The 1970s were defined by an “all about me” mindset, and this desire for individuality bled into the world of fashion, which was absolutely crammed full of different trends. This isn’t dissimilar from fashion today. People are searching for their own unique style, and as a result, some of the biggest trends from the 70s are actually making their way back: Think flare jeans, suede jackets, and chunky belts.
As an analyst in Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab with a background in fashion and a past life as a fashion history lecturer, I’m always making connections between the clothes that are popular today and trends from the past. Here are some of the top 1970s fashion trends that I’ve noticed are still in style now or are on the up-and-up.
Flare jeans
In the 70s, flared jeans were known as bell bottoms, named for the bell shape created by the billowy fabric that flared outward from the knee to the hem. Flares these days aren’t quite as wide as they were in the 70s, but they’ve still got some volume. They look great paired with a minimalist heel or a sleek boot.
Turtlenecks
Turtlenecks were a basic wardrobe staple in the 70s, worn by people of all different fashion subcultures. While they’ve never really gone out of style, today’s turtlenecks are a little more adventurous. Sure, you can still opt for a simple style for layering, but there are plenty of interesting options to choose from—with contrasting zippers that extend right up to the chin, sheer fabrics, and cropped sleeves with boxy silhouettes.
Ponchos and capelets
A capelet screams Halston to me. Halston was a designer in the 70s known for his chic, streamlined looks, and he regularly incorporated airy capelets and capes into his collections. They’ve taken the 2026 wedding season by storm and are loved by wedding guests, bridesmaids, and even the brides themselves. The poncho is back too, but this time it’s with a sparkly flair.
Chunky belts
A belt was the “it” accessory in the 1970s, and the more prominent the design and placement, the better. Women and men wore belts to cinch their jackets and often styled the belts over their turtlenecks, slung low across the hips. Nowadays, these chunky, embellished belts are worn similarly, just paired with skirts or denim jorts, especially at music festivals.
Suede jackets
Suede jackets carried over from the counterculture movement of the 60s but with a more polished look, and brown was the reigning color of the 70s, so this style was everywhere. These days, brown suede jackets have similar details like big patch pockets and contrasting buttons but they’re meant to fit boxy with a cropped cut and a loose fit that doesn’t get cinched.
Gunne Sax style dresses
Gunne Sax was a popular 70s brand that was known for taking vintage details, like romantic Victorian designs and prairie styles and prints, and incorporating them into its modern-day dresses. They were ruffly, lacy, floral, and a bit demure, much like the coquettish, ultra-feminine granny dresses of today.
Headscarves
This year’s hottest hair accessory is the headscarf. I’ve seen tutorial after tutorial of how to style and wear a headscarf or bandana on my social media feed and learned a hack to get it to stay in place (place a hair clip inside the scarf near the temple to secure it to your hair). Paisley was particularly popular in the 70s, but any funky print sufficed.
Platform shoes
A pair of platform sandals can literally take your outfit to new heights. In the 70s, the chunkier and taller the platform was, the better. The shoes paired nicely with every hemline of the time, from long flared pants to mini skirts and maxi dresses. My favorite modern way to style a platform shoe is just how they often wore it in the 70s—with socks!
Hot pants
These may just look like a regular old pair of shorts today, but hot pants were the controversial 70s continuation of the miniskirt from the 60s. The ultra-short shorts were worn everywhere by everyone, even bridesmaids and flight attendants. I think they look particularly chic when paired with tights underneath (and offer a tad more coverage). While you can still opt for a 70s-inspired pair of hot pants, I prefer the even shorter micro-short that cuts upward, almost like a short and undergarment hybrid.
Halter tops
The most prominent top of the 1970s was the halter, exposing shoulders everywhere. Patterned versions coincided perfectly with disco fashion, while crocheted styles were great for the beach. They went hand in hand with oversized statement necklaces. Now, the halter is the night-out top of choice, especially a plunging satin version or one paired with a coordinating neck scarf.
Fringe bags
In the 60s and 70s, mainstream fashion was heavily influenced by other cultures, including Native fringe. A leather or suede fringe purse was the ideal accessory at the time. The bags haven’t changed much over the last 50 years, but today they’re usually paired with more minimalist outfits (white tee and baggy jeans), acting as the attention-grabbing detail.
