39 Old Pictures From The 1970s Archives That Capture An Iconic Era

If you were to describe a typical '70s outfit, you’d probably mention one of the standard hippie looks consisting of bell-bottoms, a turtle neck, and some modest peace-sign-shaped jewelry. This type of bohemian fashion was all the rage in the first part of the decade.

Birthed by the counter-culture movement that encouraged everyone to “stick it to the man” and celebrated personal freedom, the fashion was carefree and fluid. The mood was created with flowy peasant blouses, maxi dresses, ponchos, and capes. The hair was long and natural; afros were in style. Men were growing out sideburns and proudly wearing mutton chops.

Natural colors and floral patterns took over for a while, too. Inspired by the new environmental movement, it moved away from the outrageous colors of the ’60s. Burnt orange, dark yellow, deep purple, and olive green were common in clothing and interiors.

When it came to interiors, wood and rattan, both of which reinforced the natural feel, were really popular. Many swapped the outdated wallpapers to wood paneling that gave a warm look to their rooms while rattan was used in furniture such as chairs and tables. It was all tied together with velvet that helped to balance it all out by adding luxurious coziness to the atmosphere. 

The emphasis of coziness is really notable when you look at the furniture that was popular back then. Curvy, cushy sofas were loved by many, while papasan chairs, egg chairs, and beanbags became lounging staples. Sunken living room designs or so-called conversation pits were popular, too.

The '70s were bursting with musical talent and innovations. Rock music was seeing a particular boom in the industry. Hard rock emerged with AC/DC, Kiss, and Aerosmith rising into stardom. Punk rock was also finding its audience with the Ramones, Blondie, and Patti Smith encouraging everyone to shun the mainstream.

Meanwhile, the mainstream was seeing the rise of disco music. Nightclubs were popping up all over the place and people needed dance anthems there and then. That’s when Gloria Gaynor gave the world “I Will Survive,” Chic made us “Le Freak,” and the Bee Gees reinvigorated everyone with “Staying Alive.”

Brought about by the disco music, the disco look also emerged in the '70s. The fashionistas were not afraid of showing off the body with revealing tube tops and halter neck styles becoming popular all over. Sequins were the go-to material, allowing bodies to shine under the nightclub lights. Short shorts, form-fitting pants, or long dresses with high slits were popular amongst women while men often opted for three-piece suits inspired by Saturday Night Fever.

Talking about inspirational movies, one cannot omit the monumental work made during this decade. The young filmmaking voices such as Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese premiered The Godfather, Jaws, and Taxi Driver respectively, all of which rocked the movie scene.

Genre movies also rose in popularity, with quite a few science fiction flicks garnering a lot of attention. The epic space opera, Star Wars, became an instant hit and gradually evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind got everyone talking about aliens, a topic that was further explored with Alien at the end of the decade.

All in all, the '70s culture was quite charming. Looking back, there are quite a few things one would love to bring back. Not the violence, homophobia, or carelessness, of course. Preferably, just the funky patterns and the awkward lingo. Right on, dude!

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