Pop Culture and Fashion in the seventies

What was happening in the world in the seventies?

The 1970s was a decade of dramatic change in the world. It is said that people were trying to find themselves after many events that happened prior, such as the Vietnam War and Women’s Rights movement. There was a lot happening in the world in the seventies. It was a turbulent time full of assassinations, protest movements, and social upheaval.

Women’s Rights Movement

The Women’s Rights Movement had a huge impact on society and how people dressed in the seventies. In 1968, the first bra burning protest took place. This protest was against restrictive undergarments and restrictive gender roles. The women wanted to be able to wear what they wanted without being discriminated against or put down because of their clothing choice. They also wanted to have equal rights in the workplace and equal pay for equal work. This movement helped change how people thought about clothing. For example, in the 1970s, pants became more popular as many women began rejecting skirts and dresses as symbols of oppression. And with more progressive attitudes towards gender, designers like Ralph Lauren began designing clothes for men and women alike in his collections.

Music and pop culture in the Seventies

Music and pop culture is a double edged sword. On one hand, it can be the best thing ever. It can make you feel happy and energized and help you connect with people who share your interests. On the other hand, it can make you sad or frustrated or angry if what's popular isn't to your taste or if your favorite artist suddenly changes their style and becomes "trendy." The 1970s was an exciting time for music and pop culture. The Vietnam War, civil rights movement, Women’s Rights movement, and the growth of the internet all influenced how people dressed in the seventies. It was also a challenging time where everything from oil prices to inflation and unemployment soared. Throughout the decade there were dramatic moments such as Watergate scandal (1972-1974), President Nixon resigning (1974) and President Ford being elected as president after Nixon resigned (1974). There were also many musical artists who made an impact: Stevie Wonder released his album Talking Book in 1972; The Who released their album Who's Next in 1971; Tina Turner released her album Private Dancer in 1984; Eric Clapton released his album Slowhand in 1977; ABBA released their song Take A Chance On Me in 1978. Music of the 70s influenced fashion as well. Disco music inspired flashy fashions while punk inspired more minimalist designs; both had an impact on fashion for decades to come.

Fashion in the seventies

The fashion culture of the 1970s is often referred to as "the decade that taste forgot," but there were a few key moments that shaped how people dressed. In the 1970s, the Vietnam War and inflation had an effect on how people dressed. Designers started using more synthetic fabrics (like polyester) and bold colors to keep up with changes in the economy. Also the growth of disco music in the 1970s and its focus on polyester led to a lot of clothing made out of the material. With celebrities like Cher and Diana Ross embracing this trend, it influenced fashion for decades to come. Another important moment for fashion came with punk rock in the late 70s which was characterized by wearing what you could find at thrift stores, not caring about trends, and taking pride in your appearance. It's no coincidence that this style persisted well into the 1990s with grunge music becoming popular in 1991.

Conclusion

From the music to the fashion, the seventies was a decade of change that shaped the course of popular culture. The women’s rights movement, Vietnam War and inflation all contributed to a decade of intense change and emotion. Fashion in the Seventies saw a shift away from the conservative styles of the fifties and sixties. Women’s clothing during the seventies was characterized by bold colors, flared pants, jumpsuits, halter tops, and bell-bottoms. Men’s fashion saw a return to bold patterns and large lapels, while men’s hairstyles went from the long hair of the sixties to a more conservative look. It was important for people to express their individuality during this era and there were plenty of ways to do that with fashion, music and pop culture.