We have all heard of the 20-year rule among fashion trends. To no surprise, spring and summer 2021 fashion week displayed all of our favorite funky and vibrant retro looks from the 1970s.
Chunky shoes, bell-bottom jeans, fringe, and floral prints are just a few of the things they say are supposed to come back into fashion in the near future.
“70s fashion is definitely coming back,” junior art education major Emily Shelton said. “I think Farrah Fawcett hair has also had a come-back,” Shelton said. “Afros have also made a comeback as both men and women of color are sporting their natural hair.”
“Personally, I love 70s fashion because I think it looks so good on all body types, like with bell-bottoms. I love the funky and fun styles from the 70s such as chunky boots and sweaters with fringe. I like thrifting or finding vintage clothes in order to be fashion forward while also being sustainable.”
News site Insider predicts that “Bold, out-there, and Pop Art-inspired floral prints will continue to be everywhere.”
According to fashion magazine Marie Claire, “One of fashion’s most emulated decades, winter will continue to mirror the era’s burnt oranges and olive-tone hues, while mastering prints like argyle and paisley.”
Senior art education major Mimi Tierney said, “I think floral prints are getting big again and especially the color palette of mustard yellows, pastel pinks and blues, with deep reds/browns are making a comeback.”
While we saw the rise of the skinny jean in the early 2010s, flare jeans and bell-bottoms are making a comeback. With Y2K style jeans increasing in popularity over the past year, Y2K jeans have taken inspiration from the 70s bell-bottom shape,
and celebrities like Bella Hadid and Margot Robbie have already caught on. What was first seen on disco queens in the 1970s can now be found on Saint Laurent’s website for $2,300.
Patchwork designs are on the rise but are arguably one of the hardest trends to pull off without looking a “little too retro.” According to The Zoe Report, “One of the easiest ways to pull off the ‘70s patchwork trend is opting for a pair of jeans with a modern fit that will balance out the vintage feel.”
Mini skirts graced runways this past fall, marking their official return to fashion in shows for “Giambattista Valli, Hermès, Isabel Marant, and Coperni,” according to Refinery29. While mini skirts strongly resemble 1960s fashion, the trend has influenced the fashion industry for many years. However, designers seemed to have a more refined approach this time around.
Refinery29 observed that “Mrs.Prada continued to fight against bulky, layered-on fashion with the reintroduction of micro-mini skirts and -dresses at her Miu Miu show.”
The beloved clog of the ‘70s, or what many refer to as the infamous “ugly shoe,” has finally resurged, “Thanks to designers like Hermès, Isabel Marant, and more,” says online women’s magazine Bustle.
The nostalgia of chunky shoes has been brought back along with clogs. With similar shoes like chunky boots and sneakers already taking over “For You” pages and feeds, it is only inevitable for the clog to make its return. Fringe has also forged its way back into fashion after making a small cameo in the mid-2010s.
According to news website Elite Daily, “Fashion houses like Prada have reimagined the detail on a much larger scale for winter, debuting coats with strips of fringe and intricate beaded designs.”
What was originally seen in old western movies can now be expected to make an appearance on jackets, dresses, and handbags this year.
Jamie Rankin, a senior art education major, shared 70s inspired trends that she noticed.
“I think accessories are another major comeback,” Rankin said. “For example, sunglasses with larger lenses and bright colors. Hats and long necklaces as well. I personally wear some of these things myself.”
As the old saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Graphic by Katelyn Miller
