The 1970s was a bold and colorful decade for fashion. It was all about self-expression, freedom, and breaking away from the rules. As culture shifted and social movements grew, style became more personal and diverse. Instead of one defining trend, there were many—and people mixed and matched them freely.
At the start of the decade, the hippie look was still strong. Earthy tones, natural fabrics, and handmade items were everywhere. People wore bell-bottom jeans, fringe jackets, peasant blouses, and maxi dresses. Tie-dye, crochet, and ethnic-inspired prints added to the relaxed, bohemian vibe. This style was a carryover from the ’60s and reflected a desire for peace, nature, and individuality.
By the mid-70s, disco took over. Clubs and dance floors inspired a new kind of glam fashion. People dressed to shine. Metallic fabrics, sequins, and bold colors ruled the scene. Jumpsuits, halter tops, platform shoes, and wrap dresses became popular. Disco fashion was loud, fun, and all about movement. Studio 54 in New York became the heart of this look.
The 1970s also blurred gender lines in fashion. Women wore pants, suits, and casual clothes more often. Men experimented with bright colors, patterns, and bold accessories. Unisex fashion became common. Denim was everywhere—jeans, jackets, and even full denim outfits. Bell-bottoms were especially popular. The leisure suit was another big trend. Usually made of polyester, it was a casual yet stylish option for men. It showed the growing desire for comfort in everyday dressing.
Overall, 1970s fashion was about celebrating individuality and embracing the freedom to dress in whatever style suited your personality or mood. There was no one “look” that defined the decade—instead, it was a collage of influences, movements, and innovations that created one of the most diverse and expressive eras in fashion history. Whether dressed in laid-back boho layers or shimmering disco attire, people in the 1970s used fashion to make statements, break rules, and fully embrace the era’s spirit of change.
Fashion Icons
Cher- Cher was one of the most daring and influential fashion icons of the 1970s. Known for her fearless style and ever-changing looks, she used fashion as a form of personal expression and performance art. Whether on stage, television, or the red carpet, Cher turned heads with her bold choices, helping to redefine what it meant to be glamorous, edgy, and unapologetically unique.
During the 1970s, Cher rose to fame as part of the musical duo Sonny & Cher, and later as a solo performer and actress. Her appearance on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour made her a weekly style inspiration, as millions of viewers tuned in to see her dramatic outfits. She became known for wearing daring ensembles—think plunging necklines, belly-baring tops, sheer fabrics, feathers, sequins, and bold patterns. Her style was a mix of bohemian flair, disco glam, and high-fashion drama, often pushing the limits of what was considered acceptable at the time. Cher’s collaboration with designer Bob Mackie played a huge role in shaping her image. Together, they created unforgettable looks that often combined showgirl sparkle with high fashion.
Cher’s fashion influence extended far beyond her own performances. She helped popularize the idea that women could be both powerful and glamorous, embracing individuality and confidence through style. Her fearless fashion choices inspired future generations of artists and fashion lovers. In a decade defined by self-expression, Cher stood out as a true original—someone who didn’t just follow trends, but created them. Her legacy in 1970s fashion is a celebration of creativity, boldness, and the power of owning your image.
Diana Ross- Diana Ross was a true style icon of the 1970s, known for her glamorous, show-stopping fashion and commanding stage presence. After rising to fame in the 1960s as the lead singer of The Supremes, she truly came into her own in the ’70s as a solo artist, actress, and fashion trendsetter. Her look evolved with the decade, blending elegance, sparkle, and drama in a way that made her one of the most memorable fashion figures of the era.
In the early 1970s, Ross embraced the glitz and glam of the disco era, often wearing sequined gowns, feathered ensembles, and dramatic silhouettes that made her stand out in any crowd. She favored floor-length dresses, plunging necklines, and luxurious fabrics that shimmered under stage lights. Her glamorous style wasn’t just about clothing—it was a performance in itself. Every outfit added to her larger-than-life persona, whether she was singing on stage, acting on screen, or appearing at high-profile events.
Ross also helped shape the image of Black beauty and fashion during a time when representation was limited. She proudly wore natural hairstyles like afros and long curls, celebrating her roots and inspiring others to do the same. Her beauty, poise, and fashion sense influenced not just music fans, but designers, photographers, and other artists around the world.
As the decade continued, Diana Ross’s influence only grew. She embodied the confidence, power, and glamour that defined 1970s fashion, while also breaking barriers for women and people of color in entertainment and style. Her fashion choices were bold, elegant, and full of personality—just like her. Even today, Diana Ross remains a timeless symbol of fashion, strength, and star power.
Stevie Nicks- Stevie Nicks emerged as a unique and unforgettable fashion icon in the 1970s, known for her mystical, bohemian style that perfectly matched her ethereal voice and poetic songwriting. As the lead singer of Fleetwood Mac, Nicks stood out not just for her musical talent, but for the dreamy, romantic aesthetic she brought to the stage. Her look became instantly recognizable and deeply influential, helping to define the “boho-chic” style that remains popular to this day.
Stevie’s signature fashion in the ‘70s included flowing chiffon dresses, velvet shawls, layered skirts, lacy blouses, and long, trailing sleeves. She often wore dark, moody colors like black, deep burgundy, and midnight blue, creating a witchy, otherworldly look that felt both mysterious and powerful. Her accessories—top hats, platform boots, scarves, and chunky silver jewelry—added to her mystical image. Everything she wore felt personal, symbolic, and effortlessly cool, as if she stepped straight out of a fairytale or dream.
What made Stevie Nicks’s style so impactful was that it wasn’t about following trends—it was about creating her own. In a time when disco glitz and polished pop star looks dominated, Stevie offered something softer, more soulful, and deeply individual. Her fashion became an extension of her music and her storytelling, inspiring fans to embrace their inner magic and dress in a way that felt true to themselves.
Stevie Nicks’s influence went far beyond the 1970s. She became a symbol of free-spirited femininity and creative expression. Her blend of romanticism, strength, and mystery continues to inspire artists, designers, and fans alike. In a decade filled with loud statements and bold trends, Stevie carved out her own path—and her style remains as iconic as her voice.
Farrah Faucett- Farrah Fawcett was one of the defining fashion icons of the 1970s, known for her all-American beauty, effortless style, and vibrant energy. Rising to fame through her role on Charlie’s Angels, Farrah quickly became a household name and a symbol of modern, approachable glamour. Her fashion influence was widespread, shaping the decade’s trends and redefining the image of the confident, active, and stylish woman.
Farrah’s signature look was casual, sporty, and fresh—reflecting the cultural shift toward more relaxed, practical fashion. She often wore high-waisted flared jeans, fitted T-shirts, halter tops, and one-piece swimsuits, creating a look that was both feminine and athletic. Her iconic red swimsuit poster became one of the most famous images of the 1970s, showing that sexy didn’t have to mean overdone—it could be natural and easygoing.
Her hair became a cultural phenomenon of its own. The feathered, voluminous waves she wore on Charlie’s Angels inspired millions of women to mimic the style. Known simply as the “Farrah” haircut, it was light, bouncy, and perfectly matched her radiant personality. Salons across the country were flooded with requests for her signature look, making her one of the most imitated style icons of the decade.
Farrah Fawcett represented a new kind of fashion icon—one who embodied strength, health, and independence. She helped popularize a more casual, California-cool aesthetic that embraced natural beauty and a sense of ease. Her influence was everywhere, from magazine covers to department store fashion racks. More than just a TV star, Farrah became a symbol of 1970s American style: laid-back, sun-kissed, and effortlessly chic. Her legacy still resonates today, reminding us of a time when fashion felt free, fun, and full of life.
David Bowie- David Bowie was one of the most revolutionary and influential fashion figures of the 1970s. More than a musician, he was a chameleon of style who constantly reinvented his image. Bowie used fashion as a form of performance and storytelling, blending art, music, and identity in ways that had never been seen before. Each persona he created—especially Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane—challenged social norms and redefined what it meant to be a pop star.
Bowie’s style in the ’70s was bold, theatrical, and fearless. He wore brightly colored jumpsuits, platform boots, metallic fabrics, and gender-fluid silhouettes. His androgynous appearance, often enhanced with dramatic makeup, fiery red hair, and glitter, pushed boundaries in both fashion and culture. He embraced glam rock’s extravagance and took it further, turning the stage into a runway of wild imagination and rebellion.
What made Bowie’s influence so powerful was his refusal to be boxed in. He constantly evolved—transitioning from the glam alien Ziggy Stardust to the suave, monochromatic Thin White Duke. This reinvention showed that fashion could be fluid, transformative, and deeply personal. He inspired people to see style as more than just clothing—it was a way to express identity, freedom, and creativity.
David Bowie paved the way for greater acceptance of gender expression and nonconformity in fashion. He influenced not only fellow musicians but also designers, artists, and generations of fans. In the 1970s, when society was shifting and exploring new ideas, Bowie stood at the forefront, proving that fashion could be as provocative and groundbreaking as any song. His legacy lives on, reminding us that true style comes from daring to be different and embracing who you are—no matter how many times that changes.
Elton John- Elton John’s fashion in the 1970s was as flamboyant, colorful, and unique as his music, making him one of the era’s most iconic and influential style figures. Known for his extravagant stage outfits, he transformed the way rock stars approached fashion, blending bold colors, over-the-top accessories, and theatrical flair into a distinctive look that made him a fashion icon. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Elton’s outfits were designed to stand out and make a statement. He often wore tailored suits with glitter, feathers, and rhinestones, paired with oversized glasses that became as much a part of his persona as his music.
One of Elton’s most notable contributions to ‘70s fashion was his embrace of androgyny. He wasn’t afraid to wear items that were traditionally feminine, like sparkly jumpsuits, satin pants, and platform boots, challenging traditional gender norms in the process. His stage costumes, designed by fashion visionary Bob Mackie, were especially extravagant, often featuring sequins, feathers, and elaborate embellishments. These flamboyant outfits, such as his famous Union Jack jumpsuit, were not just about style; they were about performance and spectacle, elevating his shows into a visual experience as much as a musical one.
Beyond the stage, Elton’s fashion choices influenced everyday trends. His use of bold patterns, oversized accessories, and dramatic clothing encouraged fans to experiment with their own wardrobes and embrace eccentricity. Elton John’s fearless approach to fashion helped break down barriers and allowed for a broader acceptance of self-expression in clothing. His legacy as a fashion icon from the ‘70s continues to inspire both musicians and fashion enthusiasts alike, as his distinctive style remains timeless.
