FASHION
70's Trends Are Back, But They Never Left
By: Maya Merante Edited by: Bella Gallus
Velvet, patterns, platform shoes, shearling coats, boho-chic jewelry, flared jeans and countless other trends have once again resurfaced on streets and runways. Maybe the flare is smaller or the platform is lower, but these trends are love children of the 70’s. The concept of the old being new again isn’t groundbreaking, but let’s contemplate the theory that 70’s fashion really never went out of style. Since the 1990’s, the 70’s era has been an underappreciated inspiration for us everyday.
Most notably, the 70’s revolutionized denim and freedom of expression in fashion. Annette Gonzalez, co-director of models for Syracuse University’s Fashion and Design Society (FADS), claims “the 70’s was one of the first times in the history of fashion where they really accentuated the legs of both men and women.” She elaborates, “I love the pants, how the shape was tight at the thighs and flared at the calves, including both high and low rise cuts.” The denim of the 70’s highlighted legs in a new way, and the conceptual flare has never really left denim designs. Gonzalez also identified crochet materials, statement jewelry, feminine crop tops and fur coats as resurging fashion trends from the era.
“Today people rewind time with their style and make it unique to themselves. The 70’s culture with bell bottoms, vibrant colors, and fluffy scarves is what helps people influenced by this era feel outside of the box and true to themselves,” remarks Jada Williams, president of FADS. Williams offers a unique perspective on street style, personally feeling that it is often confined to hyper-casual style. Conversely, she feels that the 70’s offers a more professional side to streetwear: “It shows another aspect of streetwear and delves deeper into colorful tones that can be muted or paired with plaid or funky designs. The textures and patterns play a big part in 70’s streetwear and I feel this is what makes it authentic as compared to other decades.” The items and silhouettes we choose to wear daily are heavily influenced by this exuberant decade.
Both FADS members heavily emphasized the persistent trend of boots, a tenet of 70’s fashion. “Platform boots and chunky jewelry are things that will never go out of style,” exclaims Williams, “we look at brands today and see how they take inspiration and alter things such as jewelry and boots, but no matter how much they are altered, they will still keep their name and place in the fashion world.” Since the conception of fashion forward boots in the 70’s, they haven’t left our closets and runways. Gonzalez recommended everyone invest in a patterned, (especially snakeskin), heeled boot as a wardrobe staple. Chunky boots have remained a going-out foundation since their birth.
Not only is the 70’s back in our closets, but also our bathroom. Through the lens of beauty, more men and women are embracing the resurgence of the Afro hairstyle. Furthermore, Sabrina Carpenter sports the iconic 70’s bang while singing today’s pop hits on her Short n’ Sweet Tour. Gonzalez also mentioned glittery, colorful, experimental make-up as a forthcoming trend.
The 70’s grasp on culture is evident on campus. FADS’s “Whispers in the Shadows” shoot, inspired by the Salem Witch Trials, incorporated corsets and flared jeans that replicated the 70’s goth and steampunk era. In addition, the organization had two shoots in fall of 2023, named “Kaleidoscope” and “Echoes of Innocence,” which took inspiration from 70’s maximalism and colors that replicate the 70’s aesthetic and feel. The decade remains a strong vision board, even for those born a half-century after its birth.
This era of shag carpets and social change is also consistently found in our movies and TV shows. Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused makes every viewer wish they graduated in 1976. Released in 1993, this film started the 70’s craze of the 90’s decade. But the craze didn’t stop here, That 70’s Show (1998), Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous (2000), Floria Sigismondi’s The Runaways (2010) and most recently Daisy Jones and The Six (2023) prove Hollywood’s fascination with the decade spans generations. Filmography is a huge trendsetter for how we shop and dress. Following the release of Daisy Jones and The Six, Amazon opened a storefront helping shoppers dress like the iconic characters. The brand Free People also released a collection inspired by the series. As life imitates art, fashion imitates media. And when looking at media—the 70s are a constant touchstone of inspiration.
The influence of media is inextricably linked to celebrity style, which perpetually nods to the 1970s decadenium. Pop-culture icon, Devon Lee Carlson, frequents posting in ruffle-trimmed tie crop tops, high-waisted blue jeans, patterned mini dresses, while even raising up a peace sign. Dakota Johnson, a red carpet moodboard for the past decade, has an obvious affinity for 70’s archival and inspired gowns. This is evident in her bleeding-heart, disco, Gucci dress worn to the 2020 Met Gala, and circa 1970’s Luis Estéves number from her Madame Web press tour. Even the red carpet looks of the 90’s and 2000’s were influenced by fashion’s grooviest decade. The dark browns, pastels and Halston-esque silhouettes adorned many celebrities on their press tours.
Celebrities and civilians can successfully join the trend. An article from Vogue Australia, by Sonia Blair, articulates that “70’s style is a user-friendly trend that encourages experimentation with the old and taking a contemporary spin on it.” Williams believes in accessibility and individuality in following trends, “we can take elements from the 70’s and make it authentic to ourselves, we can experiment and see what works best for us within that style, it's something everyone has access to and no one is ever limited.”
So where should we shop these 70’s wardrobe additions? Thrifting is key. To authentically wink at 70’s era fashion, it is important to shop authentically. Williams and Gonzalez agree that putting in the time and labor at thrift stores will warrant the best results. Online platforms like Depop were also recommended.
Over the course of this decade, pushing the limits was encouraged in fashion, but also socially. At the time, women’s rights, gay rights, and the environmental movement gained momentum. To name just a few examples, in 1970, New York City hosted the first gay pride parade and in 1973, the Roe v. Wade ruling emphasized a woman’s right to choose. The 70’s decade was a shift out of traditionalism in many areas, a change embraced by many. This cultural revolution was expressed through exuberant, colorful fashion that has maintained its influence on our daily dress. Perhaps by implementing these trends we can pay homage to the spirit of challenging norms and enacting change.
: Fash10nBeautySU!
