Wayback Wednesday: 1970s Fashion

Wayback Wednesday: 1970s Fashion

Although mostly remembered for its big hair and bell-bottom pants, the 70s saw a gamut of fashion styles during the decade. In fact, fashion during the times was so varied, Vogue reported, “There are no rules in the fashion game now.”

In the early 70s, the “hippie” look of the 1960s carried over and women work frayed jeans, bell bottom pants (including “elephant bells”), midi skirts, maxi dresses, tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos. Accessories included chokers, headbands, scarves, and jewelry made of wood, stones, feathers, and beads. (Don’t look now, I think that’s coming back!) Pastel colors were very popular, especially baby blue, yellow, mauve, and peach, the latter being my husband-to-be’s go-to choice. Men’s outfits were generally bright colors and textured in corduroy, paisley, wool, or crushed velvet for special occasions. And don’t forget the plaid!

Women who didn’t like the hippie style wore clothing inspired by the 1940s movie star glamour and

included cloche hats or turbans, pearl earrings and necklaces, feather boas, and black-veiled hats. Some actually search for vintage clothing from the 30s and 40s. Intriguingly, sweaters played a large part in early 1970s fashion from sweater coats, sweater dresses, floor-length sweaters, and even sweater suits (just because you can doesn’t mean you should!). Some were even trimmed with faux fur. Shawl-collared, belted cardigans were popular.

Then the mid-1970s hit and the Hippie look fell out. Casual became the watchword with fitted T-shirts being popular, often with elaborate designs, slogans, or sports logos. As women flocked to the workforce business styles became more tailored with blazers, midi skirts, fitted blouses, and high heels. If you remember John Travolta’s character in Saturday Night Live, you know what men’s fashions looked like by 1975.

Thanks to Travolta, the Disco style took fashion through the late portion of the decade with its wide-lapeled three-piece suits and flared pants. Women wore jersey wrap dresses, tube tops, sequined shirts, shorts, and high-slit skirts set off with boots or chunky heels. As the 1970s came to an end, clothing became baggier and more revealing. Cowl-neck shirts, sundresses over T-shirts, pantsuits, and strapless tops became the rage. Colors shied away from pastels to earth tones with brown, tan, and gray being the most seen. Sportswear for men became the alternative to Disco attire. Tracksuits, jumpsuits, puffer vests, and low-top sneakers were the rage.

What is your favorite 1970s look?

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Dial S for Second Chances

Can years of hurt and misunderstanding be transformed into a second chance at love?

Jade Williams agrees to be on the high school reunion committee because the-one-that-got-away is out of the country and won’t be home in time to attend the festivities. Now, he’s not only home, but joined the committee. Is it too late to back out or can she set aside forty-five years of regret and pretend she isn’t to blame for her broken heart?

One of the downsides of being rich means fielding requests for money and favors. But when an old high school buddy contacts Derek Milligan to be on the reunion committee as just one of the gang, no strings attached, he can’t resist. At the first meeting, he’s dismayed to find himself sitting next to his former high school sweetheart. He should be angry. Instead, he’s attracted. Can he risk his heart a second time?

Reunion festivities include calling into to WDES’s program No Errin’ for Love with fake relationship problems. When both use their real situation, the stakes are raised higher than either imagined.

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