Crack open the history books and you’ll find that the 1970s was a decade of cultural revolution. From fashion and art to politics and music, the ’70s was an era of extreme transformation and progress, and along with it, a slew of trends that have since become iconic. Here’s what people on an online forum think are 12 of those ’70s staples.
1. Disco Music
The emergence of disco music defined the 1970s. The upbeat songs provided the perfect soundtrack for dancing in clubs with bright lights and disco balls. The film Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta started the disco craze. It also solidified The Bee Gees as one of the most iconic musical groups ever. Other examples of disco music include “Dancing Queen” by ABBA, “Brick House” by The Commodores, “YMCA” by The Village People, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire.
2. Bell-Bottoms
The oversized, bell-shaped silhouette at the bottom of pants and jeans characterizes Bell-bottoms. They date back to the early 19th century when some sailors wore this style of trousers, but thanks to The Sonny and Cher Show, they reached mainstream popularity in the ’60s and especially the ’70s. The philosophy of many was “The wider, the better!” Some featured embroidery making a distinct fashion statement. Today these exaggerated pants are not very prominent, but more subtle boot-cut silhouettes are still worn.
3. The Brady Bunch
In the 1970s, everyone loved The Brady Bunch and wanted a family like the Bradys. Although the show is considered a traditional, wholesome family sitcom, it was also regarded as revolutionary to see a blended family on television at the time. The Brady Bunch ran for five seasons from 1969 to 1974. It was known for its humorous conflicts and situations resolved by the episode’s end, usually with a lesson learned. The fashion, the guest stars, and the music (performed by the cast) were all so fun and definitively ’70s in feel. Their vacation episodes to the Grand Canyon and Hawaii became the blueprint for every subsequent sitcom.
4. Banana Seat Bicycles
If you were a kid in the 1970s, chances are you had a bicycle with a banana seat or desperately wanted one. These seats get their name from their long and skinny shape, which is much different than other bikes. These bikes also usually featured handheld bars that came up higher and were called monkey handlebars. Those lucky enough to have one considered these bicycles more comfortable than typical bikes and cherished every ride on them.
5. Floral Patterns
Florals have always been popular in anything from fashion to home décor. But the florals from the 1970s were trendy and decidedly different from the patterns that came before and after. The florals were very brightly colored with hues of yellows, pinks, oranges, bright blues, and lime green. These were seen in dresses, blouses, bedspreads, sofas, and wallpaper. Many households were decorated with these patterns. As flashy as they may seem by today’s standards, they were all the rage in the era.
6. Circular Sunglasses
The 1970s saw an increase in people donning circular sunglasses. They were a mainstay for the most free-spirited and creative individuals, mainly “hippies.” John Lennon was the most famous person to sport this particular fashion accessory. They definitely can be classified as groovy.
7. Roller-Skating
PartiesRoller-skating parties in the 1970s were otherwise known as roller discos. As both things rose in popularity, they merged to create one lively pastime enjoyed mainly by the period’s youth. They would wear funky clothes and skate to the upbeat music of the time. Roller discos were so popular their particular aesthetics showed up in advertisements and vinyl covers.
8. Lava Lamps
Lava Lamps were first invented in 1963 by Edward Craven Walker but became particularly trendy in the 1970s. The cone-shaped lamps feature a wax mixture inside a glass container with a clear liquid. The base has an incandescent light bulb that causes changes in the liquid’s surface tension. As a result, you see bits of the wax slowly moving around. Lava Lamps came in various colors and were another thing prominent with hippies. They have a calming, even psychedelic effect, transfixing anyone who looks at the object.
9. Bean Bag Chairs
Bean bag chairs were first designed in the late 1960s and called the “Sacco,” but they became a staple in the ’70s. They consist of a rather large fabric bag filled with polystyrene beans. The fabrics varied but featured the most popular colors of the era. My mother still fondly remembers her yellow bean bag chair from her youth. These chairs are still popular, but I doubt they’ll ever reach the zenith they did in the 70s.
10. Mondrian Style
Piet Mondrian was an abstract artist who became known for his use of geometric shapes in primary colors. His work became an iconic style of the ’70s, seen in the home’s artwork and other décor and architectural elements. It comprises squares and rectangles in exciting patterns, typically red, blue, white, and yellow. The Brady Bunch home featured a Mondrian-style colored glass window, a defining characteristic of the decade.
11. Shag Carpet
Shag carpet is characterized by the long yarn construction, making it visually appealing and soft. The rise of this style of carpeting reflects the tumultuous uncertainty of the era that created a desire for the home to be more comfortable and inviting. Shag carpets were usually in bright colors and earth tones, making living spaces cozy. Was there even a house that didn’t have shag carpet in the ’70s?
12. Tie-Dye
Tie-dye has been around for centuries, but the 1970s is undoubtedly the decade we most associate with the style. Tie-dye is made when dyes are poured in random patterns, and the fabric is then pulled and twisted, creating vibrant and unique designs. Tie-dye is another style with a psychedelic feel that helped make the 1970s such a groovy era.
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