Updated date:

Nov 13, 2019

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s

Author:

1970s fashion was bold, even when it was simple, because 1970s people were bold.

I REALLY Love 1970s Fashion

Well, I am often told that I look like I stepped out of the 1970s, and I can fully see that.

I wear a lot of floppy hats, palazzo pants, paisley prints, maxi dresses, boots, big sunglasses, long vests, and other clothing, accessories, and prints popular at the time. My hair is long and flowing, usually very natural, and I typically have very 70s bangs.

I'm in a rock n' roll band (Odds Fish) that plays rock music very much inspired by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Queen, Rush, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones (who were all big in the 70s), and I am very much inspired by diverse fashion icons of the 1970s as well, such as Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, Cher, David Bowie, Freddy Mercury, Diana Ross, Debbie Harry, Robert Plant, Ali MacGraw, Grace Jones, Bianca Jagger, Diane Keaton, Mick Jagger, and more.

I can't help it... I just LOVE the 1970s!

Do you see any 70s inspiration in these looks?

The History of 70s Fashion

When I decided to create this list of "70 Fashion Trends of the 70s," it was not that hard for me to recall the hot trends because I myself do seem to live them! Plus, I am pretty well versed in my history (at least when it comes to what influenced fashion!)

In the 1970s, fashion was mostly influenced by musical genres (punk, glam rock, psychedelic rock, etc.) but people also took cues from other sources of entertainment as well. Television shows like Charlie's Angels had a big impact on people (I mean, the Farrah Fawcett haircut is basically equivalent to the 90s popular haircut "The Rachel," for reference) but it wasn't just TV influencing fashion trends. Movies such as Mahogany, Annie Hall, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease all had impacts on the popular fashion looks of the day (with Grease in turn supporting a 1950s and rockabilly revival). Fashion models and style icons of the time also influenced the public: people like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Lauren Hutton, Beverly Johnson, Iman, Janice Dickinson, Jerry Hall, Cheryl Tiegs, and more fashionistas made the 1970s a time of fierce, powerful, fashion that was as fun as it was important!

I say important, because many 70s looks can be considered steps forward, for feminism, for example.

But even though I do know a lot about 1970s fashion, I may have somehow missed some big ones, so if I did, please let me know in the comments section below.

Now, I present to you the 70 fashion trends of the 70s!

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (1-10)

(in no particular order)

1. Floppy Hats
2. Platform Shoes
3. Jumpsuits
4. Wrap Dresses (which debuted in the 70s!)
5. Bell Bottoms and Bell Sleeves
6. Crop Tops / Tube Tops / Tops Tied to Show Off the Belly
7. Boots (Thigh High/Knee High/Ankle Boots/Cowboy Boots, etc.)
8. Both Fitted and Flowing Button Down Shirts
9. Denim Shirts and Jackets
10. Fur and Shearling Coats, Vests, and Stoles

Shoes like these were ALL the rage in the 1970s!

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (11-20)

(in no particular order)

11. Corduroy (Pants, Jackets, Overalls, etc.)
12. Hot Pants
13. High-Waisted Pants and Skirts
14. Patchwork Clothing
15. A-Line Skirts
16. Ruffled Shirts (Victorian and Edwardian Revival / "Teddy Boy" Revival)
17. Peasant Tops/Skirts/Dresses
18. Flutter Sleeves (Shirts and Dresses)
19. Neck scarves/Ascots
20. Headbands/Headscarves/Turbans

Scarves were a BIG Part of 1970s fashion. Popular scarf designs included bold, bright colors and patterns, paisley prints, chevron stripes, sequined designs, and patterns inspired by psychedelic art and nature.

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (21-30)

(in no particular order)

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (31-40)

(in no particular order)

31. Nehru Jackets
32. Mood Rings
33. Palazzo Pants
34. Pearls
35. Sweater Dresses
36. Vests (Especially Long Vests)
37. Big Hats with Flowers on Them (Victorian Revival)
38. Babydoll Dresses
39. Suede
40. Farrah Fawcett Hair

Farrah Fawcett had some insanely popular hair in the 70s!

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (41-50)

(in no particular order)

41. Long Sleeved Mini Dresses
42. Vests, Coats, and Boots with Fringe
43. Moccasins
44. Graphic T-Shirts
45. Birkenstocks
46. Tie-dye
47. Colored Lens Sunglasses
48. Rhinestones
49. Lots and Lots of Lace
50. Feather Boas

Feather boas were fun fashion accessories in the 70s!

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (51-60)

(in no particular order)

51. Men's Leisure Suits
52. Terrycloth Shirts
53. Neckties
54. Long, Flowing, Natural Hair
55. Bangs
56. Belts (Leather, Braided, Bright Colors, etc.)
57. Pastels (Especially in Suits)
58. Bold Prints, Bright Colors, Big Patterns (Paisley, Chevron, Flowers, etc.)
59. Crocheted Items
60. Ponchos

As PonchoMeg, the modern bohemian, I love ponchos!

And coming up, the final 10 of the 70 Fashion Trends of the 70s!

70 Fashion Trends of the 70s (61-70)

(in no particular order)

61. Maxi Dresses
62. Cloche Hats (1920s Revival)
63. Looks Inspired by Musicians (Rock, Punk, New Wave, Rockabilly, Glam Rock, Folk, Psychedelic Rock, Jazz, Disco, etc.)
64. Izod /LaCoste Polo Shirts
65. Newsboy Caps
66. Knit Caps with Pom Poms
67. Over-sized Sunglasses
68. Strappy Sandals
69. Big Hoop Earrings
70. Afros

That's All, Folks!

There you have it - 70 fashion trends of the 1970s. Were there any surprises? Were some of you taking a stroll down memory lane? Who is inspired to steal some of these treasured looks? And what 70s fashions did I miss? Let me know in the comments below!