The 1970s were a kaleidoscope of shag carpet, avocado green everything, and trends that seemed oh-so-normal at the time but are downright hilarious looking back. From the quirky fashion choices to oddball home decor and cultural habits, these experiences defined the decade—and they certainly wouldn’t fly (or make sense) today. Let’s dive into the funky, groovy past with these relatable gems!
1. Harvest Gold and Avocado Green Were Everywhere
Every kitchen looked like a vegetable basket exploded. Your fridge, countertops, and even your Tupperware came in these “stylish” hues. Now, those colors are more likely to show up in retro-themed restaurants than anyone’s actual home.
2. Shag Carpets You Could Lose a Pet In
Shag carpeting wasn’t just a floor covering; it was practically a lifestyle. You had to rake it to keep it fluffy, and crumbs would disappear into its depths forever. Today, we value low-maintenance floors, and shag is mostly relegated to ironic throw rugs.
3. Sitting on Plastic-Covered Furniture
Visiting relatives meant sitting on furniture encased in plastic to “keep it nice.” You’d sweat buckets in the summer and slide right off the couch if you moved too fast. These days, we prefer furniture you can actually use.
4. Brown Everything
Brown wasn’t just a color; it was a way of life. Brown station wagons, brown suits, brown appliances—it felt like the entire decade was viewed through sepia-tone glasses. Today’s palettes are lighter and brighter, but nothing says ’70s like a wall-to-wall brown aesthetic.
5. Mood Rings That Judged Your Feelings
Remember staring at your finger to see if you were “calm” or “nervous”? Mood rings were the ultimate accessory, even though we all knew they mostly reflected how hot your hand was. Now, there’s an app for that—literally.
6. Bell-Bottoms for Everyone
Bell-bottoms weren’t just trendy; they were a movement. They flared so wide you could barely see your shoes. Trying to run in them? Forget it. While they’ve made a minor comeback, no one’s wearing them like we did back in the day.
7. Fondue Parties Were the Height of Sophistication
Nothing said classy like inviting friends over to dip bread into a communal pot of cheese. While fondue is still around, it doesn’t quite carry the same “cool” factor as it did when it was a ’70s dinner party staple.
8. Eight-Tracks That Always Skipped the Best Part
Eight-track tapes were the cutting-edge way to listen to music, except when they interrupted your favorite song to switch tracks. Kids today will never know the pain of rewinding and fast-forwarding blind to find your jam.
9. Wood Paneling Galore
If your walls weren’t covered in wood paneling, did you even live in the ’70s? It made every room look like a hunting cabin, and tearing it out during the ’80s remodels became a rite of passage.
10. Talking to the Operator
Making a long-distance call meant chatting with an actual operator to connect you. Today, we don’t even answer our phones half the time, but back then, the operator was a lifeline to loved ones far away.
11. Cars With No Seatbelts in the Back
Remember piling into the back of the family station wagon without a seatbelt in sight? Maybe even sitting in the “way back” facing traffic? It’s a miracle any of us survived, and today’s safety-conscious parents would be horrified.
12. Beanbag Chairs That Flattened Instantly
Beanbag chairs were the pinnacle of laid-back furniture until you sat in them too many times, and they turned into flat, shapeless blobs. They’re still around today, but modern versions actually offer support (and last longer).
13. Feathered Hair That Took Hours
Both men and women spent forever getting that perfect feathered look à la Farrah Fawcett. Today, it’s all about effortless styles, but in the ’70s, that hair was your crowning glory—even if it required a can of Aqua Net.
14. CB Radios and “Breaker, Breaker” Speak
Before cell phones, CB radios let us all play trucker. Everyone had a handle, and “breaker, breaker” became part of the cultural lexicon. These days, we’ve traded radio waves for Wi-Fi, but the nostalgia for CB chatter lingers.
15. Sears Catalog Wish Lists
Every Christmas season, kids would pore over the Sears catalog, circling toys they wanted Santa to bring. It was the Amazon of its day, only in paper form—and it took weeks to arrive! Today, we click a button and it’s on our doorstep tomorrow.
The Decade That Defined Us
The 1970s may feel lightyears away, but these funny, endearing quirks defined the era. While times have changed and trends have shifted, these moments remind us of a simpler, funkier time when shag carpet and bell-bottoms ruled the world.
