The 1970s didn’t do “one look” and that’s exactly why we adore it. One minute you’re floating around in a bohemian maxi with sun kissed hair, the next you’re stepping into Studio 54 in liquid satin and a confident grin. And then suddenly, punk arrives and rips up the rule book, again.
Women’s fashion in the 1970s reflected real life shifts, changing work lives, nightlife, feminism, music scenes and a desire to dress for yourself. The silhouettes were freer, the attitude bolder, and the icons behind it all left fingerprints we still see on runways and high streets today.
Halston
Halston is a name that practically shines when you talk about 1970s American glamour. His designers were sleek, sensual and remarkably simple. They were the kind of clothes that didn’t shout, it still turned every head in the room. Ultrasuede shirtdresses, bias cut gowns and fluid separates were all built around movement and calm confidence.
A huge part of his legend is how he perfectly understood the assignment. The decade wanted ease, modernity and luxury that felt grown up and understated. Halston gave women clothing that looked elegant at midnight and still felt comfortable at 2am.
And then there’s the cultural halo around him. Studio 54, celebrity muses, glossy nightlife and polished minimalism that still feels modern today. If you ever slip into a simple, beautifully cut dress and feels instantly powerful, you’re feeling a trace of Halston.
Diane von Fürstenberg
Diane von Fürstenberg gave the 1970s one of its most beloved gifts, the wrap dress. It was flattering, practical, and somehow made getting dressed feel effortless while still looking put together. With soft jersey, a waist tie and a gentle drape, it just worked.
What makes the wrap dress so important is what it represented. The 1970s were full of women reshaping their lives, careers, relationships, independence and DVF’s design became an unofficial uniform for this shift. It wasn’t restrictive or precious, it moved with you and let you take up space.
Diane von Fürstenberg herself became a part of the story, a women building a brand around confidence and self expression. Even now, when wrap dresses cycle back into trend, that carry that same message: you can be comfortable and commanding at the same time.
Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent in the 1970s was all about drama and intelligence. He played with masculine and feminine codes like it was second nature, added tailoring that felt natural and created evening wear that felt rich and romantic without feeling like costume. With his use of velvet, safari jackets, peasant blouses, strong shoulders and a sultry colour palette, he made the decade feel glamorous and slightly dangerous.
His influence sits at the intersection of fashion and culture. He wasn’t just designing clothes, he was shaping a mood, a silhouette and a way of walking into a room. The 1970s were restless, politically charged and creatively wild and Saint Laurent channelled that intensity into wardrobe that felt worldly and self possessed.
And his legacy is lasting. The idea that a women can wear tailoring with sensuality, or wear something folkloric and still look high fashion, that is pure YSL. And that is the kind of style that evolves over time.
Kenzo Takada
Kenzo brought joy to 1970s fashion, and you can feel it in his fabric. His look was colourful, layered, and full of movement, mixing patterns in a way that felt free spirited. It was playful but not childish, having a grown up artistry to it.
Part of what made Kenzo so special was his blending of influences. He helped push fashion into a more global conversation, drawing inspiration across cultures and making it feel fresh on Paris streets. In a decade that loved individuality, his designs felt like a celebration of personal style.
And today, when you see beautifully clashing prints or oversized shapes that still look chic, you’re seeing Kenzo’s spirit. He made dressing feel like an adventure.
Zandra Rhodes
Zandra Rhodes is the designer you think of when you want fashion to feel like art you can wear. Her pieces were bold, floaty, theatrical, and unmistakably hers. The prints were vivid, the shapes were dramatic and there was a wonderful sense of fantasy running through everything.
In the late 1970s, as punk energy crackled through London, Rhodes didn’t copy it, she interpreted it. She took the mood of rebellion and filtered it through her own romantic, creative lens, bringing a little sharpness into her dreamy world. That tension is what made her so exciting.
Honestly, she’s a reminder that “feminine” doesn’t have to feel safe. You can be frilly and fearless. You can be glamorous and subversive. Zandra did it all, with a paintbrush in one hand and a chiffon sleeve floating behind her.
Vivienne Westwood
Vivienne Westwood helped turn fashion into a loud, unapologetic statement in the 1970s. She didn’t follow trends but challenged and mocked them before building them into something new and thrilling. Punk wasn’t simply a look, it was a cultural refusal and Westwood’s designs gave it an aesthetic.
What’s fascinating is how much intelligence there is beneath the chaos. Westwood understood history, tailoring and symbolism and she used those tools to create clothing that felt rebellious but sophisticated. The ripped shirts and slogans weren’t random, they were a deliberate, wearable protest.
And that’s why she still matters. Even if you never wear tartan or safety pins, the idea that you can dress with intent to say something, that is Westwood’s gift. She makes style feel like power.
Bianca Jagger
Bianca Jagger is the kind of icon who makes elegance feel daring. She was glamorous, but never predictable. Her style was sharp, sculptural, often minimalist, and she wore tailoring with the kind of confidence that made it feel scandalously chic.
Part of Bianca’s magic was the way she embodied the decade’s contradictions. She could be refined and wild, polished and rebellious all in one night. The 1970s loved personalities, and she didn’t just have a presence, she had mythology.
If you want to channel her today, it’s all about clean lines and bold energy. A white suit, a sleek dress, a dramatic neckline and confidence are all you need. Bianca didn’t dress to blend in, she dressed to arrive.
Cher (and Bob Mackie)
Cher in the 1970s wasn’t just fashionable, she was fashion. Her stage looks were outrageous in the most fabulous way, all sparkle, skin and feathers. With designer Bob Mackie, she created a visual language that was our fantasy.
What made their partnership so powerful is how it played with performance and identity. The “naked illusion” gowns, dramatic headpieces and shimmering jumpsuits weren’t about being subtle. It was about being seen, being unforgettable and taking up space.
The influence is seen everywhere today. Red carpet dressing, stage costumes, celebrity fashion, so much of it traces back to Cher and Mackie. They made glamour bigger, braver, and way more fun.
Farah Fawcett
Farah Fawcett gave the 1970s a fresh, sporty kind of beauty that was approachable and sun-kissed. She made casual looks icons, whether she was wearing a simple tee or a sleek swimsuits, she gave a relaxed All American vibe that was perfect for the era’s lifestyle shift.
Of course her hair was a phenomenon. Her feathered, face framing blowout became a decade defining look, and it wasn’t just about the hairstyle – it was also about the attitude. It was effortless, bouncy and confident, like you’d just stepped out into warm sunshine.
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry brought a sharp, downtown cool to the late 1970s that was like a breath of smoke filled air after the disco glitter. She mixed punk edge with pop polish, and made both of these looks wearable for the masses. With her platinum hair, graphic eyeliners and a slightly detached stare, she was instantly iconic.
Her style had a sort of thrift shop intelligence to it. She didn’t need to look perfect to look chic and made imperfect look intentional. That’s what makes her such a trendsetter – the sense that you can create your style from attitude and choices – not trying to please everyone.
The 1970s gave us a wardrobe full of contrasts – bohemian softness, disco glam, tailored confidence and punk rebellion. The common thread is this – the decade made fashion more personal and allowed people to channel their mood and communicate their message to the masses.
Do you have a favourite 1970s style icon or look? Tell me in the comments, I’m all ears.
Until next time, stay delightful darling!