The Seventies. The Decade of Denim and Disco.

With the hippie/folk style continuing into the early half of the seventies, it saw the increase of flared trousers taking over as the memorable fashion item of the decade, alongside the pant suit. Looking back at my parent’s (questionable) clothing choices, there were endless large collars, flares and denim.

Denim was everywhere, in every form of garment possible, with the most popular being high- waisted flared jeans and the classic denim jacket. Suede and warm colours (browns, mustard yellow, burgundy and dark green) were principle colours and material of apparel throughout the 70s.

Music was an enormous influence of fashion, firstly with the disco era. Neon colours, hot pants, glitter, sequins, leotards and platforms dominated, with the likes of David Bowie, Cher and John Travolta proving nothing was too over the top.

Emerging in the late 70s was punk rock with bands such as The Sex Pistols inspiring a grunge and dark fashion movement. An original punk look included ripped clothes, Dr. Martens and always a leather jacket embellished with some form of studs or safety pins.

Overall the biggest outcome of the 70s was the normality of unisex clothing, women in trousers and men in leotards was never seen or deemed fashionable in the past.

My parents, uncles and aunties all grew up as teenagers in the 70s,so kindly answered some questions to enlighten me on the fashion of this decade:

Favourite fashion trend?

v  “Denim shirt/jacket and high collar shirts”

v  “Platform shoes”

v  “Cheese cloth shirt"

Biggest fashion faux pas?

v  “A bright yellow shirt, green tank top and wide flared trousers” (as I said questionable fashion on my dad’s behalf)

v  “Shirt and tie under a v neck jumper with wide jeans and cowboy boots!”

v  “Brushed denim flares with embroidered floral”

v  “Big wing collar shirt with galleons on it”

Fashion icon?

v  “David Cassidy”

v  “David Bowie”

v  “Blondie”

Influenced your fashion choices?

v  “Top of the Pops, Charlie’s Angels, comics such as Jackie and catalogues”

v  “TV”

v  “Music”