Fashion From the 1970s: History's Best Sellers

Make way for the hits of 1970s! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the disco & blockbuster decade and the march of first-rate fashion. Crowd-pleasers such as Clog shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers Hotpants and The Halter Jumpsuit. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Traditional and Mary Quant, these trailblazing products defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Clog

   Released in 1970 by Traditional, Multiple regional artisans

   The clog, a shoe with roots stretching back centuries, surprisingly blossomed into a global fashion sensation in the 1970s. Shifting from its humble origins as durable, protective workwear in agricultural and industrial settings across Europe and Asia, it found an unexpected niche in mainstream fashion. This sudden leap from utilitarian footwear to a style icon was fueled by a cultural shift towards more relaxed, natural aesthetics and a desire for comfort without sacrificing distinctive style. Its chunky silhouette and rustic charm captured the zeitgeist of the era, quickly establishing itself as a must-have item in wardrobes worldwide, marking a significant cultural and commercial success.

2. Hotpants

   Released in 1970 by Mary Quant, Jacques Esterel

   The early 1970s ushered in a bold and undeniably provocative fashion trend: hotpants. Coined by Women's Wear Daily in 1970, this term described a new wave of extremely short shorts that immediately captured the imagination of a generation. Far from being merely a fleeting style, hotpants became an emblem of burgeoning youth culture, sexual liberation, and a daring approach to self-expression. Their launch sparked both controversy and widespread adoption, rapidly transitioning from high fashion runways into mainstream wardrobes and cementing their status as a defining cultural and commercial success of the decade.

3. The Halter Jumpsuit

   Released in 1970 by Halston, Yves Saint Laurent

   The Halter Jumpsuit burst onto the fashion scene as a defining garment of the late 1960s and early 1970s, perfectly encapsulating the era's spirit of liberation, glamour, and youthful exuberance. While its elements had existed separately, their fusion into a single, sleek silhouette created an instant sensation. It swiftly moved from high-fashion runways to becoming a ubiquitous sight on disco dance floors and celebrity red carpets, offering women a sophisticated yet daring alternative to traditional evening wear. Its immediate success lay in its ability to combine comfort with undeniable sex appeal, marking a significant shift in women's fashion towards more dynamic and body-conscious designs.

4. Tube top

   Released in 1970 by Various Manufacturers

   The tube top burst onto the fashion scene in the early 1970s, quickly becoming a defining, yet deceptively simple, garment for a generation seeking effortless style. Emerging from humble beginnings as a basic fabric tube, it capitalized on a growing desire for casual, comfortable, and liberating attire. Its immediate popularity wasn't tied to a specific haute couture designer or a high-profile fashion show, but rather to its accessible design and adaptability, making it an instant commercial success and a cultural touchstone for youthful self-expression. It offered a fresh, unencumbered silhouette that resonated with the era's relaxed aesthetic, rapidly transitioning from a novelty item to a wardrobe staple.

5. Mood ring

   Released in 1971 by Josh Reynolds, Maris Ambats

   The mood ring burst onto the fashion scene in the early 1970s, quickly becoming a defining accessory of the decade. Introduced in 1971, this seemingly magical piece of jewelry promised wearers a window into their own emotional state, changing colors to reflect their mood. This captivating blend of novelty, pseudoscience, and personal expression struck a chord with a public eager for self-discovery and unique fashion statements. Its instant success was fueled by curiosity and the undeniable allure of a ring that seemed to possess a secret language, transforming it from a simple trinket into a widespread cultural phenomenon and a significant commercial hit.

6. Wrap dress

   Released in 1973 by DVF, Diane von Fürstenberg

   The wrap dress burst onto the fashion scene in 1973, popularized by designer Diane von Fürstenberg, becoming an instant icon of accessible elegance and modern femininity. Her jersey wrap dress offered women a versatile, comfortable, and chic garment that was easy to wear and flattering to all body types. It quickly became a symbol of the burgeoning women's liberation movement, offering a professional yet sensual look that empowered women in their growing roles in the workplace and beyond. Its commercial success was phenomenal, selling millions within just a few years and cementing its place as a quintessential piece of 1970s fashion, forever changing how women dressed.

7. Bondage pants

   Released in 1976 by Seditionaries, Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McLaren

   Bondage pants exploded onto the fashion scene in the mid-1970s, quickly becoming synonymous with the burgeoning punk rock movement. Far from a mere garment, they were a sartorial statement, a deliberate act of rebellion against mainstream conformity and polite society. Popularized by avant-garde designers Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren through their iconic London shops, SEX and Seditionaries, these trousers weren't just worn; they were adopted as a uniform by a generation eager to dismantle the status quo. Their immediate cultural impact was profound, signifying a radical shift in youth culture and establishing a defiant aesthetic that resonated far beyond the streets of London.

8. Ugg boots

   Released in 1978 by UGG, Brian Smith

   Ugg boots, initially a utilitarian piece of footwear from the Australian outback and surf scene, surprisingly emerged as one of the most iconic and widely recognized fashion items of the 21st century. Their journey from functional warmth for farmers and surfers to a global style phenomenon is remarkable. First gaining localized popularity in Australia during the mid-20th century, these unique sheepskin boots captivated the world with their unparalleled comfort and distinctive, laid-back aesthetic. Their success truly exploded in the early 2000s, transforming them from a niche item into a mass-market essential, synonymous with cozy luxury and casual cool.