What Men’s Fashion Looked Like in the '70s—and Why We Hope It Never Comes Back (40 Photos)

Every decade has its signature style, but what about the '70s? The defining trend of 1970s fashion was sheer variety—an eclectic mix of boho, hippie, folk, classic, disco, punk, and unisex styles all shared the spotlight. Looking back today, men's fashion from that era feels especially bizarre, packed with skin-tight bell-bottoms, shiny fabrics, and ridiculous sleep onesies. Here is a look at some prime examples of 1970s menswear.





Back in the '70s, people—especially in America—were far from shy when it came to wearing loud, daring outfits. Vibrant colors and bold patterns ruled the day, featuring a fitted-top, wide-bottom silhouette and statement fabrics like satin, suede, and corduroy. The decade's biggest wardrobe staples included flare pants, platform shoes, vests, wide-collared shirts, tight tees, turtlenecks, and nightwear onesies.



Looking at some of these '70s outfits, most people agree on one thing: thank goodness these trends stayed in the past. To be fair, some '70s looks became timeless icons that designers still draw inspiration from today—but plenty of others proved to be downright absurd fashion fails.