1970s - The Divas

As travelling abroad became more commercial and affordable in the ‘50s and ‘60s (Ron271, 2009), it meant that by the ‘70s people were more educated about the cultures and products from a vast range of countries, so cultural clothing came in to fashion. Kaftans, an Arabic style of robes were incredibly popular especially for the anti-Vietnam war hippies. Yves St Laurent made these loose fitting kaftans and Nehru jackets a mainstream style.

Yves St Laurent in a Kaftan

Nehru jackets

This travelling meant and new-found knowledge of other cultures led the ‘70s into ethnic fashion. Hand-made looking styles were in, from Spanish crochet shawls to Greek Macramé bikinis and bags to the traditional gypsy style cheesecloth tops with puffed sleeves and bell-shaped waist.

This disco fashion brought on the like of the bell-bottom or flared trousers for both men and women, made even more popular by the television show ‘Charlie’s Angels’. Platform shoes were all the range for both genders as well, but mainly for women. The sole could be as high as 4 inches, although 1 or 2 was the standard. Even so, a lot of accidents occurred due to these shoes. It was the first time dress codes were officially brought into clubs due to the huge difference between night and day wear, so it was important to get the dress code spot on to get in. John Travolta helped to make the body-clinging Lycra suites fashionable for night clubs and discos. 

Charlie's Angels in bell-bottom trousers and loosely permed hair

John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever in the classic disco look

References

Ron971. (2009) When did air travel really start to become big/popular? [online] Yahoo! Inc. Available from: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090624100427AAVHeK5 [13/04/2012]

Bibliography

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Idol Forums. (2011) Siobhan's Glass Blowers' Thread, relax by the furnace and have a bon-bon! PG-13 [online] Idol Forums: Available from: http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=642897&st=11680 [04/05/2012]

Maanen, J. (2011) Pierre Thoretton's Yves Saint Laurent doc L'amour Fou opens: Why, Yves -- you dog! [online] Los Angeles: Blogspot. Available from: http://trustmovies.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/pierre-thorettons-yves-saint-laurent.html [04/05/2012]

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Rock Street Vintage. (2012) 70s BOHEMIAN dress - sheer angel wing babydoll top & matching full gypsy skirt S/M small / medium [online] Etsy. Available from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91853487/70s-bohemian-dress-sheer-angel-wing [04/05/2012] 

VivaVera. (2012) Vintage Needlework Booklet 1970 Crochet Bikini Tote Cloche Vest [online] Etsy. Available from: http://www.etsy.com/listing/85888565/vintage-needlework-booklet-1970-crochet [04/05/2012]