For a long time, it was popular to hate on 1970s styles for men: big collars, high waists, and tight crotches had fallen out of fashion. But the trend cycle can’t be stopped, and these once reviled looks are back, and in a big, big way.
The ‘70s expanded on trends of the previous decades. They took the bright palette of the ‘50s and the long-haired look of the ‘60s and turned them up to 11, giving rise to a variety of iconic styles. From the tie-dye and bell-bottoms of the hippie, to the ruffles and bold colors of the so-called “peacock revolution,” to the androgyny and revealing cuts of the glam rocker, every aesthetic of the era was totally groovy, baby.
But what really sets the ‘70s style apart is the fit. Every outfit was tight in all the wrong (right?) places. The men of this decade had no fear of a moose knuckle — even when fully clothed, their assets were always on display, and we’re not complaining.
Now, in the 2020s, ‘70s styles like flared pants, loud patterns, and skin-tight tops are finally back in fashion (thank you, Harry Styles!). There’s no better way to see what’s in store for the future than to look back to the past, particularly the advertisements of the era. These ads, for everything from jumpsuits to bell-bottoms to underwear, are certainly eye-catching, whether you think they’re fashion faux pas or the epitome of style.
Now, take a look back at the ads of the era to see if you’re buying what they’re selling…
abfab
Daddy/verbal/foul mouth/spanker Paul Barressi—-the videos he performed in were hot—-god that was ages ago. A few COLT stars here too. This is hysterical but historical, which is a good thing.
Diplomat
Scotty, beam me back to picture 3, I’d like to offer any assistance the guy on the left might need.
Fahd
Wow, shameless stuff; looking forward, polyester can’t be part of sustainable fashion.
Pietro D
YUK
YUK
YUK
nystrele
Have you no imagination?
Mark Behar
This is when they learned how to airbrush out “unwanted things” in photos, right??
nystrele
HA!
Inspector 57
The sixth or seventh pic… That isn’t a real rock band, is it?
greekboy
They were called The Bare Naked Ladies
greekboy
Oops, that’s The Bare Naked Laddies
Terrycloth
I remember wearing bell bottom.corduroys..walking alone I was always looking behind me the.noise from them.made me think I was being followed but no such.luck.
Godabed
thank god some of these “fashion” choices died. I love those pants that opened on the sides, they need to bring those back.
Also some of those models… I don’t understand the beauty standard. I’m glad there has been such progress with different body types, the catalogs were somewhat diverse which is cool.
Just.my.opinion
I graduated from high school in 1971, so the seventies was a very important decade in my life. Believe it or not, these photographs brought back some wonderful memories.
PapaBearPgh
I graduated in 1970, and I loved the tightness of the crotches. With the exception of a couple pics, some of these guys seemed to have lost their crotch contents. Maybe air brushing? I love watching 70’s TV shows and checking out the tight-fitting trousers, especially Mark Shera on Barnaby Jones.
Iona Lexiss
Three words: Angel Flight Pants
DBMC
Memories! Buns and bulges!
gregg2010
A number of these outfits came from the pages of the “Ah, Men” and “International Mal” catalogues. I never really knew anyone who wore them.
Invader7
Speak for yourself Gregg. I knew several men who wore the aforementioned clothes. And quite WELL I might add.
Joshooeerr
Indeed. I lived through the 70s as a very fashion-forward teen, and most of these looks were never seen on the streets. What’s funny is now when they do movies or TV set in the 70s the clueless designers go through these catalogues and pick some of the most outlandish designer fantasies for everyday characters to wear. And the hair is always ludicrously over-styled and lacquered to death. It completely misrepresents how people actually looked.
nystrele
While the fashion here is perhaps laughably whacko, I’ll take it any day over baggy jeans and butt cracks! At least the britches are form fitting.
Invader7
Quite a few of the men were HOT. Some of the ’70’s not so much. Remember Nik-Nik shirts ?
duke4172
I would do anything to see Razor Close again With Paul Barresi, Sean Carrera. Rick Pantera. Aaron Gunn and Steven Gibson!
avesraggiana
I have to wonder – instead of “Where Are They Now?”, it’s “How Do They Look Now?”
JustMuscles1
I wore many of those styles in the 70’s. I was one GOOVY dude1! Hehe
Matthewnow
I can’t stop vomiting.
ridgelineranger
I had the white jump suit, it was so tight, I often needed help getting out of it. Lucky me, there was usually a man around to help.
Peter
I recall the 70s well; I graduated from college in ’73. The ads and models look quite familiar. Photo No. 3 features three Colt Studio models, BTW. I worked in retail part of that decade, and made a fortune selling leisure suits to the masses; that paid for a new ’77 Monte Carlo, my first car. Guys were fit but not into bodybuilding as much as they are now. Hair was longer, and there was no internet to obsess over. Things were simpler, but it was not nearly as easy to be out back then. Every generation has its struggles.
mmmwah
I was a kid in the 70’s and would totally work those horoscope pants even now!!!
TedV
I love that “frayed bottom” notation in Picture 6. I assume they’re referring to the pants… right?
Max
photo 2, guy on right exposing his armpit — Bill Cable (aka Stoner). he did some Colt Studio and other naked stuff, plus acted in movies in supporting roles such as the icepick victim from Basic Instinct.
AUGUSTALLEN28
I don’t remember any of these pics from. But trust and believe the JC penny and Sears catalogs were my friend.
lkg4fun1
I believe in picture #5 that is actor Jack Scalia on the left for Ah Men.
PapaBearPgh
Sorry, but as Clara Peller used to say: Where’s the beef??
PapaBearPgh
I graduated in 1970, and I loved the tightness of the crotches. With the exception of a couple pics, some of these guys seemed to have lost their crotch contents. Maybe air brushing? I love watching 70’s TV shows and checking out the tight-fitting trousers, especially Mark Shera on Barnaby Jones.
Andyco
I’m from the UK and I saw many of those outfits worn on the streets in my small town. I wore really high waisted polyester trousers with legs so wide. in a hurry you could lift one leg up and pee out of the side without having to undo the twenty buttons on the flies. lol
Rambeaux
Unfortunately, I was on the chubby side in the ’70’s.
Tight clothing and bright patterns were not my friend, but slender guys looked great in them.
eightinchnail
Rob Schneider in The Dukes of Hazzard. Still a very good looking man these days but he sure filled out his jeans nicely back in the day.