The History of 70s Clothes
For a bit of perspective on the 1970s, consider that the population of the United States was just under 205 million, milk cost 33 cents per quart, and bread was just 24 cents a loaf. Mood rings, lava lamps and pet rocks were among people's favorite things. Antiwar sentiment was the prevailing mood. No individual, designer, design or theme dominated 1970s fashion, which reflected a sum total of them all.
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Anything Goes
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The 1970s were the "anything goes" years in fashion styles, folding in mega trends like the 1960s mini skirt, and introducing new styles to reflect the decade. Skirt lengths were both long and short. Granny dresses featured high necklines, frills and lace trim and by way of contrast, there were short, checked and flared skirts. Empire-style checked dresses were in vogue, alongside bell-bottom pants and hot pants. Evening wear included full-length empire maxi dresses, or evening trousers. Short and long halter-neck dresses also were popular. Classic chic was reflected in the American designer Roy Halston's ultrasuede and cashmere creations.
Faraway Influences
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New fashion ideas, fabrics and products from faraway places like China, Tibet, India and Africa became part of the American fashion scene, due to increasing world travel. By the mid-1970s, the caftan, kimono and djellaba (Moroccan garment) were familiar fashion, often edged in gold or silver metallic trim. Ethnic fashions extended to Tibetan and Chinese quilted jackets and voile dresses. Cheesecloth and cotton were the predominant fabrics.
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Laura Ashley
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In contrast to the general preference for polyester and other synthetic fabrics, Laura Ashley fashion favorites of the 1970s were mostly made of natural fabrics like cotton, and in soft floral and other prints reminiscent of Victorian and Edwardian themes. They represented a middle road in fashion that made a statement about the times without being over the top.
Annie Hall
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By contrast, the 1977 Woody Allen film, "Annie Hall," starring Diane Keaton, blazed a fashion trail for women who dared to dress differently. In the film, Keaton wore traditional men's clothes, from neckties with baggy pants to tweed jackets and derby hats, inspiring part of the decade's fashion history.
Disco
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Also in 1977, the film, "Saturday Night Fever," starring John Travolta, portrayed the disco dancing phenomenon of the 1970s. Stretch clothing was in, from spandex tops to Lycra pants. Light-reflecting fabrics were the rage, and they were selected for their ability to reflect the dazzling strobe lights in the discos and clubs frequented by the disco set. Under the spinning disco globes were satin jackets worn over open-neck shirts with turned-up collars, and stretch sequin tops paired with gold lame and leopard skin fabrics and hot pants.
Accessories
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Accessories of the 1970s were fashion statements. Clogs and platform shoes were the most popular footwear. Platforms measured up to four inches high, with many an ankle getting twisted in the process. An alternative was black patent shoes paired with white tights. Hand-braided friendship bracelets were made of yarn in a range of colors. Street sellers would fashion a custom bracelet while a customer waited. There were also macramé handbags from Greece, crocheted shawls from Spain and silk scarves from India.
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