Why Are We Obsessed with the ‘70s?

By Paige Greene
Web Content Assistant Manager

Get ready. People in their twenties are obsessed with the ‘70s again.

It seems to be a trend to bring back old decades of fashion, music, fads and more. These old items and trends are resurfacing and more popular than ever, but why?

Flared pants, baby tees, halter tops and roller skates are all examples of ‘70s inspired trends that are re-entering the fashion world. These accessories, along with other decade styles, have resurged due to fast fashion. 

Fast fashion is a marketing method and business model where companies will design and replicate runway trends at low cost. This quick access to clothes that are “in style” in turn speeds up the fashion cycles, causing trends to come in and out of style very quickly. 

So why did the fashion industry choose the ‘70s? Because the ‘90s and early 2000s are too painful to replicate without cringing at the thought of low-rise jeans. It is also commonly spread that trends repeat due to generations taking influence from what their parents wore.

Not only have old fashion trends come back, but whole aesthetics as well. If you have not noticed, records and polaroids are experiencing a revival.

First came vinyl records. According to The Manual, in 2020 vinyl record sales surpassed CD sales for the first time since more than a generation ago. 

I believe this is because there is something therapeutic about listening to records. Even though we live in the streaming era, listening to music has become a background activity—easily accessible in seconds and easy to ignore—but with records, it takes time to immerse yourself.

There is something special about buying a record at the store, bringing it home and staring at the cover art while the needle spins on the vinyl. I believe this experience is also one of the reasons this old technology has still not died out.

Then there were polaroid cameras. 

Like records, polaroid cameras have stood the test of time despite evolving and arguably superior technology. Something is fascinating about a physical form of an image you can immediately have in the palm of your hands. 

Even with new technology and trends, there is a fascination with the trends of the past. Whether it is because of nostalgia, the aesthetic or simply the cool-factor, there is no denying that the ‘70s are back and better than ever.

So, do not forget to grab yourselves a pair of bell-bottom jeans while the trend still lasts.

Featured image by Paige Greene via Canva.