70s Inspiration of Modern Day Fashion

Like most young people, you probably learned what you know about the 70s from your parents. Maybe you stumbled upon their dusty high school yearbook and leafed through the photos, judging the pimply-faced teens with obnoxiously feathered hair for their fashion faux pas. But, the 70s was more than polyester and your dad’s terrible middle part. American Hustle, coming to theaters in December, reminds us that the 70s is one of fashion’s most significant decades.

The 70s was a decade of fashion reinvention based in fun and functionality, where the football team looked more like the cheerleading squad. The popular fringe and floral hippie trends of the 60s quickly faded out in the early part of the era in favor of an iconic style of it’s own, full of sexy plunging necklines, luxurious furs, and three-piece suits.

Sexy disco divas and glam rockers were the fashion icons of the time. David Bowie writhed along the stage in red platform shoes and stripped lame’ jumpsuits, while Donna Summer strutted her stuff in long furs and bright sequins dresses. They donned extravagant fashion choices that we are still, for better or for worse, seeing today.

Women’s fashion especially, has gone through a time warp back to the 70s. Something we can all thank the “me generation” for is the adoption of the high-waist cut. The low-rise style was doing nothing for women, except creating anxiety attacks every time they had to bend over. Luckily, we can fear no longer with the availability of high-waited everything, from jeans to tights. Unfortunately, there are some things that can’t be unseen.

One of the most prominent pieces resurged from the decade is the crop top. Back then it was the perfect style to reflect women’s newly discovered sexual freedom, because nothing says sex like an umbilical dip. Now, with the help of some certain celebrities, it’s impossible to walk down the street without seeing a handful of midriffs, even in the middle of winter. It’s like being stuck in that Levi’s commercial where the belly buttons are singing, only not everyone’s looks that nice.

Another game changer in women’s fashion that never seems to fade is the wrap dress, designed in 1971. When you watch those lame, but sometimes addicting, makeover shows, this is the piece they make all contestants buy. It is like a mystical cape that flatters every woman’s shape. Your mom probably has one in every color that still fits from the good ol’ days and someday you will too.

The platform shoe is one of those trends that probably could have stayed in the past.  It’s weird to think that looking like Frankenstein was ever a fashion statement to begin with. Most of our generation probably wrote this fad off in the 90s, when their parents wouldn’t buy them a pair printed with Union Jack, so they could dress like The Spice Girls. Sometimes they do know best.

But, shoe designers have decided to bring back the elevator shoe in the most extreme way possible, by slapping some height every style. As if disco dancing in a shoe with a live fish wasn’t enough, now try walking in a gladiator sandal with a six-inch platform.

And let us not forget, the birth of punk rock during the middle of the decade, which influenced a majority of the trends we see today. The rebellious music of the time birthed an iconic style that is constantly seen on the streets and on the runway. Leather jackets with patches, crazy hair colors, all black everything. It can all be attributed to 70s rockers. Luckily for everyone else you no longer have to be in an awesome band or shoot heroine to dress cool.

As far as men’s fashion goes, things really haven’t changed that much. It is still impossible to look at a men’s magazine without seeing a three-piece suit. Sure, there might be less chest hair and plaid than your dad’s prom attire, but still the same idea. Not to mention athletic apparel being worn beyond the field. Every rapper and fashion kid is wearing the sporty look these days, which can be traced back to guys wearing baseball tees and customized shirts in the 70s.

Of course there are many other ways such a progressive fashion era has influenced style throughout the years, but as your parents wardrobe reflects, some are better forgotten. Luckily, if they need a reminder of how 70s fashion was done right, you can take them to see American Hustle.