Only ’70s legends can spot all these far-out fashion statements!

There were some 70s fashion trends that were just killer. This was the era of bell bottoms, hippie chic, and an anything goes kind of attitude. It was all about freedom and color with bright patterns all over everything. Not all of it was pretty, but most people didn’t care because the style was fun and free wheeling. The people who grew up in the 1970s as children and teens are in their 40s, 50s and 60s right now. They can fondly remember the clothes they wore in unflattering school photos and the various styles of the day.

Here are some fashion trends that only 70s kids remember.

Men’s Belted Sweaters

“M’lady, doth thou wish to dance?” That’s what we envisage any guy wearing one of these belted sweaters speaking like. Some poor excuse of old English grammar to match his poor excuse of 1970s fashion.

Tied Tops

Think Dukes of Hazzard, the TV show, on this one trend. The popular television show was all about the provocative clothing worn by their female leads. Daisy, a character played by Catherine Bach, always had that top tied just so way above her navel to show off her cute little figure. It was considered very sexy and on trend when this show aired in the 70s and 80s. Along with those teeny tiny “daisy duke” shorts to complete the look, men drooled over posters in their room of the star during this time period. Girls easily copied this look in their own lives. People still wear this trend today, but it’s mostly teenagers in the summertime, or cheerleaders in uniform.

Knee-High Socks

Socks aren’t usually such a big part of fashion. It wasn’t like that in the 70s. Socks were as important as practically anything else you wore. The socks were high, made of all different materials, and could be bright or patterned. They were best worn with your platform shoes or even a pair of roller skates for a truly disco fantastic vibe. All the hipsters had cool socks in the 70s. The striped kind were especially fun with contrasting or rainbow colors galore. At least this was a look that would keep your legs and feet warm!

Floor-Length Jumper Dresses

The 70s were a turning point in fashion, especially for women, but some of the more conservative looks were still popular, like the floor-length jumper dresses that when you see them, it just screams Anne of Green Gables, or Little House on the Prairie. We’re glad this is one trend not likely to be a hit again any time soon.

Big, Bold Prints

We’re pretty sure these are the precursor to your dad’s vacation Hawaiian shirt that we wears all throughout the summer and it’s still not OK. This trend seems to be making a comeback in recent years, but designers have toned down the patterns a bit. Though we’re not sure these lesser eyeball-burning variations are much better.

His & Her Matching Outfits

Nowadays, whenever a couple inadvertently dresses alike, one of them is likely to change. Back in the day of the 1970s, couples purposely went out like this. Let’s not do that again!

Vinyl Jumpsuits

This sexy look was popularized by musicians like David Bowie and Freddie Mercury of Queen. You had to be pretty thin to pull off this look, but both men and women wore it, especially to go clubbing. The jumpsuit was made mostly of shiny vinyl material to have the best impact. You could see this look in gold, silver, and even bright red or yellow. It was definitely an anything goes attitude for the vinyl jumpsuit. The bad part was that you had to take the entire outfit off to even attempt to go to the restroom! Not the best designed look for sure.

Bell Bottoms

Bell bottoms ruled the day in the 70s. Men, women, and children all sported this trendy look with ease. The origin of the bell bottom look came from the late 1800s and the naval men who wore this attire as part of their uniform. It was adapted in the 60s and 70s for a trend that rocked the world. It was even popularized in the 1971 song, “Bell Bottom Blues” by Derek and the Dominos. Sonny and Cher also wore the look on the television show and everyone wanted to be as cool as they were. This was a look that came back with a vengeance in the late 90s, with Gen X embracing this look coming out of the more careless grunge era of fashion.

Stripes Galore

Patterns, especially stripes, were very popular at the time with people from all walks of life. This wasn’t limited to just shirts either. Stripes on skirts, pants, or even whole suits made up of stripey material were very popular. The stripes could be wide or thin and in an array of different colors to suit every mood. The more contrasting the stripes, the better, is how this bold look was worn. The striped turtleneck was a very popular look that practically all children, both boys and girls, wore during the 70s. Parents loved the look so much that people even had striped socks.