1970s is best decade for fashion and beauty, poll claims (2024)

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The 1970s has been crowned the best decade for fashion and beauty, according to research.

A study of 1,000 adults found more than 40 per cent would choose the disco era if they could revisit a decade.

Almost three in 10 wish they had lived through the seventies and 41 per cent believe ‘disco’ made it the most ‘fun’ period.

The study, commissioned by centre:mk, investigated styles from the last 40 years, revealing the most influential and fashionable items and memorable stylish personalities.

Among the trends participants cited for their 70s preference were bell-bottom trousers, platform shoes, knee high boots and maxi dresses.

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The 1980s was the second best decade for fashion and beauty, with respondents naming shoulder pads, big hair and shell suits as iconic.

A further 22 per cent believe Madonna is among the most memorable aspects of the 80s, while three in 10 credited Princess Diana as having a profound impact on how we dress today. David Bowie was named as the most influential male style icon.

Kurt Cobain, Karl Lagerfeld and Mick Jagger, were also recognised for their style.

Famous 1970s Campari advert with Lorraine Chase

The first two decades of the 21st century proved less popular for fashion, with many seeking a comeback for capri trousers, while among the items respondents wanted left in the past were underwear as outerwear, “Crocs“ shoes and “his and hers” outfits.

SWNS

1970s is best decade for fashion and beauty, poll claims (2024)

FAQs

How did 70s fashion impact society? ›

The '70s marked the first time in history when women could choose their own styles, and not be dictated to by Paris or New York. Before, when designers came up with new trends, entire wardrobes had to be thrown out or modified in order to stay in fashion.

What is 70s fashion known for? ›

Popular styles included bell bottom pants, frayed jeans, midi skirts, maxi dresses, tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos. Some accessories that will help pull together your early '70s Hippie outfits are chokers, headbands, scarves, and jewelry made of wood, stones, feathers, and beads.

How did fashion change in the 1970s? ›

The 1970s began with a continuation of the hippie look from the 1960s, giving a distinct ethnic flavor. Popular early 1970s fashions for women included Tie dye shirts, Mexican 'peasant' blouses, folk-embroidered Hungarian blouses, ponchos, capes, and military surplus clothing.

What influenced 1970s fashion trends? ›

Seventies fashion began with a continuation of the late 1960s hippie style. In the early 1970s, this meant an emphasis on handmade materials and decorations.

Why were the 70s so important? ›

Many remember the 1970s as a decade of soaring inflation, political upheaval, and the erosion of United States' prestige worldwide. But the significance of the seventies goes beyond high gas prices, Watergate, and Vietnam - profound changes to American politics, societal norms, and the nation's economy took root.

What was the 70s decade known as? ›

Tom Wolfe called the 1970s the "Me Decade." Across the land, Americans seemed determined to escape from the wars and social movements of the previous decade. Disillusionment with national and global action led many to look inward and find solace in discovering more about themselves.

What was iconic in the 70s? ›

Along with iconic movies such as Grease and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory hitting our screens, the 1970s saw punk and disco dominate the music scene and the world mourned the death of the King of Rock n' Roll.

Is the 70s back in fashion? ›

From glam rock to disco, designers can't get enough of the decade's revolutionary styles. As the return of Uggs, flared pants, and baby tees have taught us, fashion is cyclical, and no decade has gotten as much attention in recent years as the 1970s.

What was attractive in the 1970s? ›

The hippie look of the 1960s carried over to the early 1970s. Popular styles included bell-bottom pants, frayed jeans, midi skirts, maxi dresses, tie-dye, peasant blouses, and ponchos. Women in the early 1970s who didn't go for the hippie look often chose a dressier or dressy casual wardrobe.

What was considered attractive in the 1970s? ›

By the 1970's the thinking that being skinny and thin was a phenomenon full force. The bronzed skin, glossy lips, and layered haircuts, revolutionized women's beauty and became the look that every woman wanted to have.

What were some major trends in the 1970's? ›

15 Top Trends from the 70s
  • Bellbottoms. Bellbottoms were like the clothing mullet before the mullet was really a thing. ...
  • Platforms. Wanting to be taller is a common wish among people. ...
  • High-waisted jeans. ...
  • Tie-dye. ...
  • Feathered hair. ...
  • The afro. ...
  • Corduroy. ...
  • Circular sunglasses.

Was the 1970s a good decade? ›

The 1970s were perhaps the worst decade of most industrialized countries' economic performance since the Great Depression. Although there was no severe economic depression as witnessed in the 1930s, economic growth rates were considerably lower than previous decades.

Why was the 1970s the decade? ›

The term "'Me' Decade" describes a general new attitude of Americans in the 1970s, in the direction of atomized individualism and away from communitarianism, in clear contrast with social values prevalent in the United States during the 1960s.

What was the biggest thing in 1970? ›

1970
  • The popular band "The Beatles" announces they have disbanded.
  • NASA's Apollo 13 Moon Mission returns to Earth successfully after abandoning its mission to the Moon after experiencing oxygen tank problems and an explosion.
  • The first jumbo-jet, the Boeing 747, makes its debut commercial flight from New York to London.

Who was a 70s fashion icon? ›

From Cher and Jane Birkin to Diana Ross and Bianca Jagger, these were some of the biggest style icons of the 1970s.

Is 70s fashion in Style 2022? ›

2022 also sees a nostalgic revival of 70s fashion. Think patchwork, fringes, clogs, suede vests and flared jeans. The trend is a celebration of the return of craftsmanship as glorified by Gabriela Hearst and Paco Rabanne's collections with their psychedelic prints and patchwork knits.

Is 70s style coming back 2022? ›

The 1970s is making a comeback, fused with Y2K nostalgia and contemporary designers. Festival fashion is an insightful indicator of what styles will take shape for the upcoming season. Coachella 2022 gave fashionistas clear direction for what the summer's fashion scene would have in store.

How would you describe the 70s aesthetic? ›

Funky and Groovy: A 70s Aesthetic. Picture this: bell bottoms, shag rugs, mustaches, and late-night disco. Graphic spirals and flowers, neatly stacked onto wallpaper in a smoky lounge. A whole new world of warm-hued, full-color photographs in magazines, swaying and sparkling to soulful tunes.

What design style was popular in the 70s? ›

From upholstery and wall art to wallpaper and accent pillows, eye-catching prints and patterns are hallmarks of 70s interior design. Think funky geometric shapes, jungle prints, and psychedelic designs. These bold, playful prints are part of what's gaining traction in modern design.

What was expected of a woman in the 1970s? ›

Many women had jobs outside their home, but still were responsible for most housework and childcare while their husband's only responsibility in a marriage was to go to work and earn money to support the family.

Was makeup popular in the 70s? ›

Makeup trends in the 1970s ranged from all-natural to bright glam Disco styles. For most looks, the base consisted of sheer barely-there foundation with pink blush and lightly filled in eyebrows. Depending on the desired style, eye shadow and eyeliner left more room for expression, like in Disco and Punk looks.

What was feminism like in the 1970s? ›

Protests. Feminists marched, lobbied and protested throughout the 1970s, often in clever and creative ways. The Ladies' Home Journal sit-in led to changes in how women's magazines, which were still being edited by men and marketed to women as subservient to their husbands, were produced.

What was the mood of the 70s? ›

In polls taken at the end of the 70s, people looked back at a decade of “disillusion and cynicism, helplessness and apprehension,” a list we might as well round out with disorientation, paranoia, boredom, and frustrated rage.

What did people value in the 1970s? ›

In the 1970s it was as if everyone was standing up and speaking out, fighting for their rights and for equality between all. People of color and women were fighting for the respect they deserved.

What impact did fashion have on society? ›

Positive Impacts of Fashion Trends on Society

The new fashion trend makes even an ordinary person into a special person. It gives an identity to the wearer, or else people get unnoticed. Last but not the least, it is an opportunity to amalgamate different cultures and traditions.

What impact does fashion have on society? ›

Fashion has the ability to change and shape lives through its personal connection to us all. We all have to wear clothes and every piece of clothing we buy represents a personal choice – it is this intrinsically human relationship between us and our fashion that makes it political.

What is the social impact of the fashion industry? ›

It employs more than 300 million people in the whole world. Most of them are young women who frequently face terrible conditions and abuse. They work on farms and in garments factories, being exploited and even forced to abort their pregnancy to continue working.

What were the cultural trends of the 1970s? ›

Almost all aspects of American society in the 1970s were marked by a restlessness and a questioning of traditional authority. From public protest movements to personal fashion, people sought a means of self-expression.

What are the 3 key influences on fashion? ›

Fashion Designing Basics: Factors Influencing Popular Fashion
  • Fashion Forecast (Colour & Fabric) Deciding the colour, fabric and look for the upcoming season is something that every designer works on. ...
  • Movies & Music. The entertainment world is a major influencer of fashion. ...
  • Fashion Stylist. ...
  • Economy of a Country.
Dec 20, 2017

How did fashion affect women's rights? ›

Many women's rights activists were anti-fashion, claiming fashion was the acceptance of female oppression. Suffrage leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton believed fashion kept women from achieving their full potential and was a way to keep women subservient to men. Other suffragists followed the example of Susan B.

What are 4 factors that influence fashion trends? ›

Factors That Influence Fashion
  • Psychological Factor.
  • Social Factor.
  • Economic Factor.
  • Cultural Factor.
  • Political Factor.
  • Environmental Factor.
  • Physiological Factor.
Oct 13, 2022

Why fashion is a trend? ›

When people see these new styles, they often want to imitate their favorite stars. To do so, they seek out the latest fashions—clothes, shoes, jewelry, etc. —to make themselves look like the people they want to be like. In this way, fashions constantly change over time.

Why is fashion important to culture? ›

The clothes we wear tell stories of our culture and our heritage – things that can't easily be shrugged on and taken off at will. Tradition is also passed down in the creation and construction of our clothes.

What are fashion trends influenced by? ›

Fashion trends are influenced by several factors, including cinema, celebrities, climate, creative explorations, innovations, designs, political, economic, social, and technological. Examining these factors is called a PEST analysis.

How fast fashion affects society? ›

Basically, if a product has a short service life, soon one will have to throw it away. Therefore, producing more trash and heavily polluting the environment. After all, we are talking about the disposal of clothes on a world scale. Actually, most of the time, these pieces end up in landfills or being incinerated.

What is social value in fashion? ›

In general, social values are associated with a high need for affiliation and group identification, conformity, and a greater emphasis on both the utilitarian and the display aspects of clothing (style and brand name).

What are 2 negative impacts of the fashion industry? ›

While the fashion sector is booming, increasing attention has been brought to the impressive range of negative environmental impacts that the industry is responsible for. Fashion production makes up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions, dries up water sources, and pollutes rivers and streams.

What made the 70s unique? ›

The 1970s were a tumultuous time. In some ways, the decade was a continuation of the 1960s. Women, African Americans, Native Americans, gays and lesbians and other marginalized people continued their fight for equality, and many Americans joined the protest against the ongoing war in Vietnam.

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