The 1970s TIMELINE OF EVENTS 1970 Kent State Shootings during anti war demonstrations in an Ohio university First Earth Day 1971 200 000 people participated in an anti war march in DC 1972 Nixon went to China Watergate scandal Nixon reelected 1973 End of Vietnam War Abortion is legalized Yom Kippur War 1974 Nixon resigns Ford becomes president 1977 King Tut exhibit tours the US Punk fashions are incorporated into Zandra Rhodes clothing line 1978 Diplomatic relations open between US and China 1979 Camp David agreement Three mile island nuclear plant failure Shah of Iran overthrown by revolution Soviet troops invade Afghanistan WOMEN S DRESS 1974 1980 Undergarments bras were molded from synthetic fibers to give a natural appearance some women went braless pantyhose appeared with control tops Classic Revival dresses were belted or had a defined waist soft shaped lines that revealed body contour skirts had lengthened and flared gradually from waist to hem neutral colors soft drapable knit fabrics Popular Dress Styles dresses pulled over the head with elastic or drawstring waistlines and slightly bloused bodices cotton knit wrap dresses that had an attached belt for closure originated by Diane von Furstenberg Pantsuits staple in all wardrobes except conservative women made of knitted or textured polyester or gabardine sold at varying prices worn for work and during leisure time as sportswear also worn for formal evening occasions Female Version of the Male Business Suit tailored jacket skirt in a dark color blouse similar to a man s shirt small bow at neck was permissible but not a neck tie Disco Wear discos replaced elaborate formal dances and parties evening wear was not as important clothing was decidedly less formal jeans floor length skirts or dresses soft clingy knit fabrics Sportswear Pants pants were an alternative to skirts 1976 no more bell bottom shape more narrower 1978 pleated and gathered into a waistband tapered towards ankle cuffed or rolled to ankle Jeans virtual uniform for casual wear designer jeans tight jeans conformity to the body conscious look of the period Skirts mid 1970s more fullness tended to flare out covered the knee by at least a couple of inches Swirl skirt wrapped around the body and tied into place made from bias cut strips of multicolored fabrics part of the ethnic styles from India Blouses soft knit fabrics knit tops fell between blouse or sweater short or long sleeved narrow ribbed knits close fitting hemline below waist shoulder lines followed natural shoulder curve man tailored shirts buttoned up the front some wore them open to show they were bra less wrap style closure End of 1970s and early 1980s large loose shirts worn over pants or skirts collar of blouse visible over round neck sweater hand knitted sweaters 1975 Vogue proclaimed the sweater as basis for building a wardrobe long thigh length cardigans with matching tie belt sweater twin set matching cardigan and belted pullover made of natural fibers sweaters had a large loose fit 1977 Issey Miyake combined narrow leggings with oversized sweater tops T shirts very popular graphic tees messages on them sweatshirts in various colors for fitness leotards worn with jeans wrapped skirts and for exercising Preppy Look Shetland wool sweater single breasted tailored wool blazers pants and skirts tailored blouses Outerwear followed body lines flared out below waist tie belted coats trench coat raincoats ended below knee late 1970s down or fiber filled coats became popular for winter inspired by Chinese padded coats or down filled ski jackets Active Sportswear tennis clothing made in many different colors bathing suits came in a wide range bikini short term fad of 1974 empire styled skirted swimming dresses of 1974 thong designed by Rudi Gernreich in 1975 virtually bottomless bathing suit glorified jockstrap cut to reveal as much of the buttocks as possible while covering the crotch maillots one piece suits that became very popular after 1976 1976 sleek fitted jumpsuit popular on slopes 1977 one piece suit with a zipper down the middle developed 1979 stretch pants with stirrups and puffy parkas downhill outfits became more colorful and subject to season style changes Sleepwear nightgowns and pajamas short or long length nightgowns most popular 1970s heating restrictions lead to use of cotton flannels brushed tricot and onesies robes were tied with a sash kimono style with notched or shawl collars Accessories wide variety 1973 narrow rectangle handbags 1976 large tote bags 1979 soft satchels with interesting textures small square quilted handbags with chain shoulder straps originally a Chanel design briefcases carried by women dressed for success emphasis on natural materials lead to strong interest in leather accessories interest in gold and real gemstones gold chains and hoop earrings diamonds by the yard Elsa Peretti designed strings of gold with diamonds interspersed periodically 1973 snakeskin covered bangles were a fad 1976 digital watches first introduced Hair and Make Up mid 1970s natural look cosmetics companies developed complete lines of skin care products hairstyles grew in volume more hair care products required 1970s brighter lip stick and eye shadow shades