17 Fashion Mistakes We All Made in the ’70s

7. Patterned Gowns

As pretty as these patterns are, the bell sleeves and full-length hemline can make you look like you’re wearing a giant pillowcase.

8. Double Denim

A great pair of jeans? Yes. A denim jacket? Absolutely, yes! Double denim? Double nooooo. The “Canadian tuxedo” (plus a satin shirt revealing tons of chest hair) just isn’t a good look.

9. Knee-High Socks

With the advent of the miniskirt came the rise (literally) of knee-high socks. As cute as the patterns may be, they can nevertheless make you look like a schoolgirl — no matter your age.

10. Ill-Advised Piercings

I love a good piercing as much as the next person, but certain members of the punk scene went way overboard on the safety pinned look.

11. Space Dresses

While they weren’t quite as wild as their ’60s counterparts, this type of futuristic garb remained popular in the ’70s, leading to tons of all-white ensembles that undoubtedly required so much bleach.

12. Studded Belts

Initially worn by punk rockers of the ’70s and later adopted by Hot Topic-loving teenagers in the ’00s, the studded belt has always been an odd accessory. Doesn’t it catch on everything? Isn’t it at least a little unpleasant when you put your arms at your sides? We have so many questions.