60 Photos That Prove the ’70s Was the Most Stylish Decade
Everyone knows the saying “what comes around, goes around,” and in fashion it rings true time and time again. Trends reappear decades later, ready to influence a new generation with beloved styles of yesteryear. The ‘70s fashion trends—much like the ‘60s fashion trends—are no exception. Fifty years later, the decade of disco is showing up everywhere. For example, the slim sneaker style is having a resurgence now— with Adidas Sambas being top choice of many. Hot pants, as seen in ELLE’s 2023 Biggest Fashion Trends, are having a major comeback, and platform shoes are the footwear of choice for many.
One of our favorite parts of fashion is deciding how to incorporate trends into your own personal style. While you’re free to leave trends in the past (we won’t judge!), you might be inclined to incorporate some styles into your wardrobe from an era that served as inspiration and innovation for decades to come. Here, some oldies but goodies from the 1970s to inspire your next outfit choice.
A trouser suit by Yves Saint Laurent from February 1970.
Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 1970 collection
Models wear tights in June 1976.
American model Pat Evans wears oversized hoops.
A model wears a velour jumpsuit by the ocean in Assateague Island, Virginia in 1971.
Christian Dior presents his “Diorling” collection on Jan. 14, 1970.
Bianca Jagger, Krissy Wood, and Lorna Luft attend a Rolling Stones’ concert in 1975.
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour features a performance by Dionne Warwick in 1970.
Harlequin-style trousers from March 1970.
A model poses in the Hamptons in 1972.
Ali McGraw wears a bohemian maxi dress and lace-up sandals on June 5, 1970.
Mick and Bianca Jagger at their wedding at the Church of St. Anne in St. Tropez on May 12, 1971.
Fashion models in brightly colored sports coats with matching hats and slacks from Guy Laroche’s fall/winter collections (1971-1972).
Portrait of Italian actress and model Daniela Bianchi wearing a long printed dress in 1971.
Madonna in New York City, 1979.
Activist, journalist, and feminist leader Gloria Steinem attends a fundraiser and rally for California State Senate candidate Catherine O’Neill (in checked dress) on Oct. 15, 1972 in Los Angeles, Calif.
American singer and showgirl Lola Falana stands on the stage of the TV show Hai visto mai? in Italy, 1973.
The Shirelles perform on The Midnight Special in 1973.
Diana Ross poses for a portrait session on July 16, 1975 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Lauren Hutton at the 47th Academy Awards at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1975.
Diana Ross at the second annual Rock Music Awards on Sept. 18, 1976.
Vicki Hodge drinks champagne in London in 1970.
In a 1977 episode of Charlie’s Angels, Farrah Fawcett wears a plaid blazer and flared jeans.
A woman wears leopard print in 1979, in Los Angeles.
An editorial image of model Iman taken in 1977.
Cher poses wearing a Bob Mackie creation on April 9, 1978 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Disco star and model Grace Jones in 1977.
Cher poses in another Bob Mackie design on April 9, 1978 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Jane Forth models in 1971.
Grace Jones wears a tiger-print outfit at the Park West in Chicago on Oct. 14, 1978.
Billie Blair models Oscar de la Renta in 1974.
American punk rock band Blondie in 1979. Clockwise from top left: guitarist Chris Stein, singer Debbie Harry, bass player Nigel Harrison, drummer Clem Burke, guitarist Frank Infante, and keyboardist Jimmy Destri.
Cher is seen at Studio 54 in NYC.
A patchwork maxi dress.
Farrah Fawcett is seen on set in 1977 in Los Angeles.
Dionne Warwick in the ’70s.
Goldie Hawn stands in a front garden, circa 1970.
The Pointer Sisters in Cannes, France.
British model Twiggy wears a white ankle-length dress with a fitted apron on the front, modeled after an ecclesiastical surplice, circa 1970. It was designed by Bill Gibb.
A fashion editorial from the ’70s.
The Millinery Institute of America showcases wide-brimmed hats.
A crochet beach set inspired by Maltese fishermen’s nets.
Caroline Delevingne in a poncho, Earl Peel in a fur coat, and Suzanne Scott in a tiger skin coat trimmed at the bottom with white fur.
Two looks from a collection by iconic fashion designer Courrèges.
Models wear jackets in New York City, 1973.
Portrait of an unidentified model, dressed in a matching brocade trouser suit and hat.
Vicki Hodge wears a Loris Azzaro spider web dress in 1972.
Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg and her then-husband, Austrian prince Egon von Furstenberg.
Italian TV presenter, actress, singer, and showgirl Raffaella Carrà wears a fringed swimsuit.
Model Hazel sports a patterned mini playsuit and platforms from Ossie Clark’s “Quorum” show in London.
Models wear trousers in the UK, 1972.
Twiggy and husband Justin de Villeneuve give a lesson in summer streetwear in July 1970.
Barbra Streisand channels a ’70s working girl on the set of The Owl and the Pussycat (1970).
Donna Summer delivers floral and fur, circa 1976.
Meryl Streep redefines the chic morning walk in New York City, outside of the Public Theater in 1979.
Pam Grier glamorously lounges poolside in Los Angeles, circa 1975.
1972, the UK, models wear jeans and hats.
Olivia Newton-John smiles behind a pair of oversized sunglasses, circa 1970.
Diana Hanworth and Denise Healey, models, are seen in babydoll dresses in 1973.
Carrie Fisher complements her natural surroundings in denim and a pair of western-inspired boots in 1978.
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