Leather Jacket
Silk
Gown
The 1970s is often called the Decade of Decadence, the ‘Me’ decade and the decade of excess and androgyny. Skirts could be seen in a variety of lengths, mini midi or maxi. The maxi dress was worn throughout the decade in a multitude of styles and shapes. Rich earthy tones dominated in popular colors; warm browns, burgundy, rust, mustard, and avocado green. Television shows such as Charlie’s Angels featured the smart and liberated but attractive woman. The California sun-kissed blondes Cheryl Tiegs and Farrah Fawcett represented the new sporty and physically fit ideal.
The Woodstock festival of peace and music was the end of the 1960s hippie movement, with the U.S. still at war. The hippie flower child look from the late 1960s carried over into the first half of the decade in a nonrestrictive bohemian silhouette with a heavy folksy influence. They wore ethnic styles such as Indian style prints, free flowing breezy gauzy tent dresses and wide legged pants. Arts and crafts elements such as tie-dye, batik, knitwear, crochet and macramé were also very popular. There was a great sense of ease and comfort to early 1970s clothing. Designers like Laura Ashley and Jessica McClintock for Gunne Sax popularized the prairie dress phenomenon.
Blue jeans emerged in the 1970s as everyday wear. Denim was being mass consumed by all ages and seen as the ultimate American garment. Jeans were flared, bell bottom, wide legged, hip huggers, high waist, embroidered, embellished, studded – you name it. Denim was was not just limited to pants: jean skirts, suits, vests, jackets, hats and accessories were omnipresent. Designer jeans were seen as a status symbol and the more expensive, the more desirable! A tighter, second skin fit with designer names such as Gloria Vanderbilt, Calvin Klein, Jordache, and Sasson were branded across the backsides of men and women everywhere.
Glam or glitter rock brought on to the scene flamboyant boldly colored clothes in lux fabrics like satins, velvets and lurex. Emblazoned with sequins, bedazzled, gemmed and worn with feathered boas! Nothing was too outrageous. Super high stacked platform shoes or boots were the favored footwear. Pop star David Bowie, sported over-the-top androgynous outfits both on and off the stage. Glitter rock stars of the the time such as Kiss, Marc Bolan, The Sweet and the New York Dolls were often dressed in chiffon, spandex and satin. Glitter trends in makeup were worn on the face by both men and women. This style catered to the teenage audience and rock stars alike.
Disco brought excess and decadence. Draped jersey goddess dresses, kaftans and Ultrasuede were the perfect party clothes for a glamorous night out. Quiana polyester was wildly popular and was used in day dresses, shirts, blouses and evening wear. Cheaply made tight fitting body conscious clothing could be seen in any disco. Wrap-around skirts, leotards, tube tops, dance wear inspired dresses and separates with ease and movement were made in Lurex, miliskin and spandex. Film star John Travolta wore a white 3-piece suit with black shirt in the blockbuster movie “Saturday Night Fever”. Diane Von Fursternberg popularized the uber flattering jersey wrap dress, which became a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.
Punk fashion evolved alongside the musical genre out of open disgust of society, the modern political agenda and the slick overproduced mainstream that rock music had become. Punk rock stripped rock and roll down to basics. Punk was gritty and offensive. The clothing represented a darker and harsher view of reality and dissatisfaction of conformity.
American punk preferred a more laid back look with tight jeans,
leather motorcycle jackets, sneakers, and ripped t-shirts.
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