The return of 70s fashion for men
In retrospect, the 1970s were a complicated time for men’s style.
If you haven’t watched a young John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever lately, take a few hours this weekend and revisit it. It’s a great film, and seeing Travolta become a full-blown star is fun to watch. But I’d challenge you to get through the movie without wincing at least once at what the guys are wearing.
The staples of 70s fashion for men—platform shoes, polyester shirts, feathered hair, vests without shirts, oversized collars, and full disco energy—have not all aged well. And the bold choices were not limited to the dance floor. Some men wore leisure suits to the office. Bell bottom jeans were everywhere. Shirts were unbuttoned low, collars were wide, and subtlety was not exactly the point.
So when fashion starts saying that 70s fashion is back for men, I think there are two ways to look at it:
You can avoid the trend completely and wait for it to pass.
Or you can take the best parts of 70s style and make them work in a modern, wearable way.
As a stylist, I always recommend the second option.
The goal is not to dress like you are heading to a disco party. The goal is to borrow the pieces, colors, textures, and silhouettes that still feel stylish today—and leave the rest in the past.
Wardrobe staples of the 70s to wear today
When I think about 70s fashion for men, I do not think every part of the era needs to come back.
For example, I don’t think most guys today are going to wear true bell bottoms again. And honestly, I don’t think they need to. The same goes for extremely tight polyester pants or full head-to-toe disco looks. Those can feel more like a costume than a modern outfit.
But some parts of the decade are worth revisiting.
I’m seeing a return of 70s color palettes and silhouettes. I would not imagine that bell bottoms are coming back. And I don’t think they need to. But I do think some interesting bits and pieces of 70s fashion are coming back.
The best way to approach this trend is through select details, not the full look.
The colors I’m seeing most are browns, cardinals, and burnt orange—those warm, earthy tones that immediately feel connected to the 1970s. If you look at more high-end luxury brands, you’ll see a lot of that.
Those colors work especially well because they feel rich without being loud. A burnt orange knit, a brown jacket, or a deep red shirt can add personality to an outfit while still feeling mature and wearable.
I’m also seeing a return of wider collars, especially on polos and camp shirts. A camp collar shirt is one of the easiest ways to bring 70s style into a modern wardrobe. It gives you that relaxed retro feeling without looking like you are wearing a costume. It works with chinos, jeans, shorts, or even under a lightweight jacket.
Short shorts are also coming back. I see this especially in summer dressing. The modern version is cleaner and more intentional than the 1970s version. Think a shorter inseam, a better fit, and a more balanced outfit.
Fun floral prints are another piece of the 70s that can work today. The key is fabric and styling. A floral shirt in a breathable cotton, linen blend, or soft rayon can feel relaxed and stylish. A tight polyester floral shirt, on the other hand, is probably better left in the past.
70s styles that are now fashion staples
As silly as some parts of 1970s fashion look now, a few pieces from that era have become true menswear staples.
Footwear is one of the clearest examples.
Chukka boots are everywhere today, and their popularity can be traced partly to the desert boot craze of the 1970s. All desert boots are chukka boots, though not all chukka boots are desert boots. Desert boots are usually made of suede and have crepe soles.
What I like about chukka boots is how easy they are to wear. They work with jeans, chinos, casual trousers, and even some smart casual looks. They give an outfit more polish than sneakers, but they do not feel as formal as dress shoes.
That balance is exactly why they still feel relevant.
Corduroy is another strong example. Corduroy has been around for centuries, but many people still associate it closely with the 1970s. Today, you are likely to see it in shirts, jackets, pants, and overshirts.
I like corduroy because it adds texture. A corduroy jacket can make a simple outfit feel more interesting. A corduroy shirt can bring warmth and depth to a fall or winter look. Corduroy pants can work too, as long as the fit feels modern.
But here is my warning: do not wear too much of it at once.
In the 70s, it was not uncommon to see a man wearing corduroy pants with a matching corduroy jacket. That is not the direction I would recommend today.
The most stylish way to wear 70s fashion now is to take one retro-inspired piece and pair it with something modern.
Try a corduroy jacket with chinos. Desert boots with modern jeans. A camp collar shirt with tailored shorts. A warm brown knit with clean trousers. The balance keeps the outfit current.
That is what I always tell clients: mix and match. Find a way to include the 70s rather than dressing like it is the 70s.
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