I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with the 70’s. Led Zeppelin, flared jeans, platform shoes – as a matter of fact I am a) listening to Led Zeppelin and b) wearing both flared jeans and ridiculously (ie: dangerously) high platform boots as I write this piece, and it doesn’t seem that I’m the only one who’s smitten. American designers including Marc Jacobs and Tory Burch expressed their love for the decade in recent Fall 2011 runway shows and as an avid 70’s enthusiast I couldn’t be more excited.
The most obvious advantage of making your own garments is that you can create pieces which fit you perfectly, however an added bonus is that when you see something on the runways or in a magazine you don’t have to wait months for it to end up in store, you can make it now! See some of my favorite 70’s influenced runway trends from the recent NYFW shows and BurdaStyle patterns perfect for getting the look so you can rock the trend before everyone else.
Although the 70’s influence started trickling in on the Spring 2011 runways, it had more of a decadent disco feel that the looks for Fall. Lush velvet suits, calf-length dresses and skirts, tie-neck blouses – this time designers were digging around Anita Pallenberg’s closet, not the dance floor at Studio 54. Check out runway looks from Tory Burch, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs and Chris Benz for inspiration and some of our great new (and archive) patterns that will help you get the look now!
Tory Burch
Chris Benz
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Tommy Hilfiger
Make the Look – Those 70’s Essentials
Get the Patterns:
The Blouse – Tie Front Blouse, Wrap Blouse
The Skirts – Pencil Skirt, A-Line Skirt
The Pants – High Waist Trouser, Wide Leg Trouser
The Dress – Long Sleeve Dress, Kimono Dress
The Cape – Lindsey Cape
Additional patterns not pictured: burda style magazine Cape, Cropped Velvet Jacket, Lambskin Vest, Jumpsuit.
Top it Off With…
From left: hat and shoes from ASOS, belt from J. Crew, sunglasses from House of Harlow, scarf from Diane Von Furstenberg, bag from Mulberry, sandals from Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Does the classic 70’s aesthetic speak to you? What decade would you like to see revived on the runway?
Oct 7, 2011, 01.55 AMby notdeadredhead
Early 1900s minus the functional corset… I’d be all over everything else, but it would have to be a short trend, as I know I’d get tired of taking an hour to dress every morning. That, and their old fashioned swim suits just look like way too much fun to make!
Oct 4, 2011, 09.48 PMby olg
thanks for the beautiful post, cannot wait to sew one of these – I especially like the new way you presented the catwalk photos
Feb 24, 2011, 03.42 AMby noknee
I have been seeing a seventy revival for the last three years. It’s the hipsters decade of choice.
Feb 23, 2011, 09.37 PMby sandrasews
This post is just amazing! I love the colours, the looks and best of all, I have all the patterns! So inspiring, these inspiration catwalk posts are fantastic.
Feb 23, 2011, 02.05 AMby piecesofanarnia
The whole idea is to keep is fresh and chic, so that’s what I’ll be aiming for in Fall/Winter 2011!
Feb 22, 2011, 10.49 PMby mrsjwr
can you say HIDEOUS!
Feb 22, 2011, 07.03 AMby momsgotanewhobby
Oh no…platform shoes, wide legs or bell-bottoms, heinous gaudy prints and plaids? Those ridiculous sunglasses that cover your face, why start the trend again? Didn’t we just finish seeing people in movies and music go through a 70’s period? Everything old is new again and again and again. I was born in 68 and went through the seventies at the mercy of a Mom and older sister who totally embraced the fashions-other than the gauzy cotton dresses and peasant styles I personally say never again.
Feb 22, 2011, 06.51 AMby dj1
loving this decade.. Already made some 70’s inspired pants in khaki color.:)
Feb 22, 2011, 01.01 AMby tudorrose69
The 70’s still speak to me, because I can remember wearing hip-huggers that were low on the hip with long-dragging legs! Worked at a clothing store (Carson’s) in the junior (teenage) dept., and was allowed to choose clothes from 3 depts. and dress the manequins, make displays, etc. That was so much fun, and my selections always sold out. What I notice missing here is the classic “Safari” jacket/pants combo that was also popular in that era. We also sold lots of boho late-hippie era gauze tops with embroidery, also Levi’s country look denim shirts, as well as more lady-like attire (polka-dot pant suits). Fun decade to reminisce and re-do, but I think the 60’s is fun as well, mini-skirts, Victorian influences, etc. Fashion is fun at heart, so go create and enjoy!
Feb 21, 2011, 03.12 PMby popbabe7
I usually tend to shun the 70s style, but some of the catwalk photos in this article are very inspiring, so I’ll definitely give it a try!
Feb 20, 2011, 07.42 PMby delsol
Awesome! It is a habit of mine to listen to Led Zep while sewing… [:
1 Reply
Feb 22, 2011, 10.29 PMby rebeccapeebles
I like that! I’m putting on physical graffiti right now!
Feb 20, 2011, 06.34 PMby fashionfreek
I love those pants. I better dig mine out. ;-)
Feb 19, 2011, 07.36 PMby chadrific
so so sooooo excited to get my designs out for this summer!! And can’t wait to make stuff for myself too….I’m going to be platforming and bell bottoming all over the place…as well as short shorting and a-line mini skirting
….it’s like the 70s were made for girls under 5’5 haha
3 Replies
Feb 20, 2011, 12.37 PMby Natalia *
really?! I think the 70s look was made for really tall girls. Those bell-bottom pants make my legs look like stumps. I like the look, but couldn’t pull it off myself.
Feb 21, 2011, 04.14 PMby mitmit
I think the 70’es look can be worn by both petite girls and us tall ones. I’m 5’9,75 and loving platforms, bell bottom-pants and the rest just as much as you ;-)
Feb 23, 2011, 05.35 AMby chadrific
oh yeah definitely! you gotta get the proportions right but i really love the long lean lines the pants give
and you go girl <3 I just love how lean it makes everyone look!!!
Feb 19, 2011, 11.15 AMby Xenia phillip
i would like them to revive the 50’s and 80’s
Feb 18, 2011, 05.06 PMby jenyjenny
OOOOH, very exciting! Lush colors and textures, floppy hats, fedoras, interesting! I want to bookmark this post.
Feb 18, 2011, 05.04 PMby Sabrina Wharton-Brown
I like the Chris Benz Dress. But if this is the seventies, what happened to the denim a-line skirt? If you watch Fawlty Towers, Polly the waitress has some lovely ’70s clothes. : )
Feb 18, 2011, 04.08 PMby ladyshape
This is a nice change from all of the 1950’s inspired stuff that has been around for ages now. Grown up glamour. I can only handle so many polka dots.
Feb 18, 2011, 02.58 PMby hillary9
Ok, so now I feel compelled to buy ALL these patterns. So much for my “pattern diet” lol
1 Reply
Feb 18, 2011, 03.39 PMby alisondahl
Feb 18, 2011, 12.52 PMby milr26
I love the ’70’s look and am so happy to see it come back, especially if it means we are finally rid of that horrendous ’80’s influence!
1 Reply
Feb 22, 2011, 10.28 PMby rebeccapeebles
I 2nd that!
Feb 18, 2011, 12.28 PMby urbandon
Marc Jacobs nails it- again! Although the bag selection is off the mark.
1 Reply
Oct 7, 2011, 01.52 AMby notdeadredhead
Agreed! I’m glad to see that caught somebody’s eyes other than my own. I’ve never seen anybody accessorizing with a tree limb, myself, but who knows! X^D Lovely clothes, though!