20-Second Summary
When we talk about the 1970s men’s fashion, it was all about being an experimental, bold, and colorful era that is still unforgettable.
The men’s 70s fashion trend showed their confidence and comfort with the adoption of bright colors, embracing different attire from flared trousers to platform shoes, paisley shirts, and feather hairstyling.
Whether it was disco nights, casual streetwear, or sharp business suits, the 70s outfits for men reflected freedom and individuality.
Today, the same 70s male fashion staples inspire designers and modern wardrobes, proving that retro never goes out of style. And this blog is going to explore the history of 70s male fashion, along with a modern take on the style for Generation Z and Alpha.
History of 1970s Men’s Fashion: Transition from 1960s Men’s Fashion
The 1970s men’s fashion emerged out of the conservative and structured fashion of the 1960s. Breaking the conservative perspective on the 60s attire for men, the fashion adoption became flamboyant and expressive in the 1970s, making it a defining moment of men’s fashion history.
- While the 60s emphasized sharp tailoring and slim silhouettes, the 1970s men’s fashion showcased bold patterns, oversized collars, and flared pants.
- Men’s fashion in the 1970s was shaped by music, culture, and politics. The disco icons like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, and the rock legends, such as Mick Jagger’s flamboyant stage outfits, inspired the youth outfits, whereas the hippie culture, inspired by Jimi Hendrix’s paisley prints and earthy tones, also set its mark with the use of natural, colorful fabrics, long hair, and a relaxed sense of styling.
- Male 70s attire often featured earthy tones, suede jackets, and denim, while partygoers embraced metallic shirts, platform shoes, and wide-lapel suits.
- The transition from the 60s men’s fashion to 70s fashion for men came up with a variety of looks ranging from business dressing, to streetwear looks, and party glam.
- Unlike the minimalism of the 60s, men’s fashion in the 1970s celebrated excess and individuality, setting the stage for the iconic 70s wear for guys that continues to inspire today’s designers.
What Men Wore in 1970s: Male 70s Attire
With a little reflection on the history and evolution of the 1970s male fashion, let us now have a look at the key staples they wore during the decade.
We have selected at least five items for each fashion-related category, from outfits to shoes, accessories, and hairstyles.
1970s Men’s Tops & Shirts
Below are the shirts and tops that were worn by men in the 70s.
Paisley Shirts
Emerging in the early 1970s, paisley shirts became an iconic trend of this decade with bright prints influenced by the hippie culture, and these were considered a must-have piece for a 70s guy outfit.
Turtlenecks
Turtlenecks had their fair share from the early 70s to the mid-70s. These were popular in the winter season and were usually layered with blazers, defining a sleek look for men’s fashion in the 1970s.
The Satin Silk Disco Shirts
The shiny fabrics were a thing in the 70s outfits for men. Worn with wide collars in the clubs, these became a defining feature for male 70s attire and party wear looks.
Knit Polo Shirts
Emerged in the late 70s, the knit polo shirts were giving the vibes of a polished yet casual look. Seen as part of the 70s wear for guys, these also helped men’s fashion to transition into the 80s men’s fashion decade.
Graphic T-Shirts
These men’s 70s shirts were usually worn matching the 70s guys’ clothes, like the denim and leather, and were a part of the streetwear fashion influence that emerged in the late 70s.
1970s Men’s Bottoms
The shirts mentioned above were usually paired with the key bottoms given below.
Bell-Bottom Jeans
Emerged in the early 70s, these jeans became the symbol of freedom in the 1970s men’s fashion. These were a great fit for a casual 70s male fashion look.
Corduroy Pants
Gaining popularity from the early 70s to the mid-70s men’s fashion era, the corduroy pants in the earthy tones were a reflection of the hippie culture and a staple for the colder months.
Flared Dress Pants
These became an essential part of the 1970s suit styles by the mid-70s. With their sharp silhouettes, these were a core of the male 70s attire.
High-Waist Trousers
These trousers were flared but slimmer. These were seen as a staple in the late 70s, becoming popular towards the disco peak, and were worn in combination with the men’s 70s shirts.
Straight-Cut Denim
These were a streetwear staple of the 70s guys’ clothes and were usually worn paired with jackets.
1970s Men’s Outerwear
Outerwear is not just a layering option for colder seasons, but also a fashion statement when worn in different seasons to enhance the fashion looks in men. Let’s see the popular outerwear for men from the 1970s.
Denim Jackets
These youthful, iconic pieces became popular in the early 70s and were central to the casual 70s guys’ clothes.
Suede Jackets
These were famous during the early to mid-70s. Their earthy tones were in alignment with the hippie fashion culture influence in men’s fashion in the 1970s.
Safari Jackets
The safari jackets in neutral tones and with a belted waistline reflected the sophistication in the male 70s attire and became very popular in the 70s, not just for men but also for women. This style was popularized by Yves Saint Laurent’s 70s collections.
Blazer with Wide Lapels
Blazers with wide lapels were a quintessential part of 1970s men’s fashion. This outerwear bridged both the casual and the formal look. The exaggerated width of the lapels became a signature style of the era, and is associated with 70s style.
Leather Jackets
Inspired by the rock icons like The Ramones and punk bands of the era, the leather jackets became a rebellious edge and a favorite staple of the 70s male fashion.
1970s Men’s Shoes
When it comes to the 1970s men’s fashion, shoes are the most important thing to complete the whole look for men, aside from the hairstyling that will be discussed later in the blog.
Let us have a look at the iconic shoes that were a part of the 1970s male fashion trend.
Platform Shoes
These defining footwear of the 1970s men’s fashion were usually paired with disco clothes.
- Being an expression of the “Peacock Revolution” and the disco glam looks, the popular styles of these shoes included the classic platform oxfords, loafers, and boots with soles made from wood, cork, or synthetics.
- These were often embellished with sparkling materials, too.
Cowboy Boots
The cowboy boots were worn with 70s wear for guys to embrace the Western style.
- Although the classic Western styles were trending, the decade also explored new materials and colors through experimentation.
Two-Tone Dress Shoes
Originally popular in the 1920s and 30s, men’s fashion was revived by the 1970s fashion enthusiasts.
- These were worn as the fashion-forward statement to the 20s and the 30 men’s fashion decade and were associated with the disco and glam rock looks too by adding bold colors with a platform heel.
- The classic, two-toned dress shoes added flair to 1970s suit outfits.
Sneakers (Adidas, Puma)
Sneakers like Adidas and Pumas in the 1970s were not only practical and youthful but a key staple of streetwear among 70s outfits for men.
Loafers
Loafers became really mainstream in the late 70s male fashion and also transitioned into the 80s
Men’s Accessories from the 1970s Fashion
Accessories were an integral part of 1970s men’s fashion because they not only personalized their style statement, but they also elevated the look by adding intricate details to them.
An accessory can convert any simple look into a sophisticated one, and not just that, they can convert an entire attire into a specific event’s special look.
The key accessories of the 1970s men’s fashion included the following:
Wide Belts
The oversized belts were a key accessory of the 70s guys’ clothes, which were usually an ensemble with the flared trousers and jeans.
Scarves and Neckerchiefs
A popular accessory inspired by the rock and pop idols, Scarves and neckerchiefs added a bohemian touch to men’s fashion in the 1970s.
Aviator Sunglasses
Sunglasses were considered a class back in the fashion years. Made famous by the movies, the Aviator sunglasses were used as an accessory for a defined look in the 1970s fashion guys’ culture.
Gold Chains
A disco look was incomplete without gold chains, a trend embraced by celebrities like Sylvester Stallone in his early career, layered over men’s 70s shirts.
- The gold chains, either classic designs or the 70s special rope gold chains, evolved the men’s fashion from bohemian style to the bold style for the disco settings.
Hats (Fedoras and Caps)
The typical formal hats declined by the 1970s, and they were replaced with more casual hats that made a statement in the 70s men’s fashion accessories.
- The fedora hats with wide brims and different varieties and different colored caps in different materials were worn by men featuring different looks.
- From funk-inspired caps to jazz fedoras, hats added flair to casual ’70s wear for guys.
1970s Men’s Hairstyles
Men’s fashion hairstyles in the 1970s showcased a variety of styles, ranging from the famous short shag to long, layered, and voluminous hair, accompanied by facial hair that included Beards, mustaches, and sideburns of varying lengths.
Shag Cuts
From short to medium length shag, this hairstyle was one of the popular men’s hairstyles in the 70s, in the early 70s, which encompassed layered cutting, giving a casual yet edgy and youthful look.
Long Hair with Side Burns
From the early 70s to mid 70s, the long haircut with the side burns was popularized by the rock icons in the men’s seventies hairstyles. This hairstyle became a cultural identity reflecting black pride.
Afros
Afros were another hairstyle counted as a symbol of black pride, worn by icons like the Jackson 5 and activist Angela Davis, and a reflection of black cultural identity. This was the most iconic hairstyle of the mid-70s.
Feathered Hairstyles
Inspired by the Hollywood actors such as David Cassidy, whose layered look became a trendsetter, the feathered hairstyle was really popular among the 70s male hairstyles. These layers were styled with volume.
Mustaches, Sideburns, and Beards
Mustaches, beards, and sideburns were the grooming staples in 1970 male hairstyles. These were usually paired with both the disco and business attire.
Three Authentic 70s Men’s Fashion Looks
Now that we know all the key elements worn by men in the 1970s, let us have a look at the original business, casual, and party looks of men from the 1970s.
We have recreated these three looks to give you a visual element to see how the 70s men carried each look.
Classic 1970s Business Look
- To accomplish the authentic 1970s formal business look, the 1970s guys’ attire we want to represent includes a wide-lapel suit jacket, flared dress trousers, a paisley or satin mens 70’s shirt, a patterned tie, and loafers.
- These 1970s suits for the formal dress-up had sharp and bold details in their silhouettes and defined the formal male 70s attire.
1970s Casual Streetwear Look
- An everyday 1970s outfit is shown below, comprising a denim jacket, a graphic tee, bell-bottom jeans, cowboy boots, or sneakers.
- This look captures a relaxed vibe of 70s wear for guys and 70s guys’ clothes in youth culture.
1970s Men’s Fashion Party Look
As mentioned already in men’s 70s shirts, the shiny shirts were a key staple for any party or disco look.
- A classic party or disco look immortalized by John Travolta’s white suit in Saturday Night Fever could be described by the Shiny satin disco shirt, high-waist flared pants, platform shoes, gold chains, and aviator sunglasses.
- This was the ultimate nightlife fashion statement of the 1970s men’s fashion. This look was not just flashy and vibrant, but still is unforgettable, and Generation Z and Alpha love revisiting it in their 70s-themed parties.
Modern-70s Mix Men’s Fashion Looks
As much as the original 70s guys’ looks have inspired you, you will be happier to have a look at the vintage modern and 70s mix men’s fashion looks curated by Trendy Fashion Guide.
We have created 2 looks for each category of the party, casual, and business looks.
If you try any of these looks, we would love to get a picture from you!
Modern Disco Vibes: 1970s Party Outfit with Smartwatch & Tech Accessories
The first party look gives a sleek, modern edge to this 1970s men’s fashion look for a party.
- The 70s items that will be included in this include the Satin disco shirt, high-waist flared pants, and platform shoes.
- The modern tech accessories include a smart watch, a slim laptop, and a sling bag, along with a styled, faded haircut.
Paisley Revival: 70s Male Fashion Party Look with Modern Smart Glasses
For the second party look, the blend of the 70s male fashion has been styled with high-tech modern accessories.
- The 70s elements include the Paisley print mens 70s shirt, bell-bottom trousers, and a gold chain.
- The modern accessories include the Wireless earbuds, smart glasses, and minimalist sneakers.
Street Style Remix: 70s Guy Outfit Meets Smartwatch and Tech Bag
For the first casual look, we have reimagined a 70s guy outfit with wearable tech and a modern take on grooming trends.
- The 70s elements include the denim jacket, graphic tee, and straight-cut jeans.
- The modern accessories include the Smartwatch, a crossbody tech bag, and a modern undercut hairstyle.
Retro-Casual Blend: 70s Wear for Guys with Smart Sneakers & Gadgets
The fourth look is the second casual look that incorporates the earthy-toned 70s wear for men with the functional gadgets that complement the everyday streetwear.
- The 70s elements include the Suede jacket, turtleneck, and corduroy trousers.
- The modern accessories include the Smart sneakers, phone-linked glasses, slim leather laptop bag, along with a short shag haircut inspired by the 1970s men’s hairstyles.
Executive Retro: 1970s Suit Mixed with Smartwatch & Modern Business Gear
For the business looks, the first look we imagined was to create a timeless meets the modern executive look by combining the classic male 70s attire for work settings with today’s smart tools.
- The 70s clothing elements used in this look are the classic wide-lapel 1970s suit, patterned tie, and flared dress pants
- The modern additions include the Smartwatch, a leather briefcase with a charging port, and modern Oxford shoes.
Polished Hybrid: Men’s 70s Shirt and Blazer Styled with Modern Accessories
The second business look fuses semi-formal 1970s men’s fashion with modern business accessories for a hybrid work-ready outfit.
- The 1970s ensembles include the Knit polo shirt under a blazer, high-waist trousers, and loafers.
- The modern additions are a Slim laptop bag, wireless earbuds, and a slicked-back modern hairstyle.
Final Remarks
The 1970s men’s fashion was a decade where men transitioned towards comfortable dressing, but they also widely accepted bold, colorful statement outfits, which were accessorized with shoes, jewelry, and 1970s men’s hairstyles, making the era a totally unique one heavily inspired by rock and pop culture.
For me, the 1970s were a decade of celebrating the freedom of choice for men when it came to clothing. They chose not to restrict themselves to the 60s conservative fashion silhouettes and explored fashion in the most unforgettable way, making this era the most vibrant era of fashion for men.
From Mick Jagger on the rock stage to John Travolta on the disco floor, men embraced individuality in style.
While you have been interested in knowing about men’s fashion for different decades, do not forget to read our take and guide on Men’s Fashion 2025, which includes both affordable and luxury looks in one blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to wear to a ’70s theme party for men?
For a 70s-themed party look, we recommend a look with a shiny satin disco shirt, high-waist flared pants, platform shoes, gold chains, and aviator sunglasses.
How can I recreate a ’70s look today?
To create a classic 70s look today, you can wear a denim jacket, a graphic tee, bell-bottom jeans, cowboy boots, or sneakers for a casual look, and you can wear a wide-lapel suit jacket, flared dress trousers, a paisley or satin men’s 70s shirt with a patterned tie, and loafers for a formal or business look.
How to recreate a 70s denim look?
To recreate a 70s denim look, you can wear the denim jacket, graphic tee, and straight-cut jeans with cowboy boots or sneakers.
What kind of shoes did men wear in the 1970s?
The most popular 1970s men’s shoes included platform shoes, loafers, cowboy boots, sneakers (Adidas, Puma), and two-tone dress shoes.
Why is 1970s men’s fashion still popular today?
1970s men’s fashion is still popular because it was bold, colorful, and individualistic. Their key elements, like flared trousers, paisley prints, and wide-lapel suits, are still inspiring the new generation, influencing the designers to revive the fashion in retro-themed fashion trends.
