Look at your closet. Seriously, go open it. If you own a pair of high-waisted jeans, a silk scarf, or anything even remotely "boho-chic," you’re basically LARPing as a 1974 college student. It’s wild how much we obsess over fashion in the 70's pictures without realizing that the decade wasn't just about one specific look. It was a messy, glorious, polyester-filled transition from the rigid mid-century to the absolute chaos of the 80s.
People think the 70s was just disco. Wrong.
It was actually a decade of deep fragmentation. You had the lingering flower-child vibes of the late 60s bleeding into the early years, followed by the rugged "back to the land" movement, and finally, the razor-sharp edge of punk and the glitter of Studio 54. When you scroll through old film scans or family albums, you aren't just seeing clothes; you're seeing a society trying to figure out if it wants to be comfortable or glamorous. Usually, they chose both.
The Polyester Myth and What Really Happened
If you look at fashion in the 70's pictures, the first thing that hits you is the texture. Everything looks... itchy? Or maybe too smooth? That’s the double-knit polyester revolution. In 1972, DuPont was king. Polyester was marketed as the "miracle fiber" because you could wash it, dry it, and wear it without ever touching an iron. For a generation of women entering the workforce in record numbers, this wasn't just a style choice; it was a time-saver.
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But it wasn't all plastic fabric.
The early 70s were deeply tactile. We’re talking about heavy suede, corduroy with ribs so thick you could feel them from across the room, and crochet that actually looked like your grandma made it (because she probably did). The "Me Decade," as Tom Wolfe famously called it, was about individual expression. If you wanted to wear a floor-length prairie dress to buy groceries, you did. If you wanted to wear hot pants to a dive bar, that was fine too.
The silhouette shifted from the 60s "A-line" to something much more vertical. Think long. Think lean. The rise of the "Midi" and "Maxi" skirts meant that the mini-skirt, which had dominated the previous decade, was suddenly yesterday's news. Retailers actually struggled because women revolted against the Midi skirt at first. They wanted the freedom to choose their hemline. That’s a huge theme in 70s photography: the defiance of "The Look" in favor of "My Look."
Seeing Fashion in the 70's Pictures: The Celeb Influence
You can't talk about this era without mentioning Diane von Furstenberg. In 1974, she introduced the wrap dress. It changed everything. It was professional enough for the office but sexy enough for a date. It’s one of those rare garments that looks exactly the same today as it did fifty years ago.
Then you have the men.
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Looking at men's fashion in the 70's pictures is a trip. The peacock revolution was in full swing. Men were wearing pastels, floral prints, and heels. Yes, heels. Flaring wasn't just for women's jeans; "Bell bottoms" were the universal equalizer. If your pants didn't sweep the floor and hide your shoes, were you even dressed?
And the hair. My god, the hair.
The Farrah Fawcett "feathered" look required enough hairspray to punch a hole in the ozone layer (which, incidentally, they were starting to worry about back then). For men, the "mop top" gave way to long, flowing manes and sideburns that looked like they had a life of their own. It was a hairy decade. It was unmanicured. It was authentic in a way that our filtered Instagram world often fails to capture.
The Denim Explosion
Denim went from being "work clothes" to "high fashion" during this window. This is the era of Gloria Vanderbilt and Calvin Klein. Suddenly, having a name on your back pocket was a status symbol. In many fashion in the 70's pictures, you'll notice the denim is dark, stiff, and high-waisted. No stretch. None. If you wanted to get into your jeans, you lay on the bed and used a coat hanger to pull up the zipper.
It was a commitment.
- The Peasant Look: Inspired by European folk costumes, featuring embroidery and lace-up necklines.
- The Glam Rocker: David Bowie and Marc Bolan bringing sequins, satin, and platforms to the mainstream.
- The Safari Trend: Yves Saint Laurent made the safari jacket a staple for both genders—pockets everywhere.
- The Sportswear Rise: Tracksuits weren't just for the gym; they became legitimate loungewear thanks to the fitness craze starting to bubble up.
Why the Colors Look Like a 70s Basement
Ever wonder why every photo from 1976 looks like it’s been dipped in a vat of mustard? It wasn't just the film stock. The color palette of the 70s was intentionally earthy. We’re talking Harvest Gold, Avocado Green, Burnt Orange, and Rust.
Designers were reacting to the neon-bright Pop Art colors of the 60s. They wanted to get back to nature. This was the era of the first Earth Day (1970), after all. People wanted to look like they belonged in a forest, even if they were stuck in a cubicle in midtown Manhattan.
The lighting in fashion in the 70's pictures often reflects this mood—warm, hazy, and a bit grainy. It captures a sense of nostalgia even while it was happening. It was a decade caught between the optimism of the space race and the cynical reality of the energy crisis and Vietnam. The clothes reflected that tension. You had the escapism of disco sequins clashing with the utilitarian drab of military surplus jackets worn by protestors.
The Punk Pivot of 1977
By the time you get to 1977 and 1978, the "vibe" shifts. The softness of the early 70s starts to curdle. In London, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren are tearing clothes apart. Safety pins, ripped T-shirts with offensive slogans, and leather jackets start appearing in fashion in the 70's pictures.
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This was the antithesis of the "nice" polyester leisure suit. It was angry. It was DIY. It told the fashion industry to go jump in a lake. Ironically, the fashion industry just took those rips and safety pins and started selling them back to us for triple the price. Some things never change.
Actionable Ways to Use 70s Style Today
If you’re looking at these old photos and wanting to inject some of that soul into your 2026 wardrobe, don't go full costume. You don't want to look like you're heading to a "Disco Fever" themed birthday party.
- Focus on the Flare: Skip the extreme bells and go for a "bootcut" or a slight flare. It elongates the leg in a way skinny jeans never could.
- Embrace the Earth Tones: Swap your stark blacks and whites for chocolate brown, camel, or a deep forest green. It’s softer on most skin tones.
- The Power of the Scarf: A silk necktie scarf is the easiest way to channel 1975 chic without looking dated.
- Vary Your Textures: Mix something "hard" like a leather jacket with something "soft" like a crochet top. That contrast is the heart of 70s style.
- Check the Thrift Stacks: Real 70s garments were built differently. Look for union labels. If you find a vintage Pendleton or a Levi's "Orange Tab," you've struck gold.
The real lesson from fashion in the 70's pictures is that rules are meant to be broken. It was the last decade before fashion became totally corporate and hyper-fast. People wore what they felt, even if it was a lime green leisure suit with a wide collar. There's a bravery in that.
Maybe we could use a little more of that "anything goes" energy today. Stop worrying about "core" trends—Cottagecore, Barbiecore, whatever—and just wear the big sunglasses because they make you feel like a movie star. That’s the most 70s thing you can do.