79 Photos That Prove ’70s Fashion Was Bold, Weird, and Absolutely Unforgettable

If you're looking for subtlety, the ’70s were not the decade to grow up in.

With a look all its own, you didn’t need to follow fashion to remember it. You might even say that the ’70s (and maybe the ’80s to an extent) were the last decades with a style entirely their own.

What Everyday People Actually Wore in the 1970s

ALSO SEE: 79 Photos That Scream Life in the '70s

But beyond high-fashion magazines, what did regular folks really wear in the ’70s? In classrooms, shopping on Main Street, at concerts at the state fair, and even at family parties, there were no digital cameras — so your style had to be on point and ready to go. There were no do-overs.

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There are some styles that take you back immediately — the iconic ones. Bell-bottom jeans are the obvious pick, and it seems the later you were in the decade, the wider they got. Add platform shoes, comedically wide collars for the guys, and flowy, bohemian-style tops for the girls. Denim ruled, but brown was a predominant color — amber, specifically.

From Disco to Peace, Love, and Happiness — The Fashion That Defined the ’70s

The ’70s were also the age of disco, with many styles seemingly designed to make you look great while dancing. Nights at the disco meant sparkly jumpsuits, oversized sunglasses (well, oversized everything), and big, big hair.

With peace, love, and individuality colliding, the styles of the ’70s were varied — and a little all over the place.

Short Summer Dresses Were Flirty

Four models in summer dresses, UK, 24th April 1972. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Jack Tripper Chic

A male fashion model wearing a zipped sweatshirt, shorts, striped socks, tennis shoes and a towel on his shoulder, at a photo shoot, UK, 12th October 1976. (Photo by Jones/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Knitted Caps and Vests

circa 1970: Folk group Jethro Tull, led by flautist, guitarist, singer and songwriter Ian Anderson. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Aztec-Style Details and Matching Headbands

American actress and singer Connie Stevens, wearing a white dress with Aztec-style trim with a matching headband, circa 1975. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Mrs. Roper-style Kaftans

Aided by a doorman, British actress Olivia De Havilland leaves the Dorchester Hotel in London for a dinner date with British prime minister Edward Heath. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Headband OVER the Hair

A salesman wearing a headband and an apron, holding a wire flower as he sells black-and-white Polaroid film on a concession stand at an event, circa 1970. (Photo by Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Jackie-O Style

Jackie Onassis (1929 - 1994), widow of American President John F Kennedy and wife of Greek-born Argentinian ship owner Aristotle Onassis, leaving Claridge's Hotel in London. She is wearing a safari-style jacket over flared hipster trousers and a polo neck jersey. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Overalls

10th February 1977: Jini Rawlings, Caroline Goldie and Sue Hall walk in the London streets. (Photo by Adam Joseph/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Striped Knee-High Socks

27th January 1972: A teenager wearing hot pants and striped knee length socks. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Out of Control Eye Lashes and Forehead Pendants

8th December 1971: Film star Elizabeth Taylor (centre) wearing a £15,000 pearl which belonged to Mary Tudor. She is with dancer, film star and singer Liza Minnelli (right) and Baroness Guy De Rothschild at a show given on behalf of the United and Social Jewish Fund. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Raggedy-Ann Chic

1972: A young woman models a spotted blouse, jeans, and striped pedal pushers. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Mini-Skirts With Knee-High Boots

23rd August 1971: 22-year-old Italian Francesca Frobi writes lyrics for pop songs and sells paintings for a living. (Photo by Jim Witts/Keystone Features/Getty Images)

Platform to the Extreme

17th November 1973: A pair of cowhide High-High Shoes on sale in a Tokyo shoe shop, designed to add an extra 51 cm to the height of the wearer. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Chunky Platform Shoes

8th October 1975: A stylish mid-seventies platform shoe with decorative white stitching, from London's Carnaby Street. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Open-Toed Platform Shoes

August 1973: A pair of 1970s 'Platform Shoes' worn by a model. (Photo by Tim Graham/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Custom Painted Boots

Hand-painted boots by London shoe designer Richard Evans were styled on the British pop group The Beatles' animated musical film 'Yellow Submarine' and the American actress and wartime pin-up girl Betty Grable. (Photo by Paul Fievez/Getty Images)

Platform, But Make Them Dressy

circa 1970: A pair of Platform Shoes from the 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Chunky Knit Cardigans on Men

A male model wearing a chunky knitted cardigan with a matching belt, UK, 16th January 1974. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Patent Leather Polka Dot Platform Shoes (Scream Pee-Wee)

11th January 1973: Patent leather polka dot platform shoes by Smerling Imports with miniature goldfish bowls inside the heels. (Photo by F. Roy Kemp/BIPs/Getty Images)

'70s Family-Style

Two children playing croquet with their parents, circa 1975. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1970s Office Attire Was No Joke

Fashion entrepreneur Irvine Sellar, UK, 26th April 1971. He later developed The Shard skyscraper in London. (Photo by Barnes/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Men Wore Boots Too

A male fashion model wears a button-up jacket with matching shorts, cap and sunglasses, along with knee-length zip-up boots, 10th February 1971. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Jaunty Newsboy Caps

American actor and film director Robert Redford by the River Thames in London. (Photo by Victor Blackman/Getty Images)

Wide Ties for Men

A model wearing a spotted shirt and tie, UK, 5th September 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Wrap Dresses

Anne French, Monty and Penny Carter (right) wearing wrap dresses and 20s style hats, UK, 7th August 1974. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1970s Suburban Family-Style

Two children with their parents, grandmother, and a pet spaniel, circa 1975. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Fur, Chunky Tinted Glasses and Headphones

24th January 1974: Soul singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder at London Airport with friend Yvonne Wright, who is using a new portable stereo. Wonder is in London to perform at the Rainbow Theatre. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Long, Straight Hair and Over-Sized Jewelry

British actress Jane Seymour, wearing a corduroy waistcoat over a red turtleneck sweater, holding the tail of the large gold fish pendant hanging from her necklace, at Heathrow Airport in London, England, 27th January 1974. Seymour also wears a second necklace from which hangs a smaller gold fish pendant. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Wrap Dresses, Butterflies and Plunging Necklines

A fashion model wearing a red dress with white butterfly motifs, waves as she walks between two rows of seated guests at a fashion show, circa 1975. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Knee-High Boots and Disco Dancing

A young woman with long blonde hair wearing a yellow turtleneck sweater, with a beaded necklace, patterned shorts and knee-high boots dancing at a disco, United Kingdom, circa 1975. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Floppy Sunhats

Actress Joan Collins holding a flower while posing in a sunhat during a formal portrait, July 4th, 1971. (Photo by Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Huge Tinted Glasses (Brown, Of Course)

British fashion model Paulene Stone, wearing a grey-and-black fleece jacket with sunglasses, at Heathrow Airport in Hillingdon, London, England, 27th January 1974. Stone, the widow of Laurence Harvey, was due to fly to the United States. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Promotional studio portrait of American country singer and songwriter George Jones with an acoustic guitar, circa 1970. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Hot Pants and Big Hair With a Neckerchief

A young woman models a pair of hot pants. (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)

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American actor, Gene Hackman in London, 7th September 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Hippie-Style With Desert Boots

A group of 'hippie' men and children sit in a park with tie-dyed tapestries on Earth Day, April 22, 1970. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Peak ’70s Rock Style: Flared Denim, Open Shirts, and Long Hair

Rock band Led Zeppelin, (left - right): John Paul Jones, John Bonham (1948 - 1980), Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, pose in front of their private airliner, The Starship, 1973. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Cousin Oliver Chic (Left) and Choir Robe Chic (RIght)

Actress Anita Pallenberg, whose films were less publicized than her relationships with three of the Rolling Stones. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Halterneck Dresses and "Snakey" Armbands

A model wearing a halterneck dress and a variety of armbands and bracelets, UK, 27th November 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Early Music Festival Style

Hippie music fans walking through the mud at Bardney Pop Festival, 9th June 1972. Both the women wear jeans, floral jackets and wide brimmed hats. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Jack Tripper in Track Jacket and Larry in a Mock Turtleneck

Actors John Ritter (1948 - 2003) and Richard Kline share a laugh in a still from the television series, 'Three's Company', circa 1970s. (Photo by ABC Television/Courtesy of Getty Images)

Holly Hobby Farmhouse Chic

Portrait of American country music singer and guitarist Loretta Lynn as she sits outside in a chair, 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

ABBA Was '70s Fashion

ABBA give the thumbs up after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with their song 'Waterloo', Brighton, 7th April 1974. Left to right: Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson. (Photo by Steve Wood/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

'70s Red Carpet Glam

circa 1975: Rock star Rod Stewart with girlfriend, film star Britt Ekland. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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20th May 1977: Country music queen Dolly Parton is back in London after performing at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, at a Scottish Royal Jubilee Television Special in the presence of the Queen, she now commences on a tour of Britain and the continent. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

It Can Only Be Described as Elvis-Style

circa 1975: Elvis Presley (1935 - 1977), the undisputed 'King of Rock 'n' Roll' and '70s style. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Knee-High Boots With Knitted Sweater

9th February 1972: At the launch of Saba Color Television in the United Kingdom, Justin Ane demonstrates an ultrasonic remote control to be used with the sets for adjusting sound, channel and contrast. (Photo by Wesley/Keystone/Getty Images)

Stevie Nicks' Bohemian Witch-Style

Promotional portrait of American pop and rock singer Stevie Nicks (of the group Fleetwood Mac) as she sits and looks upward, dressed in a lace shawl, late 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

1920s-Influenced Fashions

Models wearing 1920s retro-styled outfits, circa 1972. The man wears a peach-coloured double-breasted blazer with a cravat and two-tone shoes. The woman wears a black mini-dress with white trim, a turban-style hat, white gloves and red tights. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Patchwork and Laced Boots

A model wearing a patchwork pattern dress with white laced boots, circa 1975. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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A teenage girl wearing a metallic dress dancing at a discotheque, September 1974 (Photo by Chris McHugh/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

The Canadian Tuxedo (But Sexy)

English actress and model Vivien Neves (1947 - 2002) wearing a denim outfit of flared trousers and a matching jacket, 25th February 1971. (Photo by Mike. McKeown/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Serial Killer Glasses Before They Were Serial Killer Glasses

American director, producer, and screenwriter Steven Spielberg, 8th September 1978. (Photo by Graham Morris/Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Turbans and Gold Loop Earrings

Diana Ross, UK, 3rd April 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Bohemian Overalls

A model wearing jeans with patterns on the pockets and bib, UK, 5th May 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Wide Collars with Cravats

English actor Michael York, UK, 27th February 1974. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Sharp Shoulders on Men

Mick Jagger and his wife Bianca Jagger at a promotional party for the Rolling Stones album Goats Head Soup at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK, 6th September 1973. (Photo by Smith/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Men's Trousers With Loud "Statement Check" Pattern

Singer Andy Williams (1927 - 2012) entertains his English fans at his office in Hollywood, California, January 1974. (Photo by Cyril Maitland/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

White Leather Lace-Up Boots

Aimi MacDonald bouncing on a space hopper in the garden of a property, United Kingdom, 18th September 1970. (Photo by Dove/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Patterned Polyester Suits on Men, Pedal Pushers on Women

A man wearing a grey patterned suit sits on a tree trunk beside a woman, who wears pale blue pedal pushers with a matching shirt and lace-up knee-high boots, circa 1975. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Mini-Dress With Stockings

A young woman wearing a red-and-purple dress with red stockings smiles as she walks beside rosebushes of pink roses, United Kingdom, circa 1975. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Bare Midriff Swimwear

25 February 1970: Jan Souter shows off her midriff on a beach near Perth, Australia. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Knitted Ponchos

circa 1970: British folk singer-songwriter Sandy Denny sitting in a park. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Go-Go Boots in the Office

1970: Model Lucienne posing as a glamorous secretary. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

Preppy Kennedy Family Style

Three members of the Kennedy family at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, 12th June 1977. From left, John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960 - 1999), his sister Caroline Kennedy, and their mother, Jacqueline Kennedy (1929 - 1994). (Photo by Getty Images)

Sunglasses Over Kerchief

American first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929 - 1994), wearing a kerchief on her head, walks through a busy street with the Gaines girls in Capri, Italy, early 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Western Shirts, Vests and Men's Blouses

Rock group The Faces pose with photographer Richard Upper (right) at the UCSB Campus Stadium in Santa Barbara, California, during their American tour, 13th October 1973. Left to right: Rod Stewart, Ian McLagan. Ron Wood, Upper. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Huge Round John Denver Glasses

Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John in a pair of oversized glasses, circa 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Short Fur Coats With Fur Hats

Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John wearing a heavy fur coat outside the Savoy Hotel in London, circa 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The Statement Scarf

Twiggy and her manager and boyfriend, Justin de Villeneuve, holding wine glasses while attending an event at the Ritz Hotel in London, England, Great Britain, circa 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Men in Fur

English photographer Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield (1939 - 2005) and Swedish actress Britt Ekland in New York City, 15th February 1970. (Photo by John Cowan/Daily Express/Getty Images)

The Trouser Suit on Women

French fashion - a trouser suit by Yves Saint Laurent in stone gabardine with a double-breasted jacket, green crepe-de-chine shirt and stone felt hat, 23rd February 1970. (Photo by Reg Lancaster/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Bright Stripes on Sportswear

American tennis player Chris Evert, Palm Springs, California, November 1976. (Photo by Tony Duffy/Getty Images)

Early Skateboard Style With Knee-High Sports Socks

A young skateboarder performs a trick move on the half pipe at Skatopia on 1 March 1978 at the Skatopia skateboard park in Beuna Park, Los Angeles, California, United States. Visions of Sport. (Photo by Tony Duffy/Allsport/Getty Images)

Velvet Suits for Men

Two male fashion models wearing velvet suits, UK, 29th December 1969. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Suede Knee-High Boots

A woman reads 'Black Woman' magazine as she sits on a perfectly '70s floral-pattern armchair, circa 1970. (Photo by Susan Schiff Faludi/Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Roller Skating Chic With Socks, Suspenders and Headband

A man wearing shorts and suspenders dancing on roller skates in Washington Square Park, in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of Lower Manhattan, New York City, New York, 1979. (Photo by Peter Keegan/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Davy Crockett–Inspired Coonskin Hats

A man wearing a raccoon hat with patches and illustrations across the back of his jacket and trousers inspects the window display of a photographic supplies store on West 32nd Street in Manhattan, New York City, New York, circa 1975. (Photo by Peter Keegan/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The Higher the Hair...

Actress Maggie Smith, Old Vic Theatre, London, April 8th 1970. Smith was celebrating after winning her Best Actress Oscar. (Photo by McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)