It’s no secret that ‘70s fashion is having something of a moment… again. 50 years on, it seems the decade responsible for creating so many different trends and style tribes is never really out of fashion. Or, at least not for long.
And this season is no different, with many of the key identifiers of 1970s fashion spotted on the SS25 runways and available to shop on the high street today. While there’s plenty of inspo for 1970s fashion around at the moment, you can’t beat going straight to the source.
The likes of Diana Ross, Cher, and Bianca Jagger all brought the glamour in sequins, feathers, halter necks, and lamé. It was, after all, the heyday of New York’s Studio 54, the disco nightclub that opened in 1977 and became synonymous with its star-studded celebrity guest list.
Stevie Nicks, Farrah Fawcett, and Jane Birkin all represented a much more bohemian aesthetic. From handkerchief-hemmed peasant dresses to flared jeans and crochet, neutral colour palettes were in abundance, contrasted against psychedelic prints and patchwork. Not to mention textures including corduroy, velvet, and denim.
At the other end of the spectrum and a continuation of the 1960s were the sartorial choices of Jackie Kennedy and Twiggy in their two-piece suits highlighting the decade’s penchant for tailoring. Accessorised with platform sandals, neck scarves, and statement sunglasses for a fresh take and to distinguish the look against the preceding years.
Design houses, including Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, were leading the way on ‘70s style in couture fashion, but in the years since, that viewpoint has expanded with Chanel, Elie Saab, Michael Kors, and Chloe sending '70s-inspired looks down the SS23 runways. Elie Saab’s cross-halter neck crochet look has been living in my mind rent-free since I first saw it sashayed down the catwalk.
There was no shortage of '70s references from Virginie Viard at Chanel with the métiers d'art collection full to bursting with flared trousers, oversized jackets, earthy tones, and platform shoes. Michael Kors seemingly had a foot in both camps with suede fringing adorning skirts, vests, and clutch bags alike, shown alongside sequins galore and a plunging glitter dress Cher would be envious of. These themes were carried into the designer’s AW23 show, with the much-anticipated addition of shaggy shearling coats.
As for how to get the look – the aforementioned designers are unfortunately all out of our budget – the high street has plenty of options. To achieve boho chic, Monsoon has just launched its 50th-anniversary collection, digging through its archives for pieces inspired directly by the brand’s launch in 1973.
Similarly, Free People released a capsule collection inspired by Daisy Jones & the Six in collaboration with Prime Video, full of floaty tanks, printed kimonos, fringed jackets, and woven accessories. The basic rules to follow are, if it wouldn’t look out of place at a festival, you’re probably on the right track.
If you’re tempted to give the ‘70s trend a try, we’ve rounded up some signature pieces that you can shop now:
Rixo Kamilla cutout paisley-print silk crepe de chine maxi dress
Fendi Oversized Square-frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
