now available that combine yarn with synthetic fabrics. You get the advantages of both.

Ascots are a type of neck wear that was made popular in the 1970s. They are a little like a wide, folded scarf. the aim was to look preppy and classy. They are very rarely seen in the 2020s, although other neckware, such as scarves, are still widely worn – even when it is not cold.

Suspenders, also called braces in some parts of the world, started off as a practical item. They were used to hold up pants before belts and elasticated waists were invented – and were hidden by a jacket. In the 1970s, someone decided that they should be on display and people wore them over jumpers and shirts. They were available in a range of colors and styles. You rarely see them these days.

Solid white dress shoes and boots were considered chic and classy back in the 70s. These days, people are more likely to view them as tacky! they're far too outdated. They are also hard to keep clean and soon look scruffy. Darker colored shoes are much more popular.