If there’s one clear front runner trend to come hurtling out of these most recent fashion weeks then it’s HELLO ’70s! It was only a matter of time, really, given that we’ve kind of exhausted ’90s and ’60s, but when are we ever ready for a resurgence in enormous bell bottoms, polyester shirts and those weird mustard carpet prints which traumatised us from those pictures of our parents ‘courting’?
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Ye olde 1970s has a slightly unfair rep for dodgy looks, but there are actually some pretty swanky ideas to be gleaned from the decade which taste traditionally forgot. And who better to show us how it should be done than the fabulous women who got it so, so right without a smidgen of sweaty nylon in sight?
Farah Fawcett
No, we’re not for one moment suggesting that Charlie’s Angels fancy dress should be your new go-to – and definitely stay away from any attempts at the famous Farrah Fawcett flick ’do. However, Fawcett does propose an excellent flares modus operandi: wear with streamlined Nike sneaks, add a tee and hop on a skateboard. Job done. Also look to Fawcett for brilliant ’70s neckline pointers, we particularly recommend the swooshy off-the-shoulder dress and the halterneck catsuit.
Ali MacGraw
Ali MacGraw is possibly the most accessible of ’70s fashion muses. We’re thinking particularly of her cute preppy get-ups in the seminal 1970 film, Love Story. Prepare to become obsessed with too-long scarves, bobble hats, ribbed knitwear (lots of good options right now at Zara, fyi) and perfect navy pea coats. Add in a mini kilt or boot-cut cords to ramp up the Jenny Cavalleri ’70s-ness of it all.
Stevie Nicks (naturally)
Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks is the poster girl for ’70s new romantic gorgeousness. Barely ever seen in trousers, Nicks lived in floaty layers of lace, chiffon and velvet as she cavorted about the globe shaking her tambourine and singing to sell-out audiences. Do Nicks now by stocking up on vintage scarves, capes and diaphanous dresses, and invest in an extra slouchy pair of suede knee boots, like these from Office. It’s all best worn twirling to the Rumours album.
Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin basically won at the ’70s, as she lived out a much-storied relationship with Serge Gainsbourg, was nominated for numerous awards for her appearence in his controversial film Je t'Aime… Moi Non Plus and gained such style muse status that, in 1981, Hermes named their now iconic bag after her. Birkin was the original ‘effortless’ dresser, somehow making every outfit look like she had just rolled out of bed into an amazingly styled combo. Look to her for notes on broderie anglaise peasant tops, cotton tunics and denim flares with jersey tees. Our favourite thing? The way she would carry a basket instead of a bag, how whimsical. For further Birkin obsessing, we recommend this Birkin/Gainsbourg family album book.
Marisa Berenson
As granddaughter of legendary surrealist designer Elsa Schiaparelli, model and It-girl Marisa Berenson was bound to have a bit of a head start when it came to style intuition. Hers is the ’70s look to consider if you’re off for an Autumn holiday (lucky thing!) or just fancy appearing as if you are. Berenson’s wardrobe mainstays included loudly printed tunics in bright but beautiful colours, floppy sunhats and turbans decorated with jewelled brooches (see this one at ASOS) all with Moroccan vibes. It makes sense then that Yves Saint Laurent called her ‘the girl of the ’70s’.
Bianca Jagger
Bianca Jagger gained herself a place in the fashion history books for wearing a white suit to get married to Mick when she was four months pregnant in 1971. Little details such as tieing a length of black ribbon around your shirt collar are just begging to be borrowed again. Great trouser suits were a mainstay of Jagger’s wardrobe – Topshop have some brilliant modern versions in stock now. It was really at Studio 54 where Jagger came into her own in slinky Halston dresses and Grecian gowns. Her best accessory ever? The white horse she rode into the club on her birthday in 1977. Unfortunately we’re unable to help with sourcing a mare of your own.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.