The 1970s gave us some of the most memorable men’s style choices that people still discuss today. As a guy who loves fashion history I find these bold vintage trends very interesting to explore. Here is some simple information about how guys used to dress during that wild decade.
Wide Bell Bottom Pants
These pants were tight at the top and got super wide at the bottom near the shoes which is a look some guys still try to pull off today. I personally think they look a bit funny but they were the absolute biggest trend for anyone wanting to look cool back then.
Shiny Polyester Leisure Suits
Guys used to wear these matching jacket and pants sets made out of shiny synthetic material instead of wearing traditional heavy business suits. They came in really bright colors like baby blue or mint green and while they look like pajamas to me they were considered very stylish.
Tall Platform Shoes
Men actually wore shoes with massive thick soles and huge heels just to add a few extra inches to their height before hitting the town. Walking in them looks pretty dangerous and uncomfortable but they matched perfectly with those super wide pants everyone was wearing.
Shirts With Huge Collars
The collars on button down shirts were so big that their points would stretch all the way out to the shoulders like airplane wings. Guys usually left the top few buttons open to show off their chest hair which is a bold move that some people still think is pretty confident.
Bright and Loud Patterns
Plain colors were boring in the seventies so men wore shirts covered in crazy geometric shapes and really bright floral prints almost every day. It is a very loud look that definitely grabs attention the second you walk into a room even if it is a bit too much for my personal taste.
Thick Corduroy Fabric
You would see guys wearing corduroy jackets and pants all year round because it was a huge staple in almost every single closet. The fabric is actually really durable and warm so I totally get why people liked it even though the brown and orange colors were a bit dull.
High Waisted Trousers
Instead of sitting low on the hips pants were worn way up high near the belly button and secured with a wide leather belt. This style completely changes your body shape by making your legs look super long and some fashion guys today are actually starting to wear this again.
Tight Fitting Shirts
While the pants were loose and flowing the shirts up top were worn extremely tight to show off the body underneath. It takes a lot of confidence to wear something that hugs your ribs so closely but it was just the normal way guys dressed to go out to clubs.
Sporty Tracksuits Everywhere
Towards the end of the decade guys started wearing matching athletic tracksuits just to hang out or run errands around the city. I am actually a huge fan of this one because athleisure is so popular right now and being comfortable is always a massive win in my book.
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