1970 to 1980

The 1970s can be called Decade of Decadence, the ‘Me’ decade and the decade of excess and androgyny. Women emerged in the work place tenfold. Pantsuits, day wear, and separates with a sense of masculine style as echoed in the film ‘Annie Hall’ created a sensation with Diane Keaton wearing a fitted vest with a collared white shirt and men’s neckties. Skirts could be seen in a variety of lengths, mini midi or maxi! The maxi dress was worn throughout the decade in a multitude of styles and shapes. Rich earthy tones dominated in popular colors; warm browns, burgundy, rust, mustard, and avocado green. Television shows such as Charlie’s Angels featured the smart and liberated but sexy woman. The California sun-kissed blondes Cheryl Tiegs and Farrah Fawcett represented the new sporty and physically fit ideal.

The Woodstock festival of peace and music was the end of the 1960s hippie movement, with the U.S. still at war. The hippie flower child look from the late 1960s carried over into the first half of the decade in a nonrestrictive bohemian silhouette with a heavy folksy influence. Thea Porter celebrated ethnic styles in Indian style prints, free flowing breezy gauzy tent dresses and wide legged pants. Arts and crafts elements such as tie-dye, batik, knitwear, crochet and macramé were also very popular. There was a great sense of ease and comfort to early 1970s clothing. Designers like Laura Ashley and Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax popularized the prairie dress phenomenon.

Blue jeans emerged in the 1970s as everyday wear. Denim was being mass consumed by all ages and seen as the ultimate American garment. Jeans were flared, bell bottom, wide legged, hip huggers, high waist, embroidered, embellished, studded – you name it! Denim was was not just limited to pants: jean skirts, suits, vests, jackets, hats and accessories were omnipresent. Designer jeans were seen as a status symbol and the more expensive, the more desirable! A tighter, second skin fit with designer names such as Gloria Vanderbilt, Calvin Klein, Jordache, and Sasson were branded across the backsides of men and women everywhere. A far cry from the dungarees of years past!

Glam or glitter rock brought on to the scene flamboyant boldly colored clothes in lux fabrics like satins, velvets and lurex. Emblazoned with sequins, bedazzled, gemmed and worn with feathered boas! Nothing was too outrageous. Super high stacked platform shoes or boots were the favored footwear. Pop star David Bowie, as alter ego Ziggy Stardust, sported over-the-top androgynous outfits both on and off the stage. Avant garde designer Kensai Yamamoto was responsible for the otherworldly costumes for the 1973 ‘Aladdin Sane’ tour. Glitter rock stars of the the time such as Kiss, Marc Bolan, The Sweet and the New York Dolls were dandy dressers in chiffon, spandex and satin. Glitter trends in makeup were worn on the face by both men and women. Stores such as Granny Takes a Trip and Biba had multiple locations in the U.S. and the U.K that catered to the teenage audience and rock stars alike.

Disco brought excess and decadence. Designers and celebrities partied with the beautiful people at the infamous nightclub Studio 54 in New York City known for its overt drug use and bacchanalian carousing. Bob Mackie was often called the ‘Sultan of Sequins’ and dressed Cher and other stars in body-baring glamorous costumes. Designer Roy Halston’s draped jersey goddess dresses, kaftans and Ultrasuede were the perfect party clothes for a glamorous night of sin. Quiana polyester was wildly popular and was used in day dresses, shirts, blouses and evening wear. Cheaply made tight fitting body conscious clothing could be seen in any discotheque. Wrap-around skirts, leotards, tube tops, dance wear inspired dresses and separates with ease and movement were made in Lurex, miliskin and spandex. Film star John Travolta wore a white 3-piece suit with black shirt in the blockbuster movie “Saturday Night Fever”. Diane Von Fursternberg popularized the uber flattering jersey wrap dress, which became a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.

Punk fashion evolved alongside the musical genre out of open disgust for the status quo, the modern political agenda and the slick overproduced overtly commercial mainstream that rock music had become. Punk rock stripped rock and roll down to basics. Punk was gritty, dangerous and offensive. The clothing represented a darker and harsher view of reality and dissatisfaction with the ideals of conformity.

English punk visionaries Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren opened the infamous shop SEX/ Seditionaries on Kings Road and ultimately deconstructed British fashion, mixing X-rated silk screens, bondage gear, vinyl, rubber and the ubiquitous safety pin with iconic English fashions such as plaid kilts and tight stovepipe trousers
Across the pond the American punk look was stripped down to basics, exemplified by bands like the Ramones, Blondie, and Richard Hell and the Voidoids preferring a more laid back look with tight jeans,
leather motorcycle jackets, sneakers, and ripped t-shirts.

Written by carlaandcarla

Next 1980 to 1990
Back Fashion Timeline

1970s Gunne Sax dress

Courtesy of vintagedevotion

1970s India velvet & mirror caftan

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s Adolfo silk dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1970s BH Wragge dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1970s Courreges wool jumper

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s Rudi Gernreich knit dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1970s embroidered gauze skirt

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s crochet flare pants & top

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s Emilio Pucci dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s Emilio Pucci silk gown

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s Emilio Pucci dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s Emilio Pucci jersey dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s Paganne Aztec print dress

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s Gunne Sax maxi dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1970s Gunne Sax dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1970s Lanz maxi dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1970s Goldworm dress and scarf set

Courtesy of clubvintagefashions

1970s Chessa Davis maxi skirt

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970s Malcolm Starr carousel felt skirt

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s Alfred Shaheen outfit

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s his & hers Hawaiian set

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1970s Andrade dress

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970s cheetah top w/ matching hat

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s Ricky Ann set

Courtesy of denisebrain

1970s Geoffrey Beene 'Beene Bag' set

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s Louis Feraud dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1970s Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s Pia ja Paula wrap dress

Courtesy of joules

1970s jersey gown with wrap

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s Anne Klein linen dress

Courtesy of denisebrain

1970s Halston chiffon dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

1970s Halston silk wrap dress

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1970s Valentino silk dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s Pierre Balmain silk gown

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1970s silk maxi dress

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s silk chiffon gown

Courtesy of bijou

1970s Sonia Rykiel sweater

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s Chester Weinberg suit

Courtesy of pastperfectvintage.com

1970s Landlubber bell bottom jeans

Courtesy of carlaandcarla

1970s Levis denim jeans

Courtesy of anatomyvintage

early 1970s Roberta de Camerino coat

Courtesy of kickshawproductions

1970s Victor Costa jacket

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970s sequin coat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s Gucci raincoat

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s suede jacket

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing.com

1970s jacket

Courtesy of magsragsvintage

1970s Fashionbilt wool coat

Courtesy of joules

1970s Lilli Ann jacket

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s patchwork leather jacket

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s suede fringe jacket

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s suede poncho

Courtesy of pinkyagogo.com

1970s John Hort handbag

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1970s Boticelli platform shoes

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970s Cheetah platform shoes

Courtesy of fallsavenuevintage

1970s peeptoe platform shoes

Courtesy of vivianbellevintage

1970s Fratelli leather shoes

Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

1970s Halston heels

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970s boots

Courtesy of stellarosevintage

1970s suede boots

Courtesy of bigyellowtaxivintage

1970s malachite cuff bracelet

Courtesy of thevintagemerchant

1970s brooch

Courtesy of thevintagemerchant

1970s malachite spider brooch

Courtesy of thespectrum

1970s costume squash blossom set

Courtesy of myvintagecocktail

1970s Rafael Alfandary copper necklace

Courtesy of pinkyagogo

1970s Tibetan beaded necklace

Courtesy of sweetmelissasvintage

1970s Mondrian inspired earrings

Courtesy of thevitnagemerchant