Groovy Or Gauche?
The 1970s gave us some of the most fashionable people of the 20th century, from Donna Summer's disco glam to Stevie Nicks' witchy boho. While some trends like wide-legged jeans and feathered hair have been slowly creeping back into the mainstream, others have quaking with fear in our platform boots. Here are 10 hallmarks of 70s style that definitely don't need a revival.
1. Paisley
Paisley patterns evolved from Persian textiles, first popular in the West in the 18th centuries. In the '60s/70s, paisley—especially iconic red bandanas—went from cowboy chic to a symbol of the working class. If you'll allow us to be petty, just this once, we think that paisley looks tacky in large doses.
2. Tie-Dye
This psychedelic dye technique first gained popularity in the late 1960s as a symbol of counterculture that pervaded through the next decade. Nobody can deny that tie-dye is a fun activity, and one of the most accessible ways to customize clothing. We're saying that there's a reason you hardly ever see tie-dye worn outside of summer camps.
3. Polyester
With the rise of fast fashion, the last thing this planet needs is more synthetic clothes to rot in landfills! Not only is polyester one of the least breathable fabrics you can wear, it also accounts for 35% of all microplastics in the world's oceans. If there's one fabric trend we should borrow from the Seventies, please let it be the natural fibers used by flower children.
Moonstarious Project on Unsplash
4. Safari Jackets
Safari jackets never truly went away, they just reinvented themselves as the ever-present green military jacket of the 2010s. Originally 19th-century military uniforms for warm climates, safari jackets became fashionable for women thanks to YSL launching a designer version in 1968. Today, these jackets give more colonial than cool.
5. Slip Dresses
You probably think of slip dresses as a '90s closet staple, but they were actually on the radar two decades before! These slinky, shiny dresses evoke the sexiness of underwear with the glam of 1930s bias-cut gowns. Unfortunately, we think that slip dresses look unfinished, no matter how you dress them up.
6. Denim Skirts
We're thinking of one denim skirt in particular: A-line, buttoned to the knee, possibly made of a patchwork of fabrics. While nobody can argue that this is a fantastic way to reuse old denim, it brings to mind a very specific look. The look in question? A hippy-dippy 7th grade supply teacher.
7. Headscarves
Obviously we're not talking about headscarves worn for religious or cultural reasons. We mean the "headband" style of scarf worn knotted at the side over long, loose hair. To put it bluntly, it's giving pirate.
8. Earth Shoes
Earth shoes were developed in early 1970 using unique "negative heel technology", meaning that the sole was thinner at the heel than the toe, so one could claim the health benefits of walking in sand. Is there any truth to this? We have no idea. Earth shoes were brought back in 2001, but without the signature negative heel, what's the point?
Photography, Scan and postprocessing by Hubertl on Wikimedia
9. Mood Rings
Mood rings were one of the more woo-woo trends of a highly spiritual era. Rather than reflecting the wearer's inner feelings, mood rings reacted to changes in temperature. We'll always associate this with preteen girls about to discover nickel allergies.
10. Tracksuits
The beginning of the athleisure boom, tracksuits got their start in 1967, and experienced a boom over the next decade. Tracksuits never truly went out of style, but the velour matchy-matchy Adidas set looks especially dated. Who knows, maybe in a few years, we'll scorn the matching sets of today just the same.
Now that we've gone over some trends that should stay in the past, here are a few that should be revived.
1. Corduroy
"The poor man's velvet", corduroy was inescapable in the 70s and for a good reason! Not only is it ultra-cozy, but it's durable enough to take a beating and comes in fun colors! Between the color possibilities and the intellectual quirk, we wouldn't be surprised if corduroy came back like never before.
2. Prairie Dresses
One of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century was that Gunne Sax didn't make dresses in adult sizes. More demure prairie dress have been popping up since the cottagecore movement of 2020, but we want to go all out! We're talking lace and ruffles and big collars and dreamy sleeves for a romantic Pre-Raphelite fantasy.
3. Turtlenecks
We don't think turtlenecks have ever truly gone out of style, especially around autumn, but we'd love to see some of the '70s styling methods come back. Whether worn with a jumper dress and tights for a youthful look or under a long coat for sleek sophistication, ladies of the '70s just made turtnecks look cool.
4. Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits—especially those in sparkly synthetic fabric—have sadly been relegated to cheap disco costumes. We think that's a shame. The '70s were a strong era for androgyny, best exemplified by fierce feminists rocking oversized coveralls.
5. Pantsuits
Speaking of androgyny, pantsuits were a huge part in helping women feel more comfortable in the workplace. Power-dressing is all the rage right now, so ladies in suits aren't anything new; however, we can't say we'd mind seeing more of them. Bonus points for going full Diane Keaton.
6. Halternecks
Few people embodied the sizzling spirit of the '70s as well as Cher in her custom—and extremely flammable—Bob Mackie gowns. Combined with a cascade of hair, and you have a look that's a little sexy, a little playful, and a lot of fun. Halternecks are perfect for going-out tops.
7. Afghan Coats
Also known as Penny Lane coats, these long cozy coats were launched into the mainstream after the Beatles sported them. Iconic, warm, and comfortable enough to live in, Afghan coats are just thr right type of gaudy. The audacious fur trim and embroidered accents elevate any look.
8. Cowboy Boots
Giddyup, partner, we're bringing cowboy boots back. While a lot of women pair cowboy boots with maxi skirts for maximum boho chic, we think cowboy boots really shine when paired with some wide-legged pants. The chunky heel and pointed toe box keep feet from getting swallowed up by voluminous bell bottoms.
9. Hotpants
When Mary Quant launched a line of hotpants in the late 1960s, she meant for them to be modesty shorts. Instead, they became a controversial symbol of female sexuality. Paired with matching tops, as part of playsuits, or with funky tights and tall boots, we definitely think there's room for an appropriate hotpants resurgence.
10. Tonal Dressing
Color-blocking is a big trend right now, especially for formal or athletic wear, and we hope some of that hype will lead to a resurgence of tonal dressing. Tonal dressing is sleek, chic, and cohesive. It's also a great way to dress seasonally.
