1970s men’s fashion remains a constant, with its influence found in contemporary fashion, from luxury brands such as Valentino to more affordable stores like Zara. Stylish jackets featuring wide lapels and flared pants channel men’s 70s outfits, proving this fashion decade can’t be tamed regarding its individuality and character.
The 1970s, celebrated for its audacious fashion landscape and style icons like Freddie Mercury from the rock band Queen, carried forward the bold stylistic ethos of the late 1960s. A significant fashion trend of this era was an adventurous play with form and shape.
1970s Men’s Fashion
Special attention was paid to the cut in 1970s menswear. The unique silhouette could be seen in a range of styles, from jackets to pants to shirts, as men sought to achieve a dashing and dramatic look.
Bell bottoms, silk shirts, velvet pants, and double-breasted coats were popular clothing choices, along with bold prints and bright colors.
Accessories also played a crucial role. Clunky platform shoes with thick soles were all the rage, as were brightly colored scarves and fedoras. Many also experimented with facial hair and long sideburns, creating a stylish and dramatic look.
Whether you’re searching for 70s outfits for men, looking to channel the trend in your wardrobe, or want a blast from the past, there are plenty of ways to tap into this iconic era and make a bold statement:
Fashion Colors
So, what colors were popular during the 1970s? While the decade was known for its vibrant and sometimes wild color choices, it’s important to note that there was a specific color palette.
Shades of brown, beige, black, white, and grey were popular choices. Neutral colors were widely used in male attire, with fabrics such as corduroy, knitwear, and silk shirts, while colorful pieces, especially plaid prints, were also popular.
Men’s Wide Lapels Were En Vogue
There is no better way to define the 1970s than with wide lapels in menswear—a defining trend of that decade. Whether you were sporting a blazer, three-piece suit, or tuxedo jacket, the seventies were all about wide lapels.
While these garments may seem odd by today’s standards, it’s important to remember that menswear, at the time, focused on bold, unconventional choices.
The Chic Turtleneck or Roll Necks
In the 70s, nothing spoke sophistication louder than a turtleneck. Turtleneck sweaters were a go-to choice during this era. They provided warmth and elegance.
Whether sporting a classic black turtleneck or something more colorful like red or teal, a turtleneck is a surefire way to pay a nod to the seventies and look sharp. After all, men confidently rocked their turtleneck outfits with everything from jeans to slacks.
Vintage Disco Moment
From the lively dance floors to the trendy bars, guys embraced disco fashion fervently. The disco aesthetic is best known for its tight fits in bright colors, bold prints, sequins, and sparkles, contributing to a strong sense of personal style.
Some popular 70s disco clothes included polyester bell bottoms, vests, silky shirts with oversized collars and sleeves, and fringed accessories. A typical men’s disco outfit was frequently accessorized with large glasses, leather belts, fedoras or boaters, and watch fobs, perfectly capturing the era’s flashy, statement-driven vibe.
The 70s era also saw an increase in guys wearing platform shoes, either to dance the night away on the dance floor or to look cool and trendy. Platform shoes were often brightly colored and covered with metallic accents or sequins.
Men’s Corduroy Craze
Corduroy was a fashion staple in the 1970s. Its soft, plush feel made it popular for formal wear and casual styles. Corduroy pants, in particular, were a go-to item, often paired with jackets and vests crafted from the same fabric in various colors and patterns.
Popular corduroy hues included earthy tones like brown, green, blue, and grey, making the fabric versatile in 70s wardrobes.
The Luxury of a Silk Shirt
During the 1970s, many donned silk shirts for a fashion statement. This luxurious fabric gave shirting a more refined and polished look, perfect for formal occasions. Button-down shirts were trendy, although some silk shirts also featured open collars.
Guys wore silk shirts with everything from tailored pants to casual jeans. If you want to channel this look today, you can reinterpret it with a satin shirt or Tom Ford silk pants.
Denim in the 70s
In the 1970s, denim was a declaration of independence from the confines of traditional style. The denim jacket and bell-bottom jeans became synonymous with counterculture movements adopted by rock stars, activists, and those who pushed against conformity.
The denim jacket, often faded and adorned with patches or embroidery, symbolized rebellion. At the same time, bell-bottom jeans with their dramatic flare offered a sartorial break from the straight-legged norms of previous decades.
Musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison helped cement denim as a staple of 70s style, pairing their jackets with everything from silk scarves to flamboyant shirts. Bell-bottom jeans, meanwhile, became a statement piece, worn with everything from platform shoes to flowing tunics, embracing the decade’s love for exaggerated proportions.
The Hippie Look
The hippie aesthetic surged in popularity during the 1970s, embodying a carefree, anti-establishment spirit. Elements such as loose-fitting shirts, bell-bottom jeans, signature long hair, and beards were especially popular, defining the era’s laid-back sense of style.
Rooted in counterculture movements, the aesthetic rejected conventional fashion norms, favoring unstructured clothing that symbolized freedom and individuality.
Hippie ensembles often featured earthy tones, vibrant tie-dye prints, and floral patterns, with accessories like platform shoes, headbands, and beaded jewelry adding to the eclectic mix. This hippie style reflected a deeper connection to nature and non-conformity, cementing its place in 70s fashion history.
Patterned Knitwear for Every Occasion
Men loved knitwear with patterns. Whether stripes, argyle, geometric prints, or floral designs, men’s knitwear had a ton of personality during this era. Many pieces were made from wool or cotton, which allowed for a soft and breathable fit.
Seventies Men’s Suits
What man’s wardrobe would be complete without a suit? The man’s suit was a 70s staple and featured notable updates from the previous decade.
The 70s suit jacket was often slightly shorter than usual, while the waist included more defined shaping to give a sleek silhouette. Men wore suits with dress shirts, ties, and other accessories for an ultra-dapper look.
Muscle Culture
The 1970s saw the proliferation of subcultures, partly due to the rise of muscle culture. Also known as “the muscle cult,” this trend was founded on physical fitness, bodybuilding, and muscular development. This movement continues to influence current trends from an aesthetic perspective.
Men in this subculture strove to construct strong and toned physiques, generally through weightlifting or bodybuilding. This act reflected manliness, strength, and power.
To flaunt the fruits of their labor, men often donned tight t-shirts; this trend continued into the disco era when showcasing chiseled bodies by dancing with tightly fitted attire became popular.
The Touch of Velvet
Velvet was the epitome of menswear, and for a good reason. Its soft touch and rich, textured look made it so desirable. Whether it was a velvet jacket, pants, or shirt, these pieces were sure to turn heads with their dramatic texture and rich color.
Deep purple, royal blue, emerald green, and burgundy were popular colors for velvet sports coats. Velvet is still a popular fabric today, so look for this opulent material the next time you’re shopping for a new outfit.
Glam Rock Style Clothes
Right: Embracing his Ziggy Stardust era, David Bowie performs at Newcastle in a jumpsuit designed by Freddie Burretti in 1972. Photo: Rik Walton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1970s was a time of bold choices, and men were no exception. During this era, the glam rock aesthetic emerged as a popular trend among men who embraced their inner rock stars with tight-fitting clothes in vibrant colors.
Glam rockers wore form-fitting pieces such as leather pants, metallic jumpsuits, and sequined shirts designed to show off their body shape while making a statement. Accessories like chunky platform shoes and long scarves completed the look for many glamorous gentlemen of the 70s.
Wide-leg Trousers
Wide-leg trousers were a staple of the scene, often remembered with fondness and admiration. These garments were popular for formal and casual wear, offering a comfortable fit that still looks great today—prevailing amongst 70s outfit ideas.
Men wore their favorite wide-leg trousers with everything from a button-down shirt and blazer to a basic T-shirt. From loose-fit chinos to flare jeans, this staple is making its return in today’s landscape.
But What About Flared Pants?
John Travolta’s iconic clothes in Saturday Night Fever made him an unforgettable fashion icon, especially his white trousers. But what sets flared pants apart from wide-leg trousers?
While flared pants typically have a slim fit through the thigh and flair out the knee, wide-leg trousers are wider. Both types offer the 70s take on modern menswear while providing comfort and ease of movement.
’70s Punk Style Outfits
Since the mid-1970s, punk has been an emblem of rebellion against mainstream culture, and bands like the Sex Pistols became the forefront of this rebellion. These pioneers of punk music embraced an aesthetic that broke from tradition, with their skinny denim jeans becoming a signature element of a burgeoning fashion movement.
Men’s fashions included a diverse mixture of DIY clothing, such as leather jackets, distressed jeans, band tees decorated with spikes, studs, safety pins, and skinny denim jeans. The style was a form of rebellion, a sharp contrast to the flared trousers and loud prints that had dominated earlier in the decade.
It was marked by edgy hairstyles like mohawks and makeup looks for both men and women that portrayed a sense of disillusionment for those who felt ostracized from society at large. Paired with leather jackets, ripped shirts, and an attitude of defiance, these jeans were uniform for those who felt marginalized or misunderstood.
Renowned icons of the punk scene include Johnny Rotten, lead vocalist for the Sex Pistols; Sid Vicious, bassist for the Sex Pistols; Joe Strummer, frontman and rhythm guitarist from The Clash; and Iggy Pop, singer-songwriter with The Stooges.
1970s Leather Jackets for Men
Leather jackets were a popular outerwear choice for men. These timeless pieces provided an edgy, sophisticated look that was perfect for any occasion. Trendy options for this era ranged from typical tan leather jackets to others in bold colors, such as red or yellow, with exaggerated collars and lapels.
Some leather jackets had wide cuffs and waistbands, while others had buckles or zippers down the front. Men could also choose from various lengths to suit their preferences—from cropped versions to full-length coats.
Athletic Wear Meets Everyday Style in the 70s
In the 1970s, athletic wear began blurring the lines between sports and everyday wear as men embraced a more relaxed and versatile approach to fashion. Polyester leisure suits became the go-to for everyday attire, combining comfort with style.
These suits often featured zip-up jackets and elastic-waist pants, offering a laid-back alternative to traditional tailoring while still maintaining a polished look.
Bold patterns, such as geometric designs and vibrant stripes, were a hallmark of 70s athletic wear, injecting a sense of flair into even the most casual outfits. This era saw athletic-inspired clothing evolve into more than just gym wear as men began incorporating track jackets, sneakers, and sporty tops into their everyday attire.
’70s Men’s Accessories
Men had plenty of accessory options. The decade was all about accessorizing, from popular styles like braided belts and aviator sunglasses to silk scarves and fedora hats. Retro shades, patterned neckties, and cufflinks were popular accessories then.
Men’s ’70s Shoes
What shoes were fashionable for men during the seventies? Popular men’s shoes included loafers, moccasins, platform shoes, work boots, and sneakers. With so many different looks, it was easy for men to find shoes that suited their signature style.
Don’t Forget the Suede Jacket
The suede jacket reigned supreme. Men everywhere were head over heels for this fantastic outerwear option. Whether it was a blazer, fringe jacket, or bomber, men knew that it was the perfect way to keep warm and look stylish simultaneously.
Overall, What Did Men Wear in the 70s?
Menswear in the 1970s was bold and unashamedly audacious. From leather jackets and silk shirts to bell-bottom pants or wide-leg pants, there has never been a more daring or admirable era in fashion history.
Not only were loud colors and eye-catching prints celebrated, but rich textures like velvet, corduroy, and satin were embraced. Menswear during this decade also included turtleneck sweaters, oversized collars or lapels, high-waisted pants, leisure suits, and platform shoes.
Overall, men confidently embraced their individuality, making it a famous era for fashionable gentlemen everywhere.
As the 1980s arrived, men’s fashion transitioned away from the flamboyant 70s styles, leaning towards a more subdued, conservative look. However, the spirit of individuality and self-expression remained, evolving in different ways.
