Ah, the 1970s. The decade that gave us the bold, vibrant prints and flowy fashion styles that are in vogue even today. It was the era that broke fashion out of its rigid mold, turning it into a tool used to express individuality.
From bell-bottoms and tie-dyes to crochet tops and flowy dresses, the ‘70s was truly an iconic decade for fashion.
Whether you want to relive your teen days of trying to look as cool as possible, or simply want some inspo for a 1970s-themed party, we got you. Here are the most iconic ‘70s looks, with authentic yearbook photos from the Classmates® archive.
| Key Takeaways – The polyester decade: Polyester entered mainstream fashion and became the go-to fabric for all kinds of clothes. – Iconic ‘70s fashion trends: Bell-bottoms, over-the-knee boots, halter-necks, crop tops, hot pants, wrap dresses, and band t-shirts were some of the 1970s fashion trends that could be found in every woman’s wardrobe. – Bold fashion choices: All of ‘70s fashion choices were also bold self-expression and moving away from conservative styles of previous decades. – Earthy tones and florals: Hippies preferred earthy tones, floral patterns, and homemade styles, such as crochet and tie-dye. – Major fashion movements: The clothes of this decade were heavily influenced by anti-establishment movements. |
The 30 Best Women’s Outfits That Defined the ‘70s
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Most of the clothes that became popular among women in the 1970s were ones that exuded comfort. They were soft, and made movement easy. Think prairie dresses and athletic wear.
There were also styles that screamed rebellion, such as metallic garb and sequins. The only fashion rule that the ‘70s followed was that there were no rules. Let’s look at 30+ women’s outfits from the 1970s that we still love to wear even today.
Bell-Bottom Jeans
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These pants with fitted thighs and a wide flare at the bottom were a fan-favorite ever since they were popularized by The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. They came in all types of materials and colors and could be paired with a variety of tops and shoes. The most popular pairings, though, were slim-fitting tops and platform boots.
The relaxed fit of bell-bottoms made them great dailywear. Remember the swish, swish, swish sound they made?
Hot Pants
Bert Verhoeff / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Those short shorts that you love wearing during the summer? They were considered dressy back in the 1970s, and were often paired with matching form-fitting tops and knee-high boots.
Hot pants were part youth rebellion against conservative dress codes, and part disco garb because they made it easy to dance. Southwest Airlines even made hot pants their uniform for air hostesses!
Tie-Dye
Anna Hanks from Austin, Texas, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Nothing says freedom and peace quite like tie-dye, which emerged during the hippie culture and was popularized by celebrities like Janis Joplin. They were colorful with their psychedelic patterns, versatile, and could be made at home. But, most importantly, no two tie-dye pieces were the same, giving people the individuality they sought.
Crochet Tops
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Like tie-dye, crocheting your own colorful tops was very anti-establishment and free-spirit oriented in the 1970s. It was part of the hippie and bohemian cultural movements that shunned conventional fashion and celebrated individuality, particularly with handmade clothes.
If you ever wore a crochet top layered over a tank top, then you know what the vibe was all about!
Wrap Dresses
The Heart Truth, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The wrap dress, which was first designed by Diane von Furstenberg, soon became a cult favorite. Not only was it comfortable to wear, it was also stylish and flattered various body types.
Whether you needed something to wear on your first date, or walk the stage during your high school graduation, the trusty wrap dress was always there to bail you out.
Halter-Neck Tops and Dresses
Bollywood Hungama, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
We can thank the rise of disco culture and the feminist movement for the revival of halter-necks. All you had to do was pair a well-fitting halter-neck top with matching bell-bottoms, and you were ready to swish your way onto the dance floor and dance the night away in style!
Animal Prints
Jamie, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In the 1970s, animal prints on clothes became a symbol of fierceness, adventure, and individual empowerment, and were most common among punk-rock enjoyers. Be it a lion, cheetah, or a zebra, all types of animal stripes could be converted into prints.
Debbie Harry, the rockstar from the group “Blondie,” was one of the celebrities who favored animal prints. A few others who helped its popularity include Cher, Pam Grier, and Anita Pallenberg.
Corduroy Trousers and Jackets
George Eastman House, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Corduroys were a fashion staple of the ‘70s, especially among students and the working class. They were comfy, practical, and affordable, not to mention soft and plush. They also gave off a laid-back vibe, which was crucial to the counterculture movement.
Corduroys were also versatile and required little maintenance. Wear a corduroy jacket over your t-shirt and jeans, and you were instantly dinner-ready!
Tube Tops
Roshangaha, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
While the tube top had already been around for a couple of decades as beachwear, this sleeveless, stretchy piece of clothing became a fashion statement in the 1970s. They became popular among disco-goers and in feminist circles because tube tops were considered a “daring” choice.
If you stepped inside a 1970s disco club, you would see a lot of women rocking sparkly tube tops with wide-flared pants.
Prairie Dresses
English: National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
High necks, puff sleeves, with long, flowy skirts featuring ruffled tiers, often made in floral patterns. These were the characteristics of the bohemian-style prairie dresses of the ‘70s.
You’ll often find the words Gunne Sax dresses and prairie or bohemian dresses used interchangeably as these types of dresses were often made by the Gunne Sax brand. Hillary Clinton’s wedding dress? A white, Victorian Gunne Sax!
Leather Jackets
Magdalena Roeseler, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
What’s a rebellious movement without a leather jacket? It’s cool, edgy, and so very punk-rock. Indeed, this piece of clothing became mainstream because of the British punk rock wave. Rockstars like Joan Jett and Debbie Harry were wearing them, which meant so were the rebels.
The leather jacket of the ‘70s was often modified with patches, pins, and buttons as a way of self-expression.
Over-the-Knee Boots
Nesrin Sanad, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Boots that reached your thighs, coupled with a mini dress or hot pants, became one of the boldest looks of this decade. And, once again, we have the iconic Debbie Harry to thank for that!
These boots were often made using suede or leather, and commonly came in shades of black and brown.
Band T-Shirts
Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Up until the ‘70s, t-shirts weren’t really considered proper outerwear. But, with t-shirts featuring bands such as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones, all that changed. If you added a leather jacket on top of your tee? You were the very definition of cool!
Wearing a t-shirt with your favorite band on them was a way of expressing your love for them. And, with so many punk, metal, and rock bands emerging during this time, it also became a way of aligning yourself with the anarchist movement.
Denim on Denim
Adam Jones Adam63, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The all-denim look might be cringe now, but it was all the rage in the ‘70s. Teenagers who paired denim bell-bottoms with denim tops (or coats) were a common sight. You could either match the whole outfit, or mix and match the types of acid washes.
A lot of teens also customized their denim pieces by embroidering on them, sewing patches on them, and decorating them with pins.
Kaftan Dresses
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Of course a decade that eschewed restrictions would embrace the free-flowing kaftan with its breeziness and rectangular silhouette! While they were a staple in Africa and the Middle East, they entered the Western fashion scene in the ‘70s.
Women loved the bold prints, relaxed fit, and the undercurrent of luxury these dresses gave.
Sequins
Michael Alpert, Public Relations, N.Y., photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, but you can’t deny that there’s something oh-so-glamorous about sequins. These shimmering discs bring a level of oomph to the outfits, and the disco culture of the ‘70s was all over them.
Be it jumpsuits, tops, pants, or dresses, sequins came to define the party life during the decade. The way they reflected the disco lights made the wearer feel as if they were alive.
Floppy Hats
State Library of New South Wales collection, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons
Big, floppy hats were an important accessory of the ‘70s boho culture. Often paired with flowy dresses, or halter-necks and bell-bottoms, these wide-brimmed hats gave off a very laid-back and playful look. They also doubled up as great sun protectors!
Jumpsuits
Rester Jaune magasine (France), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Jumpsuits make for a relaxed, yet bold outfit. They can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion. And they can be fashioned out of pretty much any material. How many other outfits can boast the same?
In addition to all of these, jumpsuits gave ‘70s women a cool, fashion-savvy look. And, of course they sported flared legs.
Platform Shoes
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Fancy a pair of footwear that have heels that make you look like you’re standing on a small platform? The ‘70s sure did! They were more comfortable than stiletto heels and had the added bonus of adding a dramatic flair to your outfit.
Wear platform shoes with a flared-leg jumpsuit, and you would be the height of 1970s fashion.
Athletic Wear
Skaja Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The spillover of athletic wear into mainstream fashion was due to the fitness boom, where celebrities like Jane Fonda began promoting exercising. Moreover, in a decade that was all about comfort, there was nothing more comfy than athleisure.
Sweatshirts, leggings, leotards, and sports bras became quite popular. In fact, the sports bra was invented during this decade!
Go-Go Boots
Allan warren, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The go-go boots were a borrowed fashion aesthetic from the ‘60s, but with modifications. In the ‘70s, the boots were often knee-length and made using polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which was cheap and made them accessible to everyone.
These boots often had square toes and block heels, and were perfect for wearing with hot pants and mini dresses.
Headscarves
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If you subscribed to the carefree attitude of the boho culture, it was practically a rite of passage to pair your flowy, floral prints with a headscarf. Like tie-dyes, headscarves also had colorful prints, and looked great with the long, wavy hairstyles of the ‘70s.
You could fashion them as a bandanna or tie them around your neck for a sleek look.
Crop Tops
Skaja Lee from Valencia, España, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
These midriff-baring short tops were everywhere in the ‘70s. Women either wore crop tops that were designed as crop tops, or made their own by tying a huge knot on the front of shirts.
Crop tops went well with a variety of bottoms, especially bell-bottoms and hot pants. No wonder they were popular.
Satin Slip Dresses
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The satin slip dress was soft, comfortable, and figure-hugging. It also made you feel (and look) like a million bucks. Like sequins, these shiny dresses were made to be worn under the disco lights, which explains why they were a favorite of nightclub attendees.
Shearling Coats
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A shearling coat is made with sheepskin with the wool still attached, making it an amazing insulator. While they were originally used by pilots, in the 1970s, they became a fashion statement and a symbol of counterculture.
You could see shearling coats with and without fringes. It helped that these coats were popularized by stars like Led Zeppelin.
Clogs
Picture taken by Kuchen., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Clogs were chunky with wooden soles, and super durable. Crucially, though, clogs had that “back to nature” and “handmade” aesthetic that really resonated with the hippies. The Swedish music group ABBA wore them, too!
These shoes were often worn with flowy bohemian maxi dresses, bell-bottoms, and long skirts.
Mini Skirts
State Library and Archives of Florida, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The craze for mini skirts started in the previous decade, but continued in the ‘70s. They were yet another symbol for female empowerment and against conservative women’s fashion.
With the invention of PVC, the skirts only became more colorful! They were often paired with over-the-knee or go-go boots.
Oversized Sunglasses
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The bigger the better. That was the mantra for ‘70s sunglasses. Considering the fact that it was a decade of extravaganza, this is no surprise. Technically, it was the celebrities that made this trend come alive as they wore huge sunglasses to shield their eyes from paparazzi.
And if your sunglasses were bigger than your face? That just gave you an extra layer of coolness.
Pantsuits
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In the 1970s, more women were entering the workforce. This called for clothes that exuded comfort and professional ambition. Enter: the women’s pantsuits, which became armor in fabric form. They broke stereotypes, blended comfort with style, and gave rise to the boss lady look.
Spandex and Lycra Pants
Dancewear Central, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The rise of activewear brought fabrics like spandex and lycra to the forefront. These pants were stretchy and hugged your legs. They also had a plastic-y look to them that found a perfect home among the disco halls.
What Were the Trendy Fashion Movements That Defined the ‘70s?
Fashion in the 1970s became all about shedding societal expectations. They were daring, experimental, and screamed freedom. Of course, like all trends, clothes inspired by these movements made it into the halls of high schools, too.
Here were the fashion movements that this decade came to be known for.
Bohemian Aesthetic
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The boho “flower child” aesthetic was all about softness, femininity, and comfort. It came into being because of the hippie counterculture movement. Followers of this movement embraced the laid-back styles and preferred earthy tones, florals, and flowy dresses.
Disco Fever
Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Mexico City, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Disco clubs were originally started as inclusive spaces where people of all kinds were welcome. They were places of escapism from the economic uncertainty and societal norms.
Shimmering sequins, shiny satin slip dresses, bell-bottoms, jumpsuits, and go-go boots were the name of the game.
Glam Rock Androgyny
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Rock music and rockstars (like David Bowie) heavily influenced the glam rock androgyny trend. It was all about theatrics, flamboyance, heavy makeup, and rejecting conventional gender norms.
Punk
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In a direct contrast to glam rock, punk-inspired clothing gained popularity. This style was all about aggression, confrontation, and in-your-face style choices, such as leather, safety pins, rips, and patches.
Look Back on ‘70s Fashion Styles with Classmates
Phew! That was a truckload of memories, huh? If you lived through the ‘70s, that must have brought back a lot of memories. (We know that you rocked those bell-bottoms!)
Whether you want to bring back your ‘70s wardrobe (we hear that it’s cool now), or just want to take a stroll through old pictures, Classmates has got you! With over 480,000 yearbook archives, you can browse for your own or check out what celebrities looked like as teens.
Register for free to get started.
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