The 1970s was a time of immense style and fashion, and not just for women either. The era was greatly defined by the free love and long hair movement of the 1960s, in which many young people began rebelling against cultural and societal norms in favour of a much more laid-back style and way of life.
The 70s ushered in a new era, spearheaded by celebrities like Cher and David Bowie, and there were new beauty products and new hairstyles coming out every day.
Modern style and beauty have taken a lot of influence from the 70s period, and the famous era has often been touted as fashion's greatest time.
While the influence of the 70s is unmistakable, there are also a lot of valuable things people today can take from the era. Here are ten things that everyone can learn from the magnificent era of the 1970s.
Vibrant Blue Eyeshadow Is a Winner
Definitely, one of the more iconic and vibrant trends of the 70s, pastel-blue eyeshadow is slowly but surely making its way back into mainstream society.
One thing to learn from this once-hot trend is to embrace bold, bright pigments for an extravagantly cool look. If this seems like a lot for you right now, why not try it out at the next festival you go to?
Bottom Eyelashes Are Important
A very important lesson! The top eyelashes get all the attention these days. Keep in mind the glamorous looks of the 70s and give your bottom lashes the respect and attention they deserve.
Deep Fruit Colours & Gloss All the Time
Plums, cranberry, and mulberry hues with a high-gloss finish were super popular in the 70s and were usually worn all year round.
Take the tip and try it for yourself!
The Mullet Can Work
Contrary to what many have thought and believed over the years about the mullet hairstyle, the 1970s showed that this popular ‘do could actually look really cool and stylish. It's been one of the most controversial hairstyles over the decades, with many still discarding it as awful.
However, mainstream figures like David Bowie and Paul McCartney proved the haters wrong with their stylish renditions of the infamous look back in the 70s.
The style has been making a steady comeback for a long time, starting in countries like Australia and New Zealand, and slowly making its way into the west.
Muttonchops Will Never Look Good
Unfortunately, through their popularisation in the 70s, the world has come to (painfully) learn that the muttonchop sideburn just doesn't look good. Ever. Everyone would do well to take heed of this very important lesson from the disco era.
Rules Are Made to Be Broken
If the 1970s showed the world anything, it was that any supposed rules that exist within the beauty and fashion worlds were only there to be completely disregarded and rebelled against. The free-love movement of the 60s seemed to have inspired a mass migration towards self-expression and free fashion in the 70s, basically rendering any cultural or societal standards of the day null and void.
Men and women alike dressed in whatever they wanted when they wanted.
It was the era of self-expression. Today, many are still following that sentiment and continue to break barriers and cross the beautiful border for the sake of self-expression.
Using Fur for Clothes is Bad Practice
A particularly black mark on the image of the 1970s elite, many aristocrats and high-society types would often sport a genuine fur coat made from a real animal.
Looking back today, this trend seems ludicrous. It’s helpful to heed the lesson taught by this era when looking for clothes that are made in good conscience and not supporting or producing any such products that may not be ethically sound.
Punks & Outcasts Are Actually Cool
The rise of punk and mod culture in Britain during the 70s can be seen as a sort of outcast revolt in that many of the pioneers of this movement were not influential or stylish by the popular society’s measures. In fact, they were most probably more rejects of society. This all changed when the crazy big hair and all-black outfits started to take over.
The outcasts finally had a voice, and bands like the Sex Pistols were their spokespeople.
Today, it can be encouraging to look at a culture like the punk culture and know that no matter where you find yourself on the societal ladder, there's always room for authentic style and identity to make yourself known among the masses.
Anything Doesn’t Always Go
The 60s and 70s were famous for people wearing whatever they wanted. While this was great and produced a slew of incredible looks and styles, it also birthed some of the worst looks in the history of humankind.
It's vital to not over-glamourize the era and remember that it also had its flaws. Flaws that you would do well not to repeat.
Ladies, Feathered Layers Give Volume!
Big hair, don’t care. It’s something to take from the 1970s and run with. Use hairspray, waxes, and creams to get your style feathered and voluminous.
Conclusion
These are crucial points to note when wondering what elements of the 70s you should resurrect. So, do so wisely and with much research!
