Timeless Threads: The Enduring Legacy of 1970s Fashion

"In the 1970s, the music landscape was characterised by the dominance of punk and disco, while the world mourned the passing of the king of rock 'n' roll (Elvis Presley). It was also during this time that the adage "Sex, drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll" best described the music scene, an era when music and art culture were largely influenced by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Cocaine regained popularity as a recreational drug and was glamorised in the U.S. film, music, and art industries.

This period marked the "counter-culture movement," when people abandoned traditional, conservative lifestyles for more expressive, rebellious, and non-conforming ways of living. During this time, psychedelic drugs, particularly LSD, gained popularity among many hipsters.
The influence drugs had on this era, led many to believe that artists like Jimi Hendrix created his iconic out of this world guitar solos while under the influence of psychedelics.

 

In the realm of fashion during the 1970s:

 

Disco Scene:

The disco scene varied around the world during that era, but we'll focus on the city that truly captivated our hearts and spearheaded the most thrilling and culturally influential movement: New York City.

New York City boasted a vibrant disco scene that transcended music to become a way of life. Clubs served as venues where people of diverse races, genders, and sexual orientations could come together and dance through the night. In this era of liberation, the disco scene provided a unique platform for self-expression. Women, for instance, embraced tube tops, which gained popularity, in part, due to their exposure on the Sonny and Cher TV show. Hot pants, incredibly short shorts crafted from luxurious materials like velvet and satin, became a trendy choice. Yet, as previously mentioned, it was all about revealing one's personality, whether through sequined shirts, jumpsuits, high-slit skirts paired with boots, or chunky heels. It was all about the less conversation more grooving.

from Left: Cher, Elton John and Diana Ross 

credit to pintrest 

Bell Bottoms: 

Bell-bottoms, characterised by their wide and flared design, from the knee, mainly made of denim, coloured satin and polyester, made a comeback in mainstream fashion during the 1970s. At this point you may be wondering: "How did pants from the 1800s became so popular during the 70s?". Well, it's thanks to hit music single "Bell Bottoms Blue" by blues rock band Derek and Dominos and also to Sonny and Cher contributing to their popularity through their television appearances.

Dolly Parton

Platforms:

Platform shoes became a trend in the '70s with a motto of "the bigger, the better." These shoes featured incredibly thick soles and were worn by both men and women to add height to their style. André Courreges introduced Go-Go boots in 1964, featuring ankle-high white boots with a square toe and a low, square heel, often worn with dresses hemmed above the knee. This style was made famous by the "Go-Go boot Queen" Nancy Sinatra with her hit song "These Boots are Made for Walking"

Nancy Sinatra

 

Influence on Contemporary Culture:

 

The 1970s fashion, marked by its emphasis on individuality and self-expression, maintains a lasting influence on today's fashion trends. Key elements like flared pants, while less dramatic than in the '70s, remain popular choices. Tube tops, once part of figure-hugging two-piece ensembles, have adapted and persist in modern fashion as casual bandeau tops adorned with sequins. Platform shoes continue to make appearances on red carpets, including events like the Met Gala and the Oscars, underscoring their enduring appeal and impact on contemporary fashion.

What's more - in a testament to the era's lasting legacy - even the biggest tour of our generation, Beyonce's Renaissance album/tour, drew inspiration from the glittering black ball culture, dance music, and club culture of the 1970s. Fans enthusiastically embraced this influence by donning dazzling silver outfits reminiscent of the '70s.

@ beyonce instagram 

credit to Pinterest

Bella Hadid, Sydney Carlson and a group of friends leave Craig’s in West Hollywood, Calif. on Jan. 15