12 ’70s Fashion Trends Making a Comeback
The 1970s marked a time of transformation as gender equality and fresh perspectives on work and family life reshaped societal norms.
This decade was also a fantastic time for fashion that embraced confidence, individuality, and carefree styles. Is it any wonder it’s coming back into vogue?
With some modern-day twists, we can learn to once again embody some of the most iconic fashion trends from that decade. Make room in your wardrobe for these 1970s fashion trends stealing the spotlight in 2024 and beyond.
Bell-Bottom Pants
The '70s have returned with bell-bottom jeans.
“One of the most iconic fashion trends of the 1970s, bell-bottom pants, has made a triumphant return. This time around, they’ve been reimagined as high-waisted flared jeans, offering a modern twist on a classic look,” Mariya Yasinovska, an opinion editor and fashionista at The University News, shares.
Skinny jeans have definitely taken a step back in recent years, and bell-bottom pants — otherwise known as boot cuts, bell bottoms, or flares— are hitting the spotlight once again.
Platform Shoes
Yasinovska reminds us that platform shoes are back on trend again. Designers have now spoiled us with more to choose from than ever before, from platform sneakers and sandals to chunky platform heels that are thankfully easier to walk in than other types.
It’s a relief that I can hang up my stilettos. Who can say no to a thicker, more comfortable heel?
Voluminous Hair
Celebrities have the power to influence trends for the generation. When Miley Cyrus showed up for the Grammys in 2024, everyone couldn’t help but notice her elaborate hairdo.
“Literally, even: at the 2024 Grammys, Miley Cyrus performed in vintage Bob Mackie with hair piled high, hitting two '70s cues simultaneously,” Highsnobiety's Director of News Jake Silbert shares.
Headscarves
“Silk scarves worn as hair wraps get a big y-e-s from us.” Talia Abbas, Glamour's senior commerce editor, shares in an article about ‘70s fashion trends.
While that article dates back to 2021, it appears silk headscarves are still making headlines. Women's fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar declares them as the “summer 2024’s best accessory.”
Wrap Dresses
Wrap dresses are highly versatile and flattering for all shapes and sizes. These are the kinds of dresses formed by wrapping one side across the other and securing the fabric at the waist or back.
“Wrap dresses have become commonplace in the wardrobes of many chic women, so you'd be forgiven for not realizing that the classic style has its roots in the '70s,” shares Sonia Blair at Vogue.
Extreme Side Cutouts
InStyle's previous senior fashion editor, Samantha Sutton, shares the ‘70s trend having its moment: extreme side cutouts.
Comparing the American singer Debbie Harry's iconic 70s side cutout outfit with Kim Kardashian’s modern-day look, Sutton portrays how revealing some skin can “make a statement, every single time.” Cutout detailing in dresses is here to stay!
Crochet Clothing
Considered a “summer knit” by Sutton, stores continue to stock crochet clothing, including crotchet tops, shorts, skirts, and pants.
“…We definitely associate this textile with the '70s,” she says, noting that large glasses will add to the overall ‘70s vibe. We can pair these crotchet outfits with denim or even a leather jacket and knee-high boots, as sported by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo.
Bold Patterns
Bold patterns are what immediately come to mind when we think about the 70s. They offer an individualized, carefree, and sophisticated spirit to clothing.
Rebecca Ryan, a digital brand manager at Threads, shares that these bold fashion statements are making their comeback “through vintage-inspired sewing patterns.” Forget the monochromes and dive right in!
Rugby-Striped Outfits
Kim Marcum from The Ethel from AARP advises us to track down our ‘70s rugby-striped shirts, dresses, and sweaters for their comeback this fall.
“Confusingly referred to as polo shirts in some current descriptions, the thick, bold stripes are what we knew as rugby shirts back when they first became fashionable in the 1970s,” she states.
Oversized Glasses
In the 70s, technological advances made glasses more mainstream, with plastic replacing glass lenses.
Sutton calls out tiny eyewear and shares that the hallmark oversized glasses from the ‘70s are the way to go moving forward. “Now, the larger styles of the '70s, which usually include lighter, ombre lenses, are the new go-to,” she says.
Crop Tops
It could be argued that crop tops never really left fashion for them to make a comeback. While crop tops were sported on the beach as far back as the 1940s and 1950s, they became a special symbol for liberation during the feminist movement in the 1970s.
As you’ve probably noticed, crop tops continue to weave in and out of fashion trends throughout the decades, and 2024 is no different. Contemporary designers continue to reinvent and adapt the style.
Fanny Packs
The early popularity of fanny packs was evident among European skiers in the ‘60s and '70s before they shot into the realms of public fashion in the '80s. Throughout the years, they’ve changed in different ways, including their name — does anyone recall the hip sack?
A few short years ago, I was almost embarrassed to be seen with a fanny pack, but now that couldn’t be further from the truth. The fanny pack is so popular that it even became a Lululemon best-seller and was declared the IT bag in 2024 by Outhouse Jewellery.
Seeing as we have so much ‘stuff’ these days, I can’t imagine the fanny pack disappearing anytime soon. What do you think?
