The ’70s were a wild time for fashion—bold, experimental, and, let’s be honest, pretty questionable by today’s standards. Looking back, some trends were straight-up cringe-worthy. Ready to take a funky trip back in time? Here are 20 weird fashion trends from the ’70s that might just make you wince now.
1. Bell-Bottoms
You couldn’t escape them—bell-bottoms were everywhere. Flared out to the extreme, these pants made it look like you were hiding a whole other pair of legs. Let’s be real: They’re not coming back.
2. Polyester Everything
The ’70s were all about polyester—scratchy, sweaty, and clingy. Entire outfits were made of this synthetic fabric, and comfort was clearly an afterthought.
3. Platform Shoes
Towering over everyone with 3-inch (or more) platforms was the norm, for both men and women. Walking in them? A whole other skill set that might have involved a few falls.
4. Leisure Suits
Nothing screams “disco fever” like a shiny leisure suit. Polyester, wide collars, and often in wild colors, this was the go-to for a night out. Stylish then, cringe now.
5. The Shag Haircut
Think of it as the mullet’s wild cousin. Short on top, long and layered everywhere else, the shag haircut might have been edgy back then, but today? Let’s just say it’s best left in the past.
6. Tie-Dye Everything
T-shirts, skirts, dresses—if it could be tie-dyed, it was tie-dyed. While it’s fun for the occasional DIY project now, head-to-toe tie-dye? Not so much.
7. Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits were huge in the ’70s, often in vibrant colors and funky patterns. Practical? Not really. There’s nothing more awkward than trying to wrangle out of one in a bathroom stall.
8. Peasant Blouses
Flowy, loose, and very boho-chic, peasant blouses were everywhere in the ’70s. While they might still have their moments, the super-oversized, ultra-frilly versions feel a bit out of place today.
9. Maxi Dresses with Bold Prints
Floor-length dresses in psychedelic prints? Oh yeah, that was a thing. The clash of colors and patterns was intense and makes you wonder, “Why?”
10. Headbands Across the Forehead
For some reason, people thought headbands looked cooler across their foreheads rather than on top of their heads. It wasn’t exactly the most flattering look.
11. Wide Ties
The wider the tie, the better—at least that was the ’70s logic. These ties were like bibs and often came in outrageous patterns that would make you question your life choices.
12. Hot Pants
Tiny, tight, and often worn with knee-high boots, hot pants were all the rage. Now, they’re more of a relic from the past than a fashion statement.
13. Patchwork Everything
From pants to vests to entire suits, patchwork was huge in the ’70s. Random squares of fabric sewn together created a mishmash of patterns and colors that looked more like a homemade quilt than an outfit. It might have seemed crafty and unique back then, but now? It’s a bit too “fashion Frankenstein” for modern tastes.
