Walk into any thrift store in Brooklyn, East London, or Silver Lake right now and you’ll see it. It’s hard to miss. We’re talking about a sea of corduroy, massive collars, and colors that look like they were pulled directly from a 1974 basement wood-paneling convention. Honestly, the 70's look for guys isn't just back; it has basically become the default setting for anyone who is tired of the minimalist, grey-scale "tech bro" aesthetic that dominated the last decade.
It's weirdly comforting.
The 1970s were a chaotic time for fashion. You had the hangover of 60s hippiedom crashing straight into the glitz of disco, all while working-class "tough guy" culture was clinging to denim and leather. It was loud. It was tactile. It was occasionally very, very brown. But if you look at modern collections from brands like Bode or Gucci under Alessandro Michele, the DNA of the Seventies is everywhere.
People think the 70's look for guys is just about looking like an extra in Almost Famous. It’s not. It’s actually about silhouette. We spent the 2010s wearing clothes so tight they looked painted on. The 70s offer the opposite: high waists, wide legs, and a sense of volume that actually lets you breathe.
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The Great Collar Shift and why your neck matters
If you want to understand the 1970s, you have to look at the shirt collar. Specifically, the "dagger collar." These things were aggressive. They were long, pointed, and often worn over the lapel of a blazer. While you don’t need to go full Saturday Night Fever to pull this off today, the return of the Cuban collar shirt is the modern gateway drug.
These shirts are everywhere now. They’ve got that flat, open notch collar that feels breezy. Think about the stuff Donald Glover wears. It’s a direct descendant of the knit polos and polyester button-downs of the mid-70s. The textures back then were wild—terry cloth, velour, and "action" polyester that probably shouldn't be allowed near an open flame.
Today’s version is a bit more refined. We’re seeing a massive surge in crochet shirts and lace-like knits. It’s a very specific vibe. It says, "I might own a record player, and I definitely know how to make a decent Negroni."
The color palette is where most guys get scared. We’re talking mustard yellow, burnt orange, avocado green, and deep rust. It sounds like a grocery list from a nightmare, but these earthy tones actually work incredibly well on most skin tones. They feel grounded. Unlike the neon 80s or the drab 90s, the 70s palette feels like it belongs in nature. Sorta.
The 70's look for guys and the death of the skinny jean
Let’s talk about the pants. This is usually the part where people hesitate. For twenty years, "good fit" meant "slim fit." The 70s throw that out the window.
The iconic silhouette of the era was the flare, but if you aren't ready to go full bell-bottom, the "bootcut" or "straight-leg" with a high rise is your best friend. High-waisted trousers do something magical: they make your legs look a mile long. If you tuck in a shirt—which you absolutely should be doing if you’re chasing this look—it creates a clean line that most modern fits just can't replicate.
Denim in the 70s was stiff. Raw. None of that stretchy spandex-blend stuff we see today. Real 14oz denim that took months to break in. Brands like Levi’s were leaning into the 517 bootcut and the 501. There’s a certain ruggedness to it. It’s the "Canyon Cowboy" look. You’ve got the denim jacket, the Western yoke on the shirt, and maybe some leather boots. It’s masculine but expressive.
Corduroy is the other MVP here.
Wide-wale corduroy trousers in a chocolate brown or a deep navy are basically sweatpants for grown-ups. They’re warm, they’ve got texture, and they look better the more they get beat up. In the 70s, corduroy suits were a legitimate choice for professors and rock stars alike. Today, breaking up a cord suit and wearing the jacket with jeans is one of the easiest ways to nod to the era without looking like you’re wearing a costume.
Footwear: From Wallabees to Western Boots
What do you put on your feet?
In the early 70s, it was all about the Clarks Wallabee. Originally launched in the late 60s, it exploded in popularity because it was just... comfortable. It has that crepe sole and a moccasin-style upper. It's the ultimate "I’m an architect but I also like weed" shoe. It’s still a staple today, especially in streetwear circles and among guys who want a break from sneakers.
Then you have the boots.
Stacked heels were huge. Not just for short guys, but as a style statement. The "side-zip" Chelsea boot with a slightly higher heel gives you a certain swagger. It changes the way you walk. When you pair a heeled boot with a wider trouser leg, the fabric drapes perfectly over the boot rather than bunching up at the ankle. It’s a clean, intentional look.
- The Sneaker: Adidas Gazelles or Nikes Blazers. Simple, low-profile, suede.
- The Loafer: Bit loafers or chunky lug-sole versions.
- The Work Boot: Think early Timberland or classic Red Wings.
The Suit: Why it got weird (and why it’s back)
Tailoring in the 70s was a reaction against the stiff, skinny "Mad Men" suits of the 60s. Everything got wider. Lapels reached toward the shoulders. Pockets became oversized patches. Materials changed to include double-knit polyester, which was marketed as the "miracle fabric" that never wrinkled.
It was a bit of a disaster for quality, but the style was undeniably bold.
Modern designers like Emily Adams Bode are revisiting this by using vintage fabrics—quilts, tablecloths, old linens—to create boxy, 70s-style jackets. It’s a rejection of the mass-produced, perfectly symmetrical suit. It feels human.
If you want to pull off a 70s-inspired suit today, the trick is the "spearpoint" collar and the unconstructed shoulder. You don’t want shoulder pads that make you look like a linebacker. You want something soft. Something that feels like a cardigan but looks like a blazer. This is the "Leisure Suit" legacy, minus the terrible shiny fabric.
Accessories are the secret sauce
You can’t do the 70's look for guys without the right hardware. This was the era of the "statement" accessory.
Aviator glasses are the obvious choice. Not the thin, Tom Cruise Top Gun ones, but the thick, acetate frames in amber or tortoise shell. Think Jeff Goldblum. These frames occupy a lot of real estate on your face, so they act as a focal point.
And then there’s the jewelry.
The 70s were big on "man jewelry." Gold chains (usually tucked under a shirt), pinky rings, and integrated-bracelet watches. The Tissot PRX or the Rolex Oysterquartz are perfect examples of that 70s "integrated" look where the watch head and the bracelet feel like one continuous piece of metal. It’s industrial but sleek.
Don't forget the belt. A wide leather belt with a brass buckle can literally hold an entire outfit together. If you're wearing high-waisted pants, the belt becomes a central part of the visual. It’s not just holding your pants up; it’s a border between your torso and your legs.
Grooming: The Moustache Renaissance
We have to talk about the hair. You can’t put on a corduroy blazer and a dagger collar shirt while sporting a skin-fade haircut. It just looks wrong. It’s a clash of timelines.
The 70s were about length. Not necessarily "long hair" in the hippie sense, but "more hair." Longer sideburns, hair covering the ears, and of course, the moustache. The "chevron" moustache—thick, manicured, and sitting just above the lip—is the definitive 70s facial hair. It’s a bold move. It requires confidence. But in an age of generic stubble, it’s a way to stand out.
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Why this look keeps coming back
Trends are usually cyclical, but the 70s feel different. Every decade since has borrowed from it. Why?
Probably because it was the last time men’s fashion felt truly experimental without being purely ironic. It was the birth of the "peacock" era. Men were allowed to wear pink, purple, fur, and silk without it being a big deal. There was a sense of freedom.
In a world where we spend most of our time staring at screens in joggers, the 70s look offers a bit of tactile joy. It’s fun to wear a heavy suede jacket. It’s satisfying to feel the weight of a wide-leg jean. It’s a vibe that says you actually gave a damn about getting dressed this morning.
Also, it's sustainable. The 70s were the golden age of manufacturing for many heritage brands. You can still find 50-year-old Pendleton flannels and Harris Tweed jackets in vintage shops that are in better shape than stuff you’d buy new at a mall today. Building a 70's look for guys often involves actual vintage pieces, which is better for the planet and your wallet.
How to actually wear this without looking like a disco parody
Nobody wants to look like they’re headed to a costume party. The key to the 2026 version of this look is "one at a time."
If you’re wearing the massive flares, keep the shirt simple. If you’re wearing a loud, patterned knit shirt, wear standard straight-leg chinos. You want to nod to the decade, not inhabit it entirely.
- Start with the shirt: Get a knit polo with a slightly longer collar. Wear it with your favorite jeans.
- Switch the denim: Trade your skinny or slim jeans for a "straight" or "relaxed" fit. Make sure the rise (the distance from the crotch to the waist) is higher.
- The Jacket: Look for a "trucker" jacket in suede or corduroy rather than denim.
- The Color: Swap one navy or grey item for something "earthy." A rust-colored sweater or an olive green pair of trousers.
The 70s look is about a relaxed, almost lazy elegance. It’s "The Dude" from The Big Lebowski meets Steve McQueen. It’s effortless, but only because you’ve chosen pieces that have a lot of character on their own.
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Actionable Steps to Nailing the Look
If you're ready to dive in, don't go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. That's a mistake. Start small and build the silhouette.
- Audit your waistline: Check your current pants. If they all sit low on your hips, find one pair of high-rise trousers. This single change will do more for the "70s vibe" than anything else.
- Hit the vintage shops: Look specifically for "Made in USA" labels from the 70s. Look for brands like Wrangler, Sears (their vintage "Kingswood" line is great), and Woolrich.
- Focus on texture: When buying new clothes, ask yourself "how does this feel?" If it’s flat and smooth, it’s not very 70s. Look for ridges (corduroy), loops (terry cloth), or visible weaves (linen/wool blends).
- Grow the "stache" (if you can): If you've got the facial hair for it, try the chevron. Give it two weeks. See how it changes the way you look in a simple t-shirt.
- The "Tuck" Rule: Start tucking in your shirts. Even t-shirts. If you have the right high-waisted pants, a tucked-in t-shirt with a belt is a classic 70s summer look that never fails.
Stop worrying about looking "outdated." The irony is that by leaning into a 50-year-old aesthetic, you'll likely end up looking more current than everyone else in the room. Quality, texture, and a bit of "don't give a damn" attitude—that's the real 70s legacy.