1970s

1970s men’s fashion was groovy. Men’s fashion changed dramatically with slimmer silhouettes. Men wore slim-fitting pants that ballooned out into bell bottoms. The flare of bell bottoms met trendy platform shoes. Clothes were also tighter thanks to the popularity of polyester and cotton blends. Designers loved textured fabrics too.

Fashions incorporated texture with the use of terry cloth and velour. Disco style was a significant trend in the seventies. Suits also became cool with films like Saturday Night Fever. After all, who could forget John Travolta in his white leisure suit and gold medallion? However, that was not the only favored suit.

Men embraced a sporty vibe with the tracksuit. Casual fashion came into its own with everyday essentials such as t-shirts, sweaters, jeans, and sneakers.

Adventurous styles of 1970’s men’s fashion earned the decade the Peacock Revolution. Trendy men or dandies, dudes, and peacocks made a case for bold style.

Satin shirts arrived in the early seventies: the trendy must-have joined turtlenecks, winkle-picker boots with Cuban heels, and ethnic-inspired tunics.

Men’s shoes for the seventies included flip-flops, cowboy boots, platforms, and oxfords. Glam rock also caught on for a segment of the youth. Men embraced androgynous styles. Staples ranged from embroidered western shirts and velvet jackets to frilly shirts and silk scarves. Performers such as David Bowie and Alvin Stardust helped popularize the aesthetic.

1970s men’s fashion also saw youth show their nostalgia for previous decades. Young men rebelled against psychedelic style by embracing the mod aesthetic of the 1960s. Meanwhile, the teddy boy subculture thrived in the UK. Teddy boys wore creepers, bolo ties, drainpipe trousers, and drape jackets.

Punk music also influenced style, with designers like Vivienne Westwood defining a look. Along with her partner Malcolm McLaren, Westwood founded a stall called Let It Rock. Later called SEX, the store sold ripped clothes, tight leather pants, kilts, turtlenecks, and leather biker jackets. Spikes, studs, paint, and chains often embellished the jackets.

Men’s suits slimmed down even more by the decade’s end, and pants reverted to straight fits. As flared silhouettes fell out of trend, straight-leg jeans became popular. Now men wore sportswear that included sweatshirts, collared shirts, sweaters, and t-shirts. Low-top sneakers came into style as well.