Seventies Clothing & Rock Culture - Those Were The Days

Let's take a look at Seventies clothing. Fashion trends in the early Seventies were heavily influenced by the Sixties. The 1960s were full of radical social changes, as war, space exploration, civil rights advancements and the women's movement began to gain influence. All the chaos experienced in the 1960s, opened up the doors for increased creativity and exploration in the fashions of the 1970s.

Rock and Roll musicians also had profound impacts on the fashions of the decade and instead of following fashion trends rock stars set the trends! The 70s left behind a decade now nostalgically remembered as free spirited, diversive and fun loving.

The 1970s started off with a continuation of the hippie look that had began to gain popularity in the 60s. Tie dyed shirts, bell bottom pants and frayed jeans were being worn. Instead of buying their bell bottoms, many creative individuals simply made their own by splitting open their pants along the seams, as well as tie dying and adding patches for customization. The flamboyant fashions of glam rockers like David Bowie, Slade and Elton John were also copied.

Ethnic fashions had a huge influence on Seventies clothing, with garments from the Far East showing up everywhere, such as turbans and kimonos. For African American men and women large afros came into vogue.

For men long sideburns and shoulder length wavy hair were common. The layered look became immensely popular when adapted by actress Farrah Fawcett while starring on Charlie's Angel during the decade.

Probably the biggest musical influence on the fashions of the decade was disco music. Designed for the nightclub setting disco fashion was not considered acceptable daywear. But under the strobe lights and mirror balls, glittery reflective clothing was celebrated.

Topping off the party atmosphere where platform shoes; these funky shoes were worn by men and women, both day and night and included sandals and boots. At the height of popularity, platform shoes could be as much as 4 inches high. As the mid-70s approached, more free flowing peasant looks became wide spread. Yes, Seventies clothing and fashion looked really weird at times!

One of my favorite outfits that I wore on a regular basis was my orange-beige zippered jump suit (Pete Townsend style) paired with my platform shoes. My hair was worn in a big afro type style only with looser curls. I was cool.

Tie dyed T's and bell bottom jeans were also part of my wardrobe. Those were the days; now I have a very nice mobster-blues hat with guitar pins on each side that I wear for special music shows.

By the late 70s disco was beginning to wane in popularity and new fashion trends were emerging. Casual pants went high waisted and flared leg denim pants and skirts were adapted by women. By the end of the decade, straight leg jeans were fashionable. Tennis shoes also became more standard casual wear with jeans after Nike opened up its doors in 1972.

The Punk look was also becoming trendy by the late 1970s when punk rock band, The Sex Pistols released their first album. The anti-establishment look featured mohawk style haircuts in bright colors such as orange and green. Stud collars, ripped jeans and chains attached to clothing where part of the style.

Interested in Seventies clothing and fashion? Here's an article about hairstyles.