What Was the Style Of Clothing in the 70s?

The jersey wrap dress, designed by Diane Von Furstenberg and introduced in 1972, has continued to be a fashion staple. The 70s are famous not only for this flattering dress, but many fashion forward ideas and attitudes.  As the decade passed, styles changed and every season saw the introduction of more body-conscious attire.    

In the early 70s, fashion was a continuation of what was popular in the late 60s; mini-skirts, tie-dye and peasant blouses were the rage along with frayed jeans and bell bottoms.  Women also favored maxis, which were dresses that reached the floor, and both sexes wore jeans and pants that were very tight-fitting. 

Hot pants became popular in the early 70s, followed by British glam.  Inspired by British rockers like David Bowie, glam fashion was about glitter and shine; suits were lame’, makeup was bold and everyone had an imitation rabbit fur jacket.  Rhinestones adorned men’s shirts and every aspiring Beau Brummel wanted a Vintage velvet smoking jacket.  Disco was a natural fit with the flashy, glam styles.

Men and women wore platform shoes with soles that ranged from 2 to 4 inches.  Crop tops and wide flared jean were worn throughout most of the 70s with younger people favoring baseball jerseys and custom t-shirts with pithy comments.

A zippered jumpsuit was fashionable for men and women, as were Spandex pants and tube tops.  Leotards had exploded on the scene in the mid-late 70s, serving as layering pieces under sheer tops or standing alone.  Skinny cigarette pants were making an appearance by the end of the decade as well as the harbinger of punk fashion.