Remember when fashion meant freedom, fun, and a whole lot of flair? The 1970s brought us some of the most iconic styles that still influence today’s runways. As a fashion historian who lived through the bell-bottom revolution, I’m thrilled to take you on a groovy trip down memory lane. Get ready for a radical fashion flashback that’ll have you raiding vintage shops faster than you can say ‘disco fever’!
1. Bell-Bottom Jeans
If you didn’t own bell-bottoms in the ’70s, were you even living? These flared denim wonders started narrow at the knee before dramatically swooshing outward, creating that iconic silhouette we all adored.
Mine were so wide I could hide my platform shoes underneath them completely! The wider the flare, the cooler you were—that was the unwritten rule of the playground.
2. Platform Shoes
Though walking in these towering beauties required the balance of a tightrope walker, we gladly risked twisted ankles for the added height and disco-ready style. My favorite pair added a whopping four inches to my petite frame!
Whether in colorful suede, glittery finishes, or bold patterns, these chunky-soled statements were essential for any girl wanting to stand tall in the fashion scene.
3. Peasant Blouses
Floating into fashion consciousness alongside the hippie movement, these loose-fitting, embroidered tops embodied the decade’s free-spirited vibe. With their billowy sleeves and bohemian embroidery, peasant blouses became my summer staple.
Where did we wear them? Everywhere! From rock concerts to school hallways, these comfortable yet feminine tops paired perfectly with both jeans and flowing skirts.
4. Midi Skirts
Unlike today’s midi skirts, the ’70s version hit that awkward spot between knee and ankle, creating a distinctly retro silhouette that somehow worked brilliantly. Frequently paired with knee-high boots, these skirts swished dramatically with every step.
My prized possession was a burnt orange corduroy number that made the most satisfying swish-swish sound as I walked down school corridors.
5. Feathered Hair
Farrah Fawcett didn’t just star in Charlie’s Angels—she revolutionized our hair routines! Her iconic feathered flip became the hairstyle every girl coveted. Hours were spent with round brushes and blow dryers attempting to recreate those perfect wings.
My mother actually limited my bathroom time because I’d spend forever trying to get those face-framing layers just right. The struggle was real, but oh-so worth it!
6. Mood Rings
Before emoji status updates, we had mood rings—those magical color-changing accessories that supposedly revealed our inner feelings. Of course, mine always seemed stuck on black (stressed) or blue (relaxed), regardless of how I actually felt!
However scientifically dubious, these trendy trinkets were absolute must-haves for playground credibility and provided endless entertainment during boring math classes.
7. Hot Pants
Daringly short and wonderfully scandalous, hot pants pushed the boundaries of acceptable hemlines and gave our mothers collective heart attacks. Despite their name, these micro-shorts were often worn year-round, even with tights in winter.
My velvet purple pair caused quite the stir at family gatherings! Paired with knee-high boots and a confident stride, hot pants embodied the decade’s bold approach to fashion.
8. Tie-Dye Everything
If it wasn’t tie-dyed, was it even from the ’70s? This psychedelic coloring technique transformed ordinary garments into wearable rainbow explosions. My summer camp became a tie-dye factory where white t-shirts went in and technicolor masterpieces came out.
From shirts to socks, no fabric was safe from our dye-happy hands. The messier and more colorful your creation, the more fashion points you earned among your peers.
9. Chunky Wooden Clogs
Clunky, noisy, and utterly impractical for running—yet we couldn’t get enough of wooden clogs! These Dutch-inspired shoes clacked loudly through school hallways, announcing your arrival before you even turned the corner.
Despite their notorious discomfort and blister-inducing tendencies, I stubbornly wore my favorite pair until the wooden base actually cracked in half. Fashion pain was definitely a thing!
10. Crocheted Vests
Handmade was all the rage, and nothing said “crafty cool” like a crocheted vest layered over… well, practically anything! Grandmothers suddenly became fashion consultants as we begged them to create these colorful, often granny-square patterned garments.
Mine featured an ambitious rainbow design that took my aunt three months to complete. These homespun treasures represented the decade’s embrace of handicrafts and personalized style.
11. Friendship Bracelets
Long before BFF necklaces, we knotted colorful embroidery floss into intricate patterns, creating wearable symbols of our playground alliances. The more bracelets stacked up your arm, the more popular you clearly were!
Making these became an art form—I could weave a chevron pattern with my eyes closed by seventh grade. Worn until they literally fell apart, these handmade treasures were sacred bonds not to be removed.
12. Wrap Dresses
Thank you, Diane von Furstenberg, for creating the most flattering garment known to womankind! The wrap dress emerged as the ultimate day-to-night solution—professional enough for work yet stylish enough for disco afterward.
The genius was in its simplicity: a single piece that tied at the waist, creating an hourglass silhouette on virtually every body type. My first DVF knockoff made me feel like a sophisticated grown-up at just fifteen!
13. Maxi Dresses
Floor-sweeping and fantastically dramatic, maxi dresses floated through the decade with their billowing fabrics and bold prints. Perfect for twirling on dance floors or creating a bohemian silhouette at outdoor concerts.
My favorite was a paisley-printed number that made me feel like a folk-singing goddess! These flowing frocks represented the era’s rejection of the mini-everything from the previous decade.
14. Floppy Hats
Wide-brimmed and wonderfully dramatic, these face-framing accessories added instant bohemian credibility to any outfit. Whether in felt for winter or straw for summer, the floppier and wider the brim, the better!
I saved babysitting money for weeks to buy a camel-colored felt version that made me feel like a mysterious film star. These statement-making toppers completed our carefully crafted ’70s personas.
15. Eyeshadow Up To The Brows
Subtle makeup? We didn’t know her in the ’70s! Eyeshadow was applied with gleeful abandon from lashes all the way to eyebrows, preferably in blue, green, or purple hues.
My mother nearly fainted when I emerged for school with azure shadow swept dramatically upward. This bold approach to eye makeup perfectly complemented the decade’s equally bold fashion choices and disco lighting.