Retro ’70s Styles That Are Best Left in the Past

Like many decades before and after, the 1970s was a remarkable decade with many significant and impactful events. From the Civil Rights movement, the end of the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal to the premiere of the first Star Wars movie and the Beatles breaking up, it was a time for change, and clothing was no exception.

Fashions ranged from tie-dye, and prairie dresses to bell bottoms, mini skirts, and jumpsuits. The now-infamous wrap dress, popularized by designer Diane von Fürstenberg got its start in 1974 and disco made platform shoes and extravagant dresses fashionable. Fashion trends are often cyclical and like many fashions of the day, have made a comeback, but unlike the stylish wrap dress, some retro '70s styles are best left in the past.

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 retro '70s styles that are best left in the past, 24/7 Tempo consulted several fashion-forward sources. These include Who What Where, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Fashion Week Online, and Glamour. (It was also a very stylish decade, and here are 50 photos that prove that the 70s had the best style.)

Corduroy was a 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 uncool. 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 comeback ever since.

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 comeback and it is unusual to see someone wearing one now.

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 with 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, mostly everyone had one. They may make you look tough but they are heavy and things can get caught on the 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 neckwear 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 neckwear, such as scarves, are still widely worn – even when it is not cold.

Suspenders, also called braces in some parts of the world, started 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 because they're far too outdated. They are also hard to keep clean and soon look scruffy. Darker-colored shoes are much more popular.