BLAST FROM THE PAST: THE 1970s!

MINI SKIRTS, MOOD RINGS, BELL-BOTTOMS, PLATFORM SHOES, DISCO GLAM ROCK—a time to rebel, a time to act carelessly, a time for hipsters to be free, and disco to be born, ONLY IN THE 70s.

1970s fashion saw a continuation of the unruly mini skirt and pushed the limits to a whole new level where women had the freedom to wear what they truly wanted. Fashion was spreading worldwide and new trends were being set.  Fashion ranged from extremely long to excessively short with the introduction of new fabrics and patterns. Men wore high waisted trousers, tight shirts and long moustaches.  In the 70s fashion was diverse and continually changing yet always had an element of shock!

A period of liberation for WOMEN

We saw a strong movement in fashion for women in this era as they broke the norm. Bras and corsets were condemned as symbols of oppression and conformity and were rejected by the majority.  Women took to their own advantage this newly found freedom and began to wear traditional male clothing such as baggy trousers, jackets, oversized shirts, ties and hats. From the 1960s, women continued the bell-bottoms, mini skits and long hair but also embraced midi or free flowing maxi skirts as well as the introduction of THE hotpant.

Big Bold and Brave for MEN

The Hippie style continues for men and Big bright ties and fitted shirts with collars were embraced. Men grew long beards, side burns and moustaches and let their hair hang long. Bell-bottoms and flares were exaggerated and high waist pants. There were major campaigns for bells pants and they became quickly recognised worldwide. 

Era of the DISCO

Popular music genre ‘disco’ spread and its own fashion craze began. Young people congregated in nightclubs dressed in new disco clothing which was designed to show off the body and shine under dance floor lights. Made from stretch fabrics like lycra and spandex and decorated with shiny sequins. Women shone in short ‘hotpants’ body suits and towered in platform shoes while men wore revealing open neck satin shirts and flared trousers. This style was immortalised in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever staring John Travolta further popularising this disco look. 

Overall the 70s was a time where almost anything was accepted, for many the uglier, brighter and chunkier the better off and for others the simpler and more feminine the better- yet no matter what, it was a time to make a statement. It was a strong unbridled time, with various cultures and subcultures coming into the open at once. Pessimism abounded as militant feminism, Civil Rights, the Watergate scandal, and the Vietnam War brought gritty reality to the forefront. These influences gave designers new ammunition, and the public was eager for the latest fashion wave.