’70s Fashion Trends That Are Working Their Way Back Into Our Closets

Burtland Dixon | November 29, 2024 7:28 pm

If you happen to find yourself shopping, whether it be online or at the store, you might notice something. We're talking about fashion trends. Overalls, long-sleeve dresses and more iconic styles from the '70s have reemerged on the market. If you've been around since that decade, you've probably already noticed this. Seeing folks walking around in their halter neckline tops must bring a vibrant smile to many faces. It's time to bring out the mustard yellow crop tops! Continue reading and see which '70s styles are back and ready to storm the streets everywhere.

Bell-Bottoms Then

woman sitting
Dove/Daily Express/Getty Images
Dove/Daily Express/Getty Images

Bell-bottoms were a huge hit during the '70s. There aren't many trends as iconic as this. This style of trouser became wider from the knees downward, which made a bell-like shape.

They became popular for women and men both in Europe and America during the mid-'70s. We have Sonny and Cher to thank for helping bring them mainstream! They would always wear bell-bottoms on their TV show which attracted a lot of fans.

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Bell-Bottoms Now

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bell bottoms
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Create & Cultivate
Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Create & Cultivate
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Back like they never left, bell-bottoms are starting to flourish all over again and it's exciting! Perhaps people wanted to feel nostalgic and that's why they choose to wear them. With the right outfit, you'll look like you belong on a runway.

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Go ahead and grab yourself some high-waisted bell-bottoms because they help give you a more flattering figure. Bell-bottoms go great with tennis shoes or platform sandals, whatever your vibe is for that day.

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Mustard Yellow Then

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yellow
Serge Lemoine/Getty Images
Serge Lemoine/Getty Images
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You were just as likely to see a color we deem regular such as blue, as much as you saw mustard yellow during the '70s. Even the refrigerators were mustard yellow which is saying a lot.

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This color had such a hold during this period. If you were lucky enough to live through this era, then you can attest to how popular this hue was. The cool thing is that its back and people are rocking it in new and unique ways...

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Mustard Yellow Now

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wearing yellow blazer outfit
Edward Berthelot/GC Images
Edward Berthelot/GC Images
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Today, our fridges might not be yellow, but our outfits flourish with that color. Supermodels, movie stars, and even athletes have stepped out donning this bright color. While it might take your eyes a moment to adjust when you see it out in public, you'll be happy you did.

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According to colorpsychology.org, "yellow exudes warmth, inspiration, and vitality. It is the happiest of colors." Throw on an outfit with this vibrant color and help brighten the days of those you encounter.

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Bell Sleeves Then

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1970
Arthur Sidey/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Arthur Sidey/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
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There was a wide range of options for sleeves during the '70s. You had the bishop sleeves, or you could go completely sleeveless. Then there were the bell sleeves as well, who could forget?

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Women's sleeves were generally tight with little room to navigate, so it was refreshing to allow them extra breathing room in the arm area. Some were wider than others, like the type you see in the image, whereas others only fell a couple of inches from the wrist.

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Bell Sleeves Now

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bell sleeves
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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If you want to pack on the nostalgia, then pair bell sleeves with bell bottoms for the ultimate '70s outfit! Aren't you glad bell sleeves are back in style? Well, they never really left because if you look through history, they can be seen in many photos.

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For a great outfit, you can put on a high waisted skirt or your favorite skinny jeans. The fashionista in you will find a way to pull together a stylish outfit featuring bell sleeves.

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Wrap Dresses Then

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1970
Deborah Turbeville/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Deborah Turbeville/Conde Nast via Getty Images
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If you owned a wrap dress during the '70s, then you were doing it right. It was like every woman had one at that time, primarily because they were an icon of the decade.

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You can thank designer Diane von Furstenberg for the rise of wrap dresses. A lot of funky patterns are attempting to make a comeback from this decade-- how does one decide which style to get? A safe bet will be to own a simple design or solid color if you're looking to get back into one...

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Wrap Dresses Now

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today
Morgan Lieberman/FilmMagic
Morgan Lieberman/FilmMagic
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Welcome to the future, where you can combine multiple trends with one top! Wrap dresses are often a go-to because they flatter basically any figure. They're also a gateway to allow you the chance to customize your whole style for the day.

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As you can see in this image, singer Camila Cabello has a unique wrap dress thanks to its pattern. The sleeves are also frilly in nature, but that didn't stop her from looking confident and fierce.

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Crop Tops Then

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1970
Andrea Blanch/Getty Images
Andrea Blanch/Getty Images
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Crop tops have been around for quite some time. They became a fashion trend during the '40s, and by the time the '70s came around, they reemerged in a new way. Meaning, the hemline started to rise, and the bottoms were cut lower.

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Pop culture icons donned them, and the popularity continued to soar. Cher would wear crop tops regularly, which only made those invested in pop culture want to wear them even more. Today, they've come such a long way, you won't even believe it.

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The Crop Top Today

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crop top
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During the early 2000s, crop tops fell off the radar. As of 2019, they've got that same radar going insane. The style isn't exclusive to women, either, as we've seen some of the most influential NFL players begin to sport the look.

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You can also make anything a crop top these days and get away with it. As long as you've got the appropriate bottoms to pair with it, like high waisted pants, you'll be a style king or queen.

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Co-ords Then

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cher
Bettmann/Contributor
Bettmann/Contributor
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It was easy to style during the '70s thanks to co-ords (coordinated look). Throwing on a top with an exciting pattern and adding the bottoms to match was a walk in the park.

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Sadly, the trend began dying off in the '80s and '90s. In those decades, it was a huge fashion faux pas to walk out the house sporting an outfit with a matching pattern. The good news is that the style has made a complete comeback.

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Co-Ords Now

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leopard print-1036789894
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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Today, co-ords have come a long way! They're no longer a fashion mistake and can be a huge statement. Some of the more popular styles include animal prints like snake, cheetah, and leopard.

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The patterns have come a long way, which has allowed them to be more acceptable. Outside of the animal prints, many are simple with fewer designs involved. Retail shops sell sets off the racks if you're looking to own your own outfit like this!

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Crochet Then

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outfits
Albert Watson/Condé Nast via Getty Images
Albert Watson/Condé Nast via Getty Images
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When you see someone wearing a crochet outfit, you don't ever have to wonder if they're comfortable. Something about crochet yells comfort. The material for sure helps keep you warm, so there's that.

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Also, your grandmother's home was probably filled with the stuff. None of that has a thing to do with the fact that this trend is back and better than ever. Well, its a bit hard to beat the original phase, but this modern era is trying...

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Crochet Now

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beyonce!
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
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If you aren't sure how to style it, then crochet can be a tough material to wear. Due to the large holes they may have, it might be best to wear a crochet top layered over another piece.

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Another tactic is finding a crochet piece with designs that don't show too much skin (unless that's what you're going for). If you aren't into that, there's always the hats, vests, and one of our personal favorites, scarves. The latter will definitely keep you warm in the winter.

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Halter Necklines Then

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neckline
Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
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There are only a few things certain in life: death, taxes, and the appearance halter necklines every few decades. When the '70s came around, the halter top dresses were perfect for the disco!

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While the ladies danced the night away at the disco party with the jive turkeys, that would only last for so long. The trend would end up vanishing and wouldn't make another appearance until the '90s. Well, they're on the rise once more...

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Halter Necklines Today

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
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The beauty of halter necklines is that they look sensational as a dress or as a top. It only depends on how you want to dress for the day. You can get fancy and sport an elegant dress to an important event and be the belle of the ball.

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Halter tops are more so on the casual side and can be worn with sneakers and jeans if you wish. In any event, you can't really go wrong with them!

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Long-Sleeve Dresses Then

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dresses
Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Horst P. Horst/Conde Nast via Getty Images
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There's no real reason as to why long-sleeve dresses went out of style in the first place. Aesthetically, there's nothing wrong with the fashion statement as they can often help your versatility.

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The regular dress can be limiting in colder environments, but you can throw on a long-sleeved one and help fight those goosebumps. Maybe, after the '70s people wanted to show more skin, and the sleeves prevented them from doing that. It doesn't matter now, because they're back.

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Long-Sleeve Dresses Now

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long-sleeve dresses today
shopscottswissja/Instagram
shopscottswissja/Instagram
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The cool thing with long-sleeve dresses is that depending on the style, you can completely shift what vibe you're going for when wearing one. You have the type that is a floor-length and bit looser, which gives you a classy feel.

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Conversely, you have the body-tight kind as you see in this image, which gives seductive energy. Feel free to wear whichever type floats your boat. You're bound to look stunning in whichever option you choose.

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Overalls Then

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during the '70s
Evening Standard/Getty Images
Evening Standard/Getty Images
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Overalls were the adorable wardrobe choice during the '70s. Not only that, but they were quite useful as well. They gave off the impression that you were ready to get your work done, but you wanted to look a little stylish too.

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Overalls would continue to be on the backs of citizens everywhere up until the '90s. In that decade they got the boot, but it wouldn't be for long because history always repeats itself...

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Overalls Now

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chance the rapper
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella
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Today, there's no limit to how you can style your overalls. You can put a hooded sweater underneath, a regular shirt, or wear nothing at all! Denim, in general, has made a fierce comeback, so overalls were bound to join the fun.

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Something neat about overalls is that they can come in different patterns too, so don't be afraid to test out some other options! You can also experiment layering with different types of tops, to mix it up.