The 1970s was an era of great social change, the boom in hippie culture and, surprisingly, the invention of email. If they only knew, all these years later we’d be plagued by emails with tempting ASOS sales and Duolingo telling us it’s been 2,356 days since our last streak.
Gen Z has been obsessed with the seventies look lately, and with good reason. The style of the 70s was full of colour, flower power, patterns and fabrics. Bell bottoms, jumpsuits and all things crochet dominated the fashion scene in the early, mid and late 1970’s. People experimented with their clothes every day and took risks with their wardrobes. We want to be inspired by that, because monochrome is So last week.
We’ve put together the ultimate 70’s style guide for women, featuring dresses, tops, bottoms, shoes and accessories from British high street brands so you can dress up to celebrate the disco era. We might also throw in a few fun ’70s facts to get you in the groove. Do you dig it?
SHOP: The ultimate 70s style guide for 2022
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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
We’ll start with 70’s style dresses. One thing to know about the ’70s is that they didn’t hold back when it came to patterns.

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CREDIT: oasis
The phrase “flower power” was used in the late 1960s and early 1970s to represent the non-violence and anti-war attitude of the time.

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CREDIT: ASOS
Chiffon was a popular fabric in the ’70s and makes you totally hippie-dippy.

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CREDIT: Never fully dressed
Before the ’80s conquered a hotbed of sequins, the late ’70s got off to a flying start with all things glitter. This gorgeous dress also features balloon sleeves, which is a disco staple.

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CREDIT: I saw it first
Feel like a total earth goddess in this green number.

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CREDIT: Etsy
Ok, so this dress is a bit too stuffy, but hey?? A dress crocheted entirely from scratch?? Come to our shopping cart.

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CREDIT: warehouse
In the top half, we love this combo of brown and purple – creating a natural, down-to-earth palette. ✌️🌍

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
Thanks to the sexual revolution that began in the ’60s, crop tops exploded in the ’70s scene, with both men and women rocking the crop. In fact, that is what is said Crop Tops were first attracted to male bodybuilders who would “cut off the bottom of their shirts to circumvent the gym dress code, which prevented men from working out shirtless”.

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CREDIT: Joanie
There are three patterns for this blouse, but we think the ‘Winter Berry’ print screams seventies the most.

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CREDIT: ASOS
Swirly whirly 😵💫Don’t look at the pattern for too long, you might get confused.

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CREDIT: misled
No, your eyes aren’t fooling you – it is indeed a 70’s top that is pattern free. You can easily rock the hippie look without a print.

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CREDIT: Debenhams
This top uses a “Barrymore collar,” a style of collar popularized by actor John Barrymore in the ’70s. It’s hella camp.

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CREDIT: Debenhams
Now moving on to the bottoms and be warned there are a lot of bell bottoms/flares ahead. These special torches also come with a matching top.

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
Earthy orange and brown became the colors of the 1970s, as a rebellion against the artificial. This pattern also reminds us of the static lines that would appear on old televisions.

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CREDIT: Ultamodan
Velvet was one of the hottest fabrics of the ’70s, and these Ultamodan flared pants come in a choice of red, black, green, dark green or purple.

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
It wouldn’t be a ’70s style guide without some good ol’ jumpsuits. 😍

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CREDIT: ASOS
Jumpsuits were often worn by both sexes in the ’70s, with Elvis and Cher being the jumpsuit icons of the era.

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CREDIT: Karen Millen
Unfortunately, the 70s introduced double denim 🤢 Just put it on one Layer up denim here with this halterneck jumpsuit.

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CREDIT: ASOS
This jumpsuit is fabulous but be warned – reviews say the bust only fits an A/B cup. Little boob club, get up 🙌

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
Gone are the days when putting on your coat ruined your look – the ’70s are here to help.

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
Faux fur lined coats, faux fur lined coats all over. 🙌

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CREDIT: HM
Combine vegan leather and fur in this ’70s mash-up to die for. Comes in black or olive green.

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CREDIT: ASOS
Look at that faux fur trim – fabulous darling.

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CREDIT: ASOS
Rather than going all-white, wearing slightly muted colors like buttermilk can complement ’70s Au Naturel styling.

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CREDIT: warehouse
Another slightly expensive option, but mom always said to spend money on a good quality coat. 👀

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
Shoes – you can never have too many. The 1970s prioritized big sales over everything else. All we can say is, RIP your ankle. 🙏

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CREDIT: ASOS
Loafers actually became popular in the 50’s but experienced a resurgence in the 70’s and 80’s. Preppy authenticity.

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CREDIT: Fitflop
No ordinary sandals allowed. Platforms have always been the way to go.

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CREDIT: Urban outfits
Another style popular in the ’70s was the Mary Jane shoe, and we’re obsessed with it.

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CREDIT: ASOS
This heel height is a whopping 12.5 cm, so not for the faint of heart. Only brave warriors.

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CREDIT: misled
Knee-high boots were also a must in more subtle colors, not like the bright knee-high platforms of the ’60s.

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CREDIT: Super dry
Would you rather opt for something more reserved? We get it – here’s a great option from Superdry.

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CREDIT: Pretty little thing
Let’s talk accessories. iPhones didn’t exist in the ’70s, but that doesn’t mean you can’t deck out your tech with the era’s funky patterns.

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CREDIT: ASOS
The hippie movement led to hair bands galore.

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CREDIT: puzzle
Resin jewelry emulates the radical styles of the past, and this pair from Jigsaw comes in green or red.

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CREDIT: Etsy
Although mod fashion went out of style in the early 1970s, some of its influencers stuck with it, including the use of shapes.

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CREDIT: Urban Outfitters
Flowers – are we surprised? But not mad. 😍

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CREDIT: Etsy
Get the individual colors for £8 or the whole collection for £20.

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CREDIT: Etsy
Peace and love maaaan ✌️.

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CREDIT: Oliver Bonas
This necklace is the izz, fo-sho. (😬 Sorry…)

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CREDIT: Etsy
Do you remember your grandma had a penchant for big glasses? Yes, you have the 70s to thank for that. Your grandma was damn stylish. With these glasses from the Etsy shop Insurgenteyewear you can get them in prescriptions from +100 to +400 as well as clear.

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CREDIT: Etsy
Remember to get UV goggles. Okay, lecture over.

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CREDIT: ASOS
These sunglasses are great because they are 100 percent recycled. “After being chopped into chips, the old plastic is melted down and pressed into virgin plastic.”

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CREDIT: Etsy
You can contact shop owner Eloise for custom colors for your crochet bag – totally bitch.

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CREDIT: ASOS
The conclusion of our style guide is this corduroy bag from ASOS, which stands above everything else THAT Stuff of the 70’s because of its working class roots. Sew a peace sign patch on this bad boy and you’re good to go.
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