Outdated '70s Fashion Trends That Deserve A Shot In 2026

It's no secret that there are tons of old school trends from the '70s we'd love to see return. The reality is, many of them can still meet the era we're in today, despite the widespread, unpopular belief that fashion trends should stay in the past. Fashion in the 1970s was rife with self-expression and leaned heavily on palettes ranging from bold colors for patterns to earth tones that amplified texture. In this era, men and women even pulled trends from each other to build out the androgynous looks that we've seen come to life today. 

Similar to the 15 once-popular beauty trends of the 1970s, some fashion trends of the past have the potential to be just as popular, if not more, in modern day. Especially when practicality enters the conversation. For example, one Reddit thread asked why some 1970s fashions incorporated more beach looks and resort wear. "The '70s were also a big sport decade. People dedicated a lot of time to outdoor activities, so having clothes that could go from one setting to another would have practical uses," one user responded to the question. Conversations like these help open the door to usher in retro trends that could still be relevant and look good today. 

Whether cotton or denim, bell-bottom pants returned to the fashion scene on more than one occasion. The trend had humble beginnings during the '70s, when people would typically sport the style with a chunky heel or boot. Since then, they've been rebranded today as what many people refer to as flare or bootcut jeans, which have a toned-down bell shape compared to pants of the past.

If you're rocking these bottoms today, pairing this item with a paisley or animal print is a fun way to give a nod to the '70s, but there have been plenty of iterations of bell-bottoms over the decades. Many credit the '90s for its contributions to fashion, but in some cases, that era pulled from the '70s. "Women's fashion also looked like this since 1996-2009 [...] GenZ calls this 2000's fashion, but it was really just a copy of the 1970s," one Reddit user commented on a thread discussing '70s trends. 

With Beyoncé's Act III rumored to be a rock 'n roll album, a punk fashion sense is the perfect trend to bring back in 2026. The trend initially became mainstream in the '70s for defying what looked like normalcy at that time. Items such as leather jackets, chunky boots, and safety pins became staples in the closets of many as the style grew in popularity. Vivienne Westwood, also known as "The Queen of Punk", is known for helping to bring this style to the United States after its origins in London and bringing her innovative designs to life for the rock-inspired brand we see today.

Over the years, punk style has expanded beyond just clothing to bright hair colors, unique piercings, and personal tattoos that can complement a look very well. In 2026, iterations of sartorial punk expression could look like feminized versions of punk styles of the past, which leaned more masculine, as well as more high-low styling, combining different textures. This helps to break up wearing too much black, which is an outdated fashion trend that instantly ages you (for better or worse).

Nothing ties an outfit together like a belt. In the 1970s, women often complemented their dresses and skirts with a waist belt with a medium- to large-sized buckle. This not only helped to accentuate their waist, but it also made for a great method to break up patterns that many ladies would wear. 

Belts are a simple accessory that can elevate any outfit, past or present. Whether you're dressing up or down, using a chunky belt can still be the way to go in 2026, due to its versatility in style and easy wearability. The chunky belt could also be a good trend for 2026 as many consumers seek fashion that leans on convenience while also looking put together. 

What started as a quick fashion fad in the '70s has had its chance to resurge over the decades as an accessory go-to. Mood rings are colorful pieces of jewelry that change with the wearer, morphing in color and tone based on the body temperature of the person sporting them — not the mood, despite the accessory's name. Jewelry brand founder of CONQUERing, Tammy Nelson, even took to TikTok to show how her mood ring from when she was a child still worked as perfectly as it did decades prior. 

As fashion trends continue to change over time, mood rings could be the perfect staple to your 2026 wardrobe, thanks to their versatility to stay in alignment with fashion shifts. Most mood rings are also minimal enough to be worn every day to the office, and festive enough for a night out with friends.