Fashion from the 1970's

The 1970’s were a time for bright colors and high shoes. Styles were very electric and were known for their patterns of bright colors such as, circles, stripes, and just blocks of colors in general. Platform shoes gave shorter men the height that they needed to be considered normal. In the 1970’s, bigger was better. Big hair was in, whether it be permed, stacked, packed, teased, moussed, or curled, the bigger the hair the better it

was. The big hair trend also continued into the 1980’s. T-shirts took on a new role within this decade. In previous years t-shirts were used as undershirts, now they began to be used to show off popular sports teams and just to wear around town. The 1930’s and the 1940’s were also in. Many teenagers rummaged through thrift shops looking for just the right look from past decades.

Women’s fashion styles in the 1970’s were very flamboyant and casual.  Women’s styles changed constantly over the decade.  There was extreme color, long flowing skirts, and dominating suits.  Don’t forget the flare pants, which often reached flare sizes of about 32 inches.  In the 1970’s, women began to have the option to wear whatever they desired.  Women’s liberation movement had taken off and women were not going to stand to wear what society forced on them.  During the 1970’s, women stopped wearing bras and corsets as a sign of rebellion.  Women started to wear similar styles as men.  Pants became a large hit, as well as suits.  Summertime styles included short-shorts and skin tight T-shirts, showing off most of the woman’s body.  The finishing touch was the long, natural hair style.  Celebrities such as Liza Minnelli and Jackie O. largely influenced women’s fashion.  The two helped make Halston, a designer in the 1970’s, popular in the fashion world.    It was a time for women to speak out and express themselves, however they chose. 

 Men’s Fashion changed abruptly in the 1970’s. This was the first decade that men had so many different choices for clothing. The trends ranged from low-rise bell bottoms all the way to track suits. The style became messier during this decade as men began to have more facial and chest hair, their hair was longer and their shirts were untucked. The leisure suit became popular during this decade due to John Travolta’s hit “Saturday Night Fever”. The leisure suit became known as the “disco” look that everyone has come to know today. Low-Rise bell bottoms got tighter and tighter as the 1970’s progressed and it was common to see them paired with platform shoes. The gold-medallion also made a statement; it was often worn with a V-neck shirt if the man didn't have any chest hair.

Influential designers during the 1970’s included Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Geoffrey Beene.  Yves Saint Laurent had many daytime styles, including mostly mid-level cuts, but also mid-calf and ankle length skirts.  Laurent also brought tube dresses into the 1970’s fashion style.  Oscar de la Renta brought extravagant, feminine, and romantic style.  He focused on detail, which allowed for women to still look elegant even when they were making a movement.  A quote by Oscar de la Renta that seemed to sum up his fashion sense is, “Being well dressed hasn't much to do with having good clothes. It’s a question of good balance and good common sense, a knowledge of who you are and what you are.”  Geoffrey Beene provided balance and decreased bulk around the waist by using smock-like shirts with slim skirts or straight leg pants.  Calvin Klein entered in refer coats.  Ralph Lauren’s Polo logo became a hit, as he introduced a large amount for women’s wear that were similar to the men’s styles.  Tailored shirts, polo mesh shirts, oxfod bottom-down shirts, and denim became popular with the Ralph Lauren Company during the 1970’s.  Other influential designers included Giorgio, Armani, Gianni Versace, Piero Dmitri, and Halston.  The 1970’s decade allowed designers to design a similar look that would appeal to both men and women.

The 1970's were a time for women to truly express who they were for the first time. They no longer listened to what society had to say. Many of the designers could create styles that interested both men and women alike. During this decade men's and women's fashion seemed to overlap one another. 

Sarah Rup and Tiffany Behuniak

Ethical Questions: 

• Is it socially acceptable for men and women to dress alike?
• Is it ethical for women to make such a stand by not wearing bras and corsets?
• Did women create the style of the 1970's? (by helping the designers of the decade)

References

http://www.retrowaste.com/

http://vintagefashionguild.org

http://www.polosport.org/ralph-lauren-in-the-1970s/

http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~mwaltos/lis506/project/1970s/fashion.html

http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-189_t-508_c-1883/nsw/history/australia-s-social-and-cultural-history-in-the-post-war-period/social-and-cultural-features-of-the-1970s/fashion-in-the-1970s