Fashion and Accessories of the 1970's
The 1970s "Anything Goes Fashion" and Individual Expression
Beginning in the late 1960's and continuing into the 1970's, wearing clothes was more about individual expression than it was about fitting in. Many people during this decade primarily dressed in ways to please themselves rather than other people. However, this does not mean that people did not value high fashion because the opposite was true. The clothing and accessories worn on the runway were made into more radical designs than they had ever been in years before. Prominent trends included flared or "bell-bottom" pants, tunics, pantsets, leisure suits, and overalls. Exotic prints, polyester fabrics, checks, bright colors, embroidered details, and satin, corduroy or velvet textures were very popular too.
Individualism and self-expression were important for people during the 1970s, no matter how much or how little money a person made. When it came to fashion, the largest differences between the types of individualism and self-expression (that were displayed through clothes in this era) were most likely due to both class and taste. For example, "Hippie" style was popular throughout the beginning and middle of the decade and there was a marked difference between what some could call "Anything Goes" hippie clothing and "Designer" hippies. The latter would be more likely to coordinate their outfits in accordance with style trends, whereas the former would be less likely to follow trends at all and would mix pieces as they pleased.
"Power Clothes" and Other Trends in Fashion
Some of the "power clothes" worn by working women in the 1970s include lines of suits created by Karl Lagerfield, who designed under the Chloé label. Another working or casual outfit that was created during this time was the tomato red linen suit jacket worn with white silk crepe blouse and soft leather elastic-wasted pants with seams in the knees. Women could also wear blazers with pants and sweaters or they could choose from a number of professional-looking jacket and skirt sets. For the evening, many women wore simple classic timeless dresses such as a long flowing red evening dress. Find More on our 1970s Ladies Dresses Page