5 Fashion Trends From the 70s That Should Never Come Back

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The 70s: A Time of Bold Choices

a group of young girls walking down a street
Photo by Nationaal Archief

Ah, the 70s—what a decade! Bell-bottoms, disco balls, and a whole lot of questionable fashion choices that really make you scratch your head. While we can appreciate the era’s unique spirit and creativity, some trends should probably stay buried in the past. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look at five 70s fashion trends that, frankly, should never make a comeback.

Platform Shoes: A Tall Tale

First up, let’s talk about those infamous platform shoes. Sure, they added a few inches to your height, but at what cost? Walking in those things felt like balancing on a tightrope. You’d think everyone was training for the fashion Olympics! While they did give off a groovy vibe, the reality was more like a twisted ankle waiting to happen. Plus, who needs a shoe that doubles as a ladder? Let’s keep our feet firmly on the ground, shall we?

Leisure Suits: The Ultimate Faux Pas

Now, let’s not forget about leisure suits. Picture this: a shiny polyester suit in a shade so bright it could practically stop traffic. They were the epitome of “I just rolled out of bed, but I’m still ready for a night out.” Sure, they were comfy, but they also screamed, “I have questionable fashion sense!” Leisure suits have the kind of energy that makes you want to run and hide. Let’s leave them in the past where they belong, along with the unfortunate hairstyles that often accompanied them.

Fringes: More Than Just a Fashion Statement

Fringes were everywhere in the 70s—on jackets, bags, and even shoes. They had a certain wild, carefree vibe that felt rebellious, but let’s be real: they also had a tendency to look like you were auditioning for a role as a backup dancer in a poorly choreographed music video. The constant swaying of those fringes could make anyone dizzy. Plus, good luck keeping them clean! One wrong move, and you’ve got a dust bunny party going on. Let’s keep fringes where they belong—on the fringes of our memories.

The Maxi Dress: A Love-Hate Relationship

The maxi dress was a staple of 70s fashion, and while it’s had its moments of revival, we really need to talk about it. Sure, they can be comfortable and flowy, but let’s face it: they can also make anyone look like they’re auditioning for a role in a historical drama. The risk of tripping over all that fabric is real! Plus, when you’ve got to pee, suddenly that dress feels like a big commitment. There’s something about a maxi dress that says, “I’m one with the earth,” but honestly, I’d rather not be one with the ground. This is one trend we can let go of without looking back.

Crazy Prints: A Visual Overload

And then we have those wild, psychedelic prints. If you thought your grandma’s couch had a lot going on, just wait until you see a 70s outfit. The colors, the patterns—it was like a kaleidoscope exploded! While bold prints can be fun, the 70s took it to a whole new level of chaos. You’d step out of the house thinking you were a fashion icon, only to realize you looked like a walking art project gone wrong. Sometimes less really is more, and we can leave the visual overload back in the disco days.

What Have We Learned?

So, what’s the takeaway from this stroll down 70s fashion memory lane? Some trends are best left in the past. While we can admire the creativity and spirit of the decade, it’s perfectly okay to embrace more modern styles that don’t involve balancing on platforms or wrestling with fringes. Fashion is all about expressing yourself, but let’s do it in a way that doesn’t require a safety net.

Next time you’re tempted to raid your parents’ vintage closet for those old bell-bottoms or that tie-dye shirt, just remember: some trends are better off as memories. After all, we’ve come a long way, and fashion has so much to offer without revisiting the more questionable choices of the past. Here’s to embracing the future—one stylish, comfortable outfit at a time!

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