There’s no denial that when you think about what the ’70s are known for, the era’s colorful culture is the one thing that pops to mind first. Everything from the fashion, to music, to movies is so beautifully vivid and bold, one can’t help but admire it.
The list below consists of images that perfectly encapsulate the mood of the era. These pictures were shared by the Instagram account The70z, that’s dedicated to all things groovy. Over the years, it has amassed over 305,000 followers, proving that people still need sideburns and platform shoes on their feeds. Scroll down to get your fix of the funky and the radical.
#1 Ruth Gordon Schnapp, California’s First Woman Structural Engineer, 1970s
If you were to describe atypical ’70s outfit, you’d probably mention one of the standard hippie looks consisting of bell-bottoms, a turtle neck, and some modest peace-sign-shaped jewelry. This type of bohemian fashion was all the rage in the first part of the decade.
Birthed by the counter-culture movement that encouraged everyone to “stick it to the man” and celebrated personal freedom, the fashion was carefree and fluid. The mood was created with flowy peasant blouses, maxi dresses, ponchos, and capes. The hair was long and natural; afros were in style. Men were growing out sideburns and proudly wearing mutton chops.
Natural colors and floral patterns took over for a while, too. Inspired by the new environmental movement, it moved away from the outrageous colors of the ’60s. Burnt orange, dark yellow, deep purple, and olive green were common in clothing andinteriors.
#2 41 29th Street, San Francisco, 1978
#3 Hippie Dad Walking With His Daughter, Amsterdam, 1967. Photo By Toni Riera
When it came to interiors,wood and rattan, both of which reinforced the natural feel, were really popular. Many swapped the outdated wallpapers to wood paneling that gave a warm look to their rooms while rattan was used in furniture such as chairs and tables. It was all tied together with velvet that helped to balance it all out by adding luxurious coziness to the atmosphere.
The emphasis of coziness is really notable when you look at the furniture that was popular back then. Curvy, cushy sofas were loved by many, while papasan chairs, egg chairs, and beanbags became lounging staples. Sunken living room designs or so-called conversation pits were popular, too.
#4 Joan Jett Without Her Signature Black Eyeliner
#5 Women In Afghanistan During The 70s. Before Taliban. Heartbroken For All Woman, Men And Children Going Through Pain Now In
#6 Tim Curry, 1974 By Joe Gaffney
The ’70swere burstingwith musical talent and innovations. Rock music was seeing a particular boom in the industry. Hard rock emerged with AC/DC, Kiss, and Aerosmith rising into stardom. Punk rock was also finding its audience with the Ramones, Blondie, and Patti Smith encouraging everyone to shun the mainstream.
#7 Helen Mirren, 1969
#8 Harrison Ford In A Kitchen In The Late 70s
#9 That Moment When You Realize Your Parents Were Cooler Than You. “My Parents In Front Of A Store In Paris, 1972”
Meanwhile, the mainstream was seeing the rise ofdiscomusic. Nightclubs were popping up all over the place and people needed dance anthems there and then. That’s when Gloria Gaynor gave the world “I Will Survive,” Chic made us “Le Freak,” and the Bee Gees reinvigorated everyone with “Staying Alive.”
#10 André The Giant, Using Dwayne Johnson’s Grandfather (Weighing 315lb), High Chief Peter Maivia As A Booster Seat. 1970s
#11 Lynda Carter Pre-Wonder Woman In The 7os
#12 Gary Anderson, The Guy Who, At Age 23, Designed The Recycling Logo For A Contest, 1970
Brought about by the disco music, the disco look also emerged in the ’70s. The fashionistas were not afraid of showing off the body with revealing tube tops and halter neck styles becoming popular all over. Sequins were the go-to material, allowing bodies to shine under the nightclub lights. Short shorts, form-fitting pants, or long dresses with high slits were popular amongst women while men often opted for three-piece suits inspired by Saturday Night Fever.
#13 A Woman Photographed In 1973
#14 Amy Irving, Carrie Fisher And Teri Garr. New York City, 1977
#15 Cher
Talking about inspirational movies, one cannot omit the monumental work made during this decade. The young filmmaking voices such as Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Martin Scorsese premiered The Godfather, Jaws, and Taxi Driver respectively, all of which rocked the movie scene.
#16 14-Year-Old Melanie Griffith, At Home With Her Pet Lion, Neil,1971
#17 Dolly Parton Performs In Detroit, Michigan In September Of 1977
#18 New York City, 1975 By @joel_meyerowitz
Genre movies also rose in popularity, with quite a few science fiction flicks garnering a lot of attention. The epic space opera, Star Wars, became an instant hit and gradually evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Close Encounters Of The Third Kind got everyone talking about aliens, a topic that was further explored with Alien at the end of the decade.
#19 New York City, 1978. Photo By Helen Levitt
#20 A Very Chill Looking Dude Getting Caught Growing Weed In His Garden, L.a., 1973
#21 Susan Sarandon, Cannes, 1978
All in all, the ’70s culture was quite charming. Looking back, there are quite a few things one would love to bring back. Not theviolence, homophobia, or carelessness, of course. Preferably, just the funky patterns and the awkward lingo. Right on, dude!
#22 San Francisco’s Lombard Street In 1975
#23 Conversation Pits From The 1960s And 1970s
#24 Susan Sarandon In “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975)
#25 Elton John At Home With His Shoe Collection. Photo By Terry O’neill, 1975
#26 Rumours (1977)
#27 Sizzling In The Kitchen: Abba’s Agnetha Fältskog, 1974
#28 Al Pacino
#29 Dolly Parton
#30 Anjelica Huston Models In Halston’s Fall 1972 Ready-To-Wear Collection. Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock
#31 Two Brothers At Their Joint Wedding. 1970’s
#32 Sigourney Weaver At The Tail O’ The Pup, La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 1978
#33 At Home With Harrison Ford, 1978
#34 Kate Bush, London, March 1978
#35 Jonathan Frid Crowns Christine Domaniecki “Miss American Vampire” (1970)
#36 George Harrison & Stevie Nicks , 1978
#37 Grace Jones, The Palace, Paris, 1978
#38 ‘how To Survive A Disco Attack’ – 1977
#39 Happy 1979
#40 Sharon Tate Photographed By Gene Gutowski On Their Christmas Holiday In Italy, 25 December 1968
#41 A Young Steve Martin Ironing A Cat, 1970s
#42 Madonna Photographed By Her Boyfriend Dan Gilroy On The Bus In New York, 1979
#43 A Steward Slices Meat For Passengers On Sas Scandinavian Airlines, 1969
#44 Margaux Hemingway Photographed By David Hume Kennedy In Havana, Cuba (1978)
#45 Robert De Niro On The Set Of Taxi Driver, 1976
#46 Girl On A Beach In Oahu, Hawaii, 1973. Photo By Nick Dewolf
#47 Willem Dafoe In The Wooster Group’s “Point Judith (An Epilog)” (1979), Produced At The Envelope In New York City. Photo By Nancy Campbell
#48 Danny Trejo And His 3rd Wife Joanne In 1976
#49 A Woman Known As “Disco Sally” Dances With Her Husband At Studio 54, 1978
#50 Swiss Photo Reporter Willy Spiller Captured The Grit Of The NYC Subway In The 70s
