In the 1970s, fashion was incredibly rebellious. People were tired of conforming to the same old things time after time and so they reacted with a brand new sense of style. Anything goes in the 1970s, and that’s especially true for how people dressed. Men grew their hair long and women wore short blonde haircuts with pixie cuts, afro hairstyles, and anything else they could think of. This is also the decade when fantastic fashions from films such as "Grease," "Saturday Night Fever," and "Anchors Aweigh" were at their peak popularity and had a lasting impact on fashion trends for decades to come. The impact of movies on 70s fashion is still being felt today, as many people are drawn to these films now more than ever thanks to streaming video services like Netflix.
Introduction of Words: T-Shirt and Leggings
The mid-to-late 1900s was a time when people began experimenting with new ways to express themselves, including via their clothing. This was especially true with youth subcultures such as punks, who were trying to distance themselves from the flower-power ideals of hippie culture. But many of the fabrics used to make clothes back then were very expensive. As a result, many people who wanted to be members of the punk subculture could not afford to dress in the style they wanted to. That’s where the t-shirt came in. This simple yet stylish garment was originally used as athletic attire. However, it was quickly adopted by the punks and other countercultural groups as a go-to item of clothing. The word “t-shirt” actually comes from the company that first started producing them.
Platform Shoes, Cowboy Boots and Dr Martens
The decade was also notable for its extensive shoe trends, many of which were heavily inspired by film fashions. For example, the Grease look was characterized by platform shoes and lots of zany colors. The disco look also had its own shoe fashions, such as the platform shoe with a suede upper and a wide sole. The mod look was all about black shoes of all kinds, while the punk look was all about Dr. Martens. The cowboy boot trend was inspired by the film "Anchors Aweigh." All of these styles are popular today, especially among people who like to dress in retro fashion. Wearing retro clothing and accessories is a great way to bring a bit of the 70s into your life.
Blaxploitation and African-American Culture
It’s true that blaxploitation films like Shaft and Coffy are known for their over-the-top action and 1970s fashion. However, the subgenre is also notable for being the first time that African-American culture was featured heavily on the big screen. Black characters were often portrayed as criminals or servants in films that otherwise focused on white protagonists. Films like "Shaft" and "Coffy" changed all that. They were the first films of their kind to feature predominantly black casts and black directors. In doing so, they also featured a new African-American fashion. Blaxploitation films were set in urban areas and incorporated elements of Afro-American culture including music, clothing, and slang, often with a satirical edge.
Disco Fever and Latin-inspired Fashion
The 1970s were a decade of experimentation when it came to fashion, with people trying new things, experimenting with fabrics and styles in a way they hadn’t before, and with that came the introduction of new words such as “leggings” and “t-shirt.” One particular subculture that also saw a lot of change in this regard was the disco subculture. At disco clubs, people donned shiny, glittery clothing that was heavily influenced by Latin-American culture. The fashion of this time period was known as “Latin-inspired disco fashion.” It featured a lot of gold glitter and colorful, loose-fitting clothes including pants, shirts, and blouses.
The Big Hair Bazaar
The big hair bazaar was a massive hair salon that opened in London in the early 1970s, catering to both men and women. The salon was famous for its massive hairdos and was a hub of activity throughout the decade. Big hair salons were very popular in the 70s and were found all over the world, including Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. They were especially popular in London, though, and one of the most famous salons was run by Vidal Sassoon. Big hair salons were hugely influential because they helped to spread the hairstyles of film stars around the world, making them more mainstream than they would have been otherwise.
Conclusion
The 1970s were a decade of experimentation when it came to fashion, and this had much to do with people trying new things and adopting new cultures. The introduction of new words like “t-shirt” and “leggings,” as well as changes in fashion like the platform shoe, are just a few examples of this. However, these things were not limited to the 1970s alone. They have also remained popular and have become staples of fashion in many ways.