Things People Get Wrong About The 1970s

Jokes about the style of the 1970s abound. The words "shag carpet" evoke a specific idea of what the decade looked like. The 1970s are widely remembered as the decade where taste went to die, a time when the crisp, classic fashions of the 1950s and the far-out but decidedly cool fashions of the 1960s

Jokes about the style of the 1970s abound. The words "shag carpet" evoke a specific idea of what the decade looked like. The 1970s are widely remembered as the decade where taste went to die, a time when the crisp, classic fashions of the 1950s and the far-out but decidedly cool fashions of the 1960s were replaced by out of control sideburns, wide-lapel jackets, and lots of open shirts and gold chains. Similarly, as Architectural Digest notes, interior design was marred by avocado appliances, crochet and macrame everywhere, and vinyl tablecloths.

Sure, it's funny, but it's inaccurate. Every decade has its style mistakes, it's just that they usually aren't defined by them. The fact is, as Women and Home magazine reports, the 1970s are considered by many to have been one of the greatest decades ever for fashion and design. And as The New York Times notes, many design and style trends dating back to the 1970s are not only coming back in a big way but are influencing new trends.

In fact, as the Times points out, one reason the 1970s were so wild in terms of style was a distinct shift towards self-expression made possible by the movements of the previous decade. People were finally given permission to make their homes and their wardrobes personal instead of conforming, and the result was a burst of creativity. Not all of it was classic, of course—but a lot of it was.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunB%2BlGtncGtfqbWqusasZKmdn6W5pnnGnqtmr6Kku6h5wJumrqxdqbWmeZBybmmrXw%3D%3D

 Share!