10 Fads From the 70s That Everyone Secretly Misses and Why They’re Making a Comeback

The 1970s had a wild mix of styles, weird trends, and fun ideas that really shaped the decade. Some of those fads faded away, but honestly, they still stick in our memories.

You might be surprised, but a lot of people still miss these old trends. Let’s take a quick trip back and look at 10 fads from the ’70s that plenty of us secretly wish would return.

1) Bell-Bottom Jeans

If you grew up in the 70s, you probably owned a pair of bell-bottom jeans. The pants flared out from the knees, giving you a look that was way more fun than regular jeans.

Sailors first wore bell-bottoms for practical reasons, but by the disco era, everyone wanted a pair. They crossed music scenes and age groups, making them hard to miss.

Bell-bottoms give off a cool retro vibe. You can wear them with a loud top or a plain tee—either way, you’ll stand out. This style pops up now and then because it’s just so easy and memorable.

Learn more about the bell-bottom pants craze of the 1970s.

2) Shag Carpeting

Shag carpeting covered floors everywhere in the 1970s. If your house had a thick rug with long fibers, you nailed the look.

You probably remember how soft and squishy shag carpets felt under your feet. They turned rooms into cozy spaces.

Earthy colors made the bold texture blend right in. Cleaning them was a pain, though, since dirt loved to hide deep in those fibers.

But a lot of people loved the comfort and funky look. If you want a retro touch, shag carpet brings instant 70s charm.

Learn more about the classic shag trend here.

3) Body Shirts

Body shirts were everywhere in the 70s if you wanted to show off your shape. Made mostly from polyester, they hugged every curve and left little to the imagination.

The wild patterns made you stand out. If you liked tight clothes that made a statement, these shirts were a no-brainer.

Wearing one now kind of takes you back to that confident, bold style. Pair them with jeans or a skirt and you’ve got an outfit that’s simple but impossible to ignore.

Learn more about this trend from the 70s that everyone tried at 15 Most Bizarre Fads From The ‘70s That Everyone Tried.

4) Handwoven Macramé Plant Hangers

Handwoven macramé plant hangers brought a cozy, natural vibe to homes in the 70s. They’re still charming, honestly.

Making your own macramé hanger is a relaxing little craft. All you need are some knots, cotton cord, and maybe a few beads.

Macramé plant hangers are back now. You can grab a vintage one or make your own and show off your favorite plant. Check out some 1970s macrame planter hanger ideas here.

5) Vinyl Records

Vinyl records just feel special. The warm sound and big album covers made listening to music an event.

In the 70s, 8-tracks and cassettes showed up, but vinyl stuck around anyway. Lots of people today still collect records or play them on a turntable.

Trying vinyl again can be a fun throwback. You might even realize you miss the hands-on, personal way music used to feel.

Check out more about the 70s music trends and how vinyl fit in at 20 of the Most Popular Fads From the 1970s.

6) Platform Shoes

Platform shoes were massive in the 70s—literally. Thick soles gave you extra height and a bold look.

Walking in them could get tricky. You had to watch your step or you’d wipe out.

Still, they made you feel taller and, let’s be honest, a bit cooler. If you’re in the mood for something retro, platform shoes are a fun pick.

You can learn more about this trend and why it was so popular from this detailed guide on platform shoes in the 70s.

7) Disco Balls

Disco balls lit up every party in the 70s. You probably remember the spinning lights bouncing all over the room.

Seeing a disco ball instantly brings back memories of wild dance floors and good times. It wasn’t just a decoration—it meant fun and freedom.

Even now, disco balls make any celebration feel special. They’re a quick way to relive that colorful, energetic era. Learn more about how disco balls became the symbol of the 1970s.

8) Mood Rings

Mood rings were those funky 70s rings that promised to show your feelings. The stone changed color based on your skin temperature, which supposedly meant something about your mood.

Inventors came up with mood rings in 1975, and people snapped them up. The ring might turn blue, green, or even black, depending on your body heat.

Sure, they were more about fun than science, but people loved them for self-expression. Mood rings still bring back memories of 70s creativity. Check out more about the mood rings of the 70s.

9) Pet Rocks

It sounds odd, but people in the 1970s actually bought rocks as pets. The Pet Rock came in a box with air holes and a little booklet on how to care for it.

You didn’t need to feed or walk it—just enjoy the joke. Millions bought Pet Rocks as a gag or a simple gift.

If you want to see more about this weird trend, check out this video on the Pet Rock fad.

10) Polaroid Cameras

Snapping a picture and watching it develop in front of you was pure magic. Polaroid cameras exploded in popularity during the 1970s because they gave you instant photos—no waiting around for film.

The Polaroid OneStep Land Camera showed up in 1977 and quickly became a favorite. Simple, quick, and just plain fun.

Digital cameras took over later, but let’s be real, instant photos have their own appeal. You can still find old Polaroids in thrift shops if you want to try one out. For more on the Polaroid one-step and its history, see this Woman Thrifts 1970s Polaroid story.

Why 70s Fads Still Resonate Today

Why do trends from the 1970s keep showing up in fashion, music, or even daily life? It probably has a lot to do with the big cultural changes back then and the way we look back on those days now.

Cultural Shifts That Fueled Iconic Trends

The 70s brought huge changes. People wanted to express themselves in new ways.

Bold fashion like bell bottoms and polyester popped up, and you still see echoes of that today. Music scenes like disco and punk exploded, while roller discos became the place to hang out.

You can catch some of that energy in today’s retro parties or dance crazes. The push for individuality made quirky stuff like mood rings and clackers a hit.

These fads let you show off your personality—something we all still look for in clothes or accessories, right?

The Power of Nostalgia in Pop Culture

There’s something about 70s trends that just pulls you in. Movies, TV shows, and music from that era bring back the vibe, making all those old styles feel cool again.

Nostalgia acts like a bridge. When you watch a show or listen to a song from the 70s, you end up reconnecting with simpler, maybe even happier times.

This connection makes retro sunglasses or platform shoes feel even more fun to wear.

Pop culture loves to recycle 70s ideas. There’s just something timeless and energetic about them that keeps people coming back.

Whenever you rock a vintage look, you’re not just following a trend—you’re joining a tradition that’s still going strong.

If you want to dig deeper into 70s trends, here’s a list of funky fads of the 1970s.

How 1970s Fads Influence Modern Style

Trends from the 1970s keep popping up in new ways. You can spot their influence in both today’s clothes and even in tech design.

Fashion Comebacks Inspired by the 70s

Bellbottom pants? They’re back, and you can find them in stores or all over social media. The wide legs give off a relaxed, easygoing vibe that fits right in with modern casual style.

Tie-dye shirts and flowy maxi dresses have made their way into today’s closets. They bring in that colorful, carefree energy that defined the 70s.

Chunky platform shoes and oversized sunglasses aren’t going anywhere either. They blend retro flair with current fashion for a look that feels both bold and fresh.

If you want to add a 70s touch to your outfit, try bold colors, natural fabrics, or funky prints. It’s an easy way to make your style feel vintage and trendy all at once.

Retro Technology Making a Return

Some tech from the 70s is popping up everywhere again. People love vinyl records now—they just have this vintage sound you can’t really get from digital music.

Old-school Polaroid cameras have made a comeback too. You snap a photo, and boom, you’ve got a print in your hand. It’s honestly just fun.

You might spot cassette tapes or retro radios hanging out as decorations, or sometimes people actually use them. They bring a bit of nostalgia and style into everyday life.

These old gadgets connect us to the past, but they still work with how we live now.