There is a small detail most 1970s men’s fashion articles skip. Back in 1971, a well dressed men might tie a wide belt tight at the waist, not for comfort, but because it made his shoulders look bigger and his waist look smaller. That is the kind of thing that made 70s men’s outfits style work.
Most people picture the 70s men’s outfits as loud colours and big collars and sure, that’s part of it. But the clothes were built around one clear shape. Once you get that shape, it’s a lot easier to borrow from the era today without looking like you have walked out of a costume shop.
So forget the costume party version of the 1970s menswear. Here’s what men really wore, piece by piece and how to wear it now without looking like you are dressed up for Halloween.
The Wide Lapel Suit and Sport Coat
What it was: Suits in the 1960s were narrow and buttoned up. The 70s fashion threw that out. Lapels got wider, jackets got shorter and the waist was cut in tighter, so the jacket had real shape through the middle.
Roger Moore wore a belted, patch pocket safari jacket as James Bond and the and it became a popular summer look. There was a cheaper version too, called the leisure suit. It was usually polyester, often in pastel colours. By the late 70s outfits, lapels and trouser legs got narrower again. Shoulders started to widen, leading into the sharper look of the 80s fashion.
How to wear it now: A wide lapel still suits a broader chest men. It balances him out, the same way it did fifty years ago. Look for a jacket with a lapel close to 4 inches. Most shops only sell the thin 2.5-inch style today.
Keep the rest of the outfit plain, a white shirt, no tie clip, no pattern, so the lapel looks like your choice, not a costume. Skip the leisure suit copy too.
Flared and Wide Leg Trousers
What it was: Flares stayed slim on the thigh and kicked out below the knee. Straight wide leg trousers were loose the whole way down, not just at the bottom. Guys wear both with blazers, T-shirts, pretty much anything. Denim versions were just as common as tailored ones.
How to wear it now: 70s style often got the balance wrong, so it’s worth fixing that today. A flare needs a shoe with some height, like a stacked heel boot. Without it, the fabric bunches up round your foot and looks messy. Keep the flare small, just a slight kick from the knee, not a full bell. Pair it with a fitted t shirt. A fitted shirt with style fitted wide leg trousers looks planned.
Disco and Silk Shirts
What it was: Silk and 1970s Qiana nylon shirts with big collars, wearing style half open, were the uniform on disco floors. Bold prints, metallic fabric, sheer material, all fair game. The shirt was usually the boldest thing in the whole outfit.
How to wear it now: A silk shirt still works today, but keep it simple. Choose a bold wing collar or a bold printed shirts, not both at once. A plain silk shirt in a rich colour, like mustard or deep green with a modern big collar, looks expensive rather than dated.
Corduroy, Suede and Leather
What it was: Corduroy jackets, flared trousers, even full suits, were everywhere, mostly in brown. Suede jackets, often with fringe, crossed over from western wear into everyday clothes. Leather jackets had wide collars, big buckles and turned up in colours like bright red.
How to wear it now: Corduroy has aged the best of the three. A wide wale corduroy jacket over a jumper still looks good in day or night. Stick to one suede jackets, not a whole outfit. A suede boot works well. A plain suede bomber jacket works too. Skip the fringe jacket. Skip coloured leather unless you want a clear retro look.
Turtlenecks and Knitwear
What it was: The 1970s turtleneck outfit or roll neck mens wear it under blazers, under suits or on its own with jeans. Patterned knitwear, argyle, stripes, geometric prints, showed up almost as much as plain colours.
How to wear it now: A thin turtleneck under a blazer is one of the easiest 70s outfits pieces to wear today. It never really went away. Just don’t go too thick. A bulky turtleneck under a jacket adds bulk in the wrong places, so stick to merino wool or a light cotton blend.
For knitwear, stick to one pattern per outfit. The 70s style got away with a patterned jumper and patterned trousers together. Today, that just looks like fancy dress.
Western and Denim Style
What it was: Embroidered western shirts, denim jackets, cowboy boots and bolo ties moved from ranch wear into everyday fashion, helped along by films and musicians who wore the look constantly. Denim on denim, jacket and jeans together, was normal, not a risk.
How to wear it now: Denim on denim 70s style still works if the two washes look different enough to stand apart. You don not want to match like a boiler suit. Try a dark denim jacket with lighter jeans or the other way round. Western shirt details, like snap buttons or stitched yokes, are easy to wear now if you pick a subtle version and keep the rest plain. Save the full cowboy boots and bolo tie for a themed night, not a normal day.
Platform Shoes and Big Accessories
What it was: Platform shoes, loafers and two tone boots gave men extra height and a heavier look underfoot. Wide belts, aviator sunglasses and fedora hats rounded things off and long sideburns or a moustache were common enough to count as part of the outfit.
How to wear it now: A shoe with a small platform or stacked heel is the easiest way to bring 70s style into an outfit today, especially with flares or wide leg pants. Keep the height small, about an inch is enough, so it doesn’t look like a costume. A wide belt with a plain buckle works well with high waisted pants.
What to Skip From the 70s
Not everything from the 70s deserves a comeback. Knowing what to skip is what keeps your outfit looking styled, not like a Halloween costume.
- Full three piece polyester leisure suits. Even back then, people saw these as the cheap option. A tailored jacket in a natural fabric does the job better.
- Matching prints top to bottom. A patterned shirt with patterned trousers was normal in the 70s. It rarely works today.
- Very wide flares. Anything wider than a small kick at the ankle looks like a costume.
- Metallic or sheer fabric outside a themed night. That belonged to the disco floor, even back then.
Deepak Bhandari has spent 10 years in personal styling, helping men dress with more confidence and less guesswork. He’s the founder of Deepu Fashion, where he writes about style, grooming and everyday outfit ideas that actually work in real life. Follow him on Instagram for daily style tips and inspiration.
