Why were the 1970s so.... well SEVENTIES!?

The 1970s seems to have a reputation of the era that fashion forgot... or forsook depending on your outlook. (NB- this is also the blog post that time forgot having been started some 18 months ago). Most people think of mid-century looks when they think of vintage, but the 1970s is a whole generation of fashion that shouldn't be forgotten.  Don't get me wrong the 1970s did have it's fashion shockers (well to me anyway!) but then every generation has some things which aren't as liked- even the ever popular 1950s. I personally am as big a fan of the 1970s as I am of the mid-century styles.  

History and Culture

Whenever I look at the fashion of a period the history lover comes out in me, and I look at the background as to what was going on at the time, both socially and politically because it has such a huge impact on the designers mind and what translates into the fashions.

The popular idea that the 1970s was full of hippies isn't quite accurate as the hippie movement was waning by the early 1970s from it's peak in the 1960s.  The conflicts of the Cold War were still present, however it had passed the peak in the 1960s.  It was also a period where the role of women in society became more important and more valued.  The feminist movement from the previous decade had started to be accepted and more positive outcomes in society were seen including the first female heads of state in a number of countries across the world (although sexism was still rife... there is the argument to be had it still is, both to men and women, but again that is for another discussion.... and discuss it I will!)

It was a period where the austerity of the 1950s was far behind and the peace loving of the 1960s was still present but felt less needed...the commercial materialism of the 1980s was starting to appear which obviously has a big influence on the fashion.

As one of the main influencers on more fashion, music should be mentioned.  There was rise in pop and rock music- but both genre's became more diverse.  Rock music could be anything from "soft rock" like The Carpenters, to "prog rock" like Pink Floyd or Supertramp. But equally R&B, Motown, Soul and even Jazz... as I am no musical expert I won't go in to too much detail but as we know even now every musical genre brings with it it's own fashion and style...especially the late 1970s and the appearance of the well loved Disco era and the fashion that came with it!  Television and film also had a huge impact on the era bringing out such classics as The Good Life (amazing contrast in fashion between the two sets of neighbours) and Terry & June, contrasted with the somewhat darker Porridge and Rising Damp: both showing different facets of society. 

Fashion

Every decade has a myriad of styles and trends some of the most memorable of the 1970s were:

• Bell bottom trousers (trip hazards if ever there was one- talking from experience)
• Jeans- the 1970s were the era that made jeans the staple wardrobe item they are today (it takes a lot to buck the jeans trend- but again that's a whole other blog post)
• Victoriana style- this style comes back time and time again, every generation has its own take on it. This era was the "granny" maxi evening dress (high necked with lace or frilly trim) and cameo combination.
• Platform shoes and clogs- you can't think 70s without thinking platforms!
• Shirts- men's large collars and loud prints were everywhere
• Lurex- I think I'll just leave that there.  Maybe put it in a sealed container as well....
• Farah Fawcett hair! 
• And many many more depending on your style!

So with the return of our Etsy shop (yes you heard it right) later this month you should get ready for some of our gorgeous 1970s pieces we have been hanging on to (some I have kept for my personal collection though!)