It goes without saying that the 1970s has a rich fashion history – I mean, the emergence of disco would warrant nothing less. The fashion landscape was eclectic - from crochet-clad hippies and edgy punks to free-spirited bohemians and lavishly dressed Studio 54 clubbers.
Halston, Gucci, Fiorucci, indeed...
© GettyWhat type of fashion was popular in the 1970s?
Interior design colour trends saw a surge in preference for earthy tones - think avocado green, rusty orange, soft mustard and jute brown. This was reflected in the fashion of the age and various corduroys, velvets and paisley fabrics were coloured accordingly. But that's certainly not the whole story, disco clubbers championed lustrous metallics, which looked incredible on the dance floor on account of their light-reflective qualities.
Print-wise, geometrics were popular, as were bold, stylised florals, nodding to the 'Flower Power' movement.
Shapes veered away from the straight up-and-down shift silhouette that dominated the previous decade, and towards a looser, more flowy silhouette.
© GettyThe exciting period birthed a new crop of style icons, and the likes of Cher, Jerry Hall, Diana Ross, Bianca Jagger and Grace Jones epitomised the height of glamour with their lavish costumes and clubbing 'fits.
Wanting to give your current wardrobe a 1970s-themed overhaul? Keep scrolling…
H! Fashion shares the 1970s fashion trends that we still love in 2023:
Flares
© GettyWorn by both women and men, flares defined 1970s dressing. With their super wide shape, bell bottoms were particularly adored, and as it happens, the trouser style is currently experiencing something of a revival right now. Suffice to say, we're totally here for it. Perhaps it's the Daisy Jones & The Six effect, or merely that we as a collective have recognised the cut's eternal ability to flatter, but we love how a cinched-in waist is accented by a beautiful, flowy lower leg.
Fluffy coats
© GettyWith an emphasis on texture, outerwear included fur (often faux) and sheepskin. Afghan coats were particularly fashionable, having arrived in the UK in 1966. The style, aesthetically derived from the traditional overcoat worn by Afghan people, was sold in hippie boutiques.
Afghan coats tend to be made from sheepskin, featuring fleece on the inside and a soft suede on the outside. Penny Lane is the most obvious source of 1970s outerwear inspo - and for excellent reason.
Waistcoats
© GettyAnother hippyish style staple, waistcoats are great if you're looking to master the art of layering. Trying a heavy-duty shearling version with embroidered detailing or a glitzier design with light-reflective embellishment. Layer over a sleek polo jumper and team with tinted round shades and a mane of wavy locks for maximum impact.
Halter tops
© GettyHalter tops were worn by retro cool girls, often as part of laidback ensembles. High-necked versions often featured backless designs, and crochet also played a key part for a hippyish feel. But there's something especially dramatic about a major plunge à la Farrah Fawcett that works perfectly for evening wear.
Jumpsuits
© GettyThe quintessential disco clubber took the jumpsuit under their wing in the 1970s, and designers such as Halston and Yves Saint Laurent gave the all-in-one a seriously glam upgrade. Metallic styles featuring deft drapery and super flowy palazzo pants emerged on the dance floor, but in more casual settings, denim versions reigned supreme.
Chunky clogs
© GettyThe clog – one of fashion's most controversial footwear styles loved by the likes of Sienna Miller and anyone who sat front row at Chloé's F/W25 show. Love them or hate them, clogs were a staple for those part of the counterculture. Popular designs included wooden heels with metal studs and they were often paired with the aforementioned classic flared jeans – groovy!
Platforms
© GettyIt was the age of disco, which meant one thing: platform heels. Shiny, glamorous versions ruled the dance floors, created by the likes of legendary British footwear designer Terry de Havilland. But even in everyday life, more rustic wooden styles were still hugely popular on account of the bohemian trend.
Peasant dresses
© Photo: Getty ImagesSuper floaty dresses reigned supreme in the 1970s, with the peasant style taking centre stage. Full, billowing sleeves and wide skirts, often alongside with square necklines, harked back to the 'peasant' silhouettes historically worn by the lower classes.
Floaty shapes
© GettyWorlds apart from the shift shape of the previous decade, the 70s silhouette was all about flow. Wide skirts and bell sleeves crafted from floaty chiffons and sheer meshes added an ethereal touch.
Silk scarves
© GettyA chic silk scarf will forever be in style, and in the 1970s it was a key part of the accessory arsenal. Heralded for its versatility, it can be used to secure a ponytail, worn around the neck (a young Princess Anne pulled it off with panache) or tied around a shoulder bag. Another retro favourite was wearing it as a head accessory à la Jackie O.
Aviator glasses
© GettyThis style of glasses was hugely popular in the 1970s, as seen on the likes of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Originally created to fulfil a practical purpose - the shape was designed to cover the entire field of vision to allow pilots maximum visibility - aviators are indisputably cool.
Oversized collars
© GettyLarge, pointed collars were all the rage for both women and men, and they injected shirts with a splash of drama. Often layered under wide lapel jackets, the vibe was go big, or go home.
Wrap dresses
© GettyWith Diane von Furstenberg as its greatest advocate, the wrap dress flourished in the 1970s. The Belgian designer created her iconic jersey piece at the beginning of the decade and it was wildly popular. Her label reportedly sold five million wrap dresses in 1976, and she became a household name.
