What was popular in fashion in the 70s? (Guest post by sophievintage8)

When I'm asked what's typically 70s for me, I spontaneously think of orange, flared trousers, platform soles, wild patterns and unusual dresses. I am now aware that fashion trends do not adhere to exact years and that trends are not born at the beginning of a new decade and disappear again at the end of the decade. Fashion develops, trends overlap with one another or suddenly become diametrically opposed to one another.

The early 70s were characterized by the hippie chic of the late 60s: flowing dresses, long hair, psychedelic patterns, tie-dye and various ethical influences. An icon of this time was Jane Birkin, who perfectly embodied the spirit of the times with her relaxed and natural beauty.

At the beginning of the 70s, bands like T-Rex with frontman Marc Bolan, Queen, the Sweet and David Bowie with his fictional character Ziggie Stardust shaped the era of glam rock. Theatrics and extravagance are reflected in their unusual, colorful and glittering costumes.

In the mid-70s, the time of hippi chic finally seemed to be over. This is where disco fever and punk attitude come into play. Both movements also shaped the early 80s. Disco relies on eye-catching outfits, shimmering suits, sequins and satin. The cult film Saturday Night Fever from 1977 with the BeeGees soundtrack and John Travolta in the lead role is a monument to the trend.

The antithesis of disco, glam rock and hippie chic? Punk! In 1971, Queen of Punk, Vivienne Westwood, opened her first store with Malcolm McLaren. The band Sex Pistols, whose manager was McLaren, had their first official gig in 1975. However, the band around John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon and Sid Vicous broke up again in 1978. Rebellious punk included torn clothing, rivets, leather jackets, and provocative accessories like safety pins in the ears.

Last but not least, I would like to point out a personal highlight from the 70s: the exhibition Visiona II by the Danish designer Verner Panton. The chemical company Bayer rented an excursion boat during the Cologne furniture fair, which was converted into a temporary exhibition space by well-known designers on the theme of “Living Today”. Some of the furniture, lights, wall coverings and textiles that were created specifically for this presentation were later put into series production in a modified form. (Source: https://www.verner-panton.com/de/collection/visiona-2/). For me, Visiona II is a milestone in interior design in the 70s with its exuberant creativity, colorful design and organic shapes.

Kind regards, your Sophie