How to Find the Perfect ‘70s Dress
Hippie folk silhouettes, XXL florals, and psychedelic prints? Yes, ‘70s fashion is definitely having a revival this season. As a symbol of liberation for both women’s and non-gendered fashion, the 1970s style has left a mark on our wardrobes today through seriously fun pieces. At Vestiaire Collective, this major period in fashion history never ceases to inspire us, so we love that it is back and better than ever. Through this guide, we will give you tips on how to choose a decidedly bohemian dress, no matter the occasion, from weddings to music festivals to evenings with friends. Here is a selection of the most beautiful second-hand dresses for women to invest in without delay, so you can channel the spirit of this groovy moment in history.
The psychedelic print dress
Totally inseparable from ‘70s fashion, the psychedelic print is largely inspired by wallpaper and other tapestry motifs. And it’s slowly but surely invading all the pieces in our summer wardrobe, bringing a dose of fun back into our lives. How to best adopt this look? Minimalists can opt for printed accents or accessories, but psychedelic prints are truly best worn all-over on a long-sleeved wrap dress or a maxi dress with thin straps. This is a statement print that will hypnotise everyone who looks at you. Available in a range of colours from pastel to bright and vivid, we can't get enough of these cheerful patterns.
It's impossible to escape the Woodstock wave that is sweeping through the collections of the greatest designers. At Pucci, this print has become the signature of the Italian luxury house and will truly never go out of style. Find our selection of Emilio Pucci dresses and other equally desirable brands on Vestiaire Collective and harness your seductive potential for a stylish summer. Second-hand has never been so sunny and magnetic!
The angel sleeve dress
For dresses with a lush and flowy cut, the "angel" or "bat" sleeve is making a flamboyant return. This lightweight and breezy dress features full or cropped sleeves and allows you to move freely while ensuring an elegant look. Wear it in a monochrome colour, like pistachio green, or a cool aquamarine blue. This dress can be found in midi or maxi length, with a drape that accompanies your every step, for an even more sophisticated look. The angel sleeve dress is ideal for an event where chic is the order of the day, so let the wedding season begin!
Inspired by the ‘70s, this original sleeve has been updated perhaps most notably by the Australian brand Zimmermann. In their latest 2022 cruise collection, we soak in sunny, colourful dresses that evoke holidays and will immediately make you dream of travel. Find Zimmermann's second-hand creations on Vestiaire Collective, and opt for a dress with batwing sleeves for the most beautiful and eco-responsible way to welcome the summer of 2021.
The crochet dress
The crochet dress, a key trend in the ‘70s, is now experiencing a renaissance. Following in the footsteps of the DIY craze that has swept the globe in recent years, this light, openwork knit has a vintage feel that transports us straight to the sun-soaked milieu of Brigitte Bardot’s Saint-Tropez. Worn next to the skin, and always super breathable, this macramé dress embodies the sultry sexiness of the boho-folk era. Commonly found in patchwork, neutral colours or a multicoloured pattern, crochet dresses have proven to be a favourite of celebs like Rihanna and Beyoncé. And with a pre-loved crochet dress from Vestiaire, you can slip into one as easily as a dream.
Ella Emhoff, Kamala Harris’s step daughter and new fashion icon of generation Z, swears by the ‘70s era and is giving crochet the cool notoriety it deserves by posting her own creations on Instagram. The Vestiaire Collective selection has seen multiple iterations of this beloved design recently, such as a babydoll version from Anna Sui or a maxi dress from Gabriela Hearst, if you’d like to support a designer who advocates for environmental sustainability. Style your pre-loved crochet dress with a picnic basket and a pair of oversized white sunglasses to reproduce Jane Birkin's iconic look for a stylish start to the summer.
The glamour dress
Outside of the hippie fashions of the day, the ‘70s had a penchant for sparkle and shine. The ultra-sensual glamorous dress was an iconic look of the decade, which saw the rise of the female liberation movement, and the championing of pacifist ideals. Fast forward a few decades and the glamourous dresses of the ‘70s are now perfect vintage looks as a dress for men or women, and one of the most glam ways to express your style and personality.
For a look as classic as Farrah Fawcett's iconic blow-dry, the glamorous ankle-length dress transforms you in an instant. In terms of colour, carmine red, midnight blue or intense black are essential but dare to use lamé or sheer fabrics to add a seductive spin. For those with a flair for drama, put the emphasis on luxury accessories and sky-high pumps. If you want true ‘70s style, there’s no such thing as too much! You can even make waves like Bianca Jagger did during her Le Palace days — the famous Parisian nightclub of the day — and adopt a monochromatic look in immaculate white for a statement outfit that combines audacity and sophistication.
At Vestiaire Collective, you have a trove of riches to choose from for any event where elegance is a must. Be ready for the next Studio 54 inspired party by browsing our selection of glamorous second-hand dresses, and discover the refined treasures that our global community shares everyday on the app.
The prairie dress
The ‘70s were famed for the "Belle des Champs" look, also known as the prairie dress. In the modern-era, the country dress is back in fashion, largely bolstered by the film Little Women in 2019. Often made from plain or floral print cotton, this dress features a long and flouncy skirt and English embroidery or a frilled collar to evoke simpler times. If you’d like to create a more contemporary look, you can pair yours with rope sneakers and chunky gold jewellery.
For a picnic, a garden party, or even a wedding dress, this incomparably fresh dress is the most popular look of the summer. This season, get ready to see it everywhere: Alexander McQueen, Dôen and Love Shack Fancy all have their own designs. But don’t think this look will fade away after the summer. This dress has been around for centuries and we expect it to stay in fashion for many years to come. To adopt the look today, all you have to do is go to Vestiaire Collective and join us in more responsible consumption by choosing pre-loved prairie dresses.
The cotton dress
One of the softest and most effortless pieces to wear, the cotton dress really plays the comfort card. Cotton comes in all sorts of patterns. Whether you prefer flashy monochromes, Indonesian batik prints, or tie-dye, this dress is extremely versatile. Cotton is a soft, breathable fabric that combines cool with casual, which is perfect for a summer when the heat is at its peak. In keeping with much-loved oversized fashion, you can choose one size up for even more comfort and freedom.
To help change the face of fashion and minimise your impact on the planet, choose organic cotton, which is much less polluting than standard cotton. It’s better for the earth, as well as for the farmers who harvest the raw material. Don’t make the mistake of thinking organic has to be more expensive. By buying pre-loved on Vestiaire you can dress for less, while also helping out the environment. At Vestiaire we have something for every taste and budget. Whatever your personality and lifestyle, the cotton dress is going to be your favourite go-to for those hot summer months.
The exotic print dress
Directly inspired by traditional clothing from different cultures around the world, the exotic dress is one of our ‘70s inspired must-haves of the moment. For a bold piece that harkens back to the days of hippie van-living, try a tropical print variation that is reminiscent of Gauguin's colourful paintings. This motif is beloved everywhere, and you can wear it just as easily in the city as on the beach.
In the ‘70s people were fascinated by East Asian culture and the fashions of the day were a reflection, with the use of colours like mint green, pomegranate pink and turquoise blue. It seems the fashion world didn’t end its love affair with East Asian in the ‘70s, however. Just take a look at the dress that nearly broke the internet when J.Lo wore it to the Grammys in 2000. Known alternately as the ‘Jungle Dress’ and the ‘Naked Dress’, the piece was designed by Donatella Versace as an homage to the tropics. Just like a good Fashion Activist, Jennifer Lopez has continued to wear the iconic dress throughout the decades, as recently as 2020. True fashion never goes out of style.
The caftan dress is another exotic-inspired model. Long and loose-fitting, this embroidered beauty is perfect for the beach. A must-have for both men and women, the caftan has been worn by some of the greatest style-makers across several generations, from Jim Morrison to Catherine Deneuve to Yves Saint Laurent and Romy Schneider. For contemporary versions of the caftan dress, browse beautiful second-hand styles from Missoni, Max Mara or Valentino on Vestiaire Collective.
The minidress
The ultra-short minidress infuses our wardrobe with the freedom that was so characteristic of the 1970s. For a babydoll look like Courrèges, or for the femme fatale effect that Yves Saint Laurent liked to celebrate, the minidress is a firm summer staple that will never go out of style.
There’s no shortage of minidress variations, so you are bound to find the look that matches your style. Leather, silk and cotton are all popular minidress fabrics. Sad about having to stash your dress away when the leaves start changing colours? Don’t be. The minidress is a surprisingly transitional piece. Layer a pair of tights underneath and throw a bomber on top and you have yourself a multi-season look.
To strengthen your commitment to the planet like a true Fashion Activist, you can buy your second-hand mini-dress on Vestiaire Collective. It’s a great way to make a positive impact on the environment, while scoring a great deal for yourself.
The disco dress
Straight off the boogie dance floors of the seventies, the disco dress seems to have travelled through time. More than just a musical revolution, the disco wave turned fashion upside down and still leaves its mark on today's collections. It contains just the right amount of optimism that was so dear to this forward-looking decade.
The ‘70s disco dress is where glitter meets gold while remaining tasteful. This lively piece works like a ray of sunshine for your mood, and will give your summer wardrobe a groovy vibe. Vestiaire Collective offers a large selection of genuine vintage dresses and this style is one to look out for because the disco dress is dazzling many catwalks this season. Isabel Marant offers a bodycon style in coloured lamé, and Paco Rabanne adorns its designs with supremely chic gold sequins for a very glamorous look. Once you see how much fun a disco dress can be, you’ll be wearing your glistening vintage dress day and night.
The bohemian dress
The ‘60s saw civil rights movements flourish around the globe, from Martin Luther King’s March on Washington in ‘63 to the May ‘68 events in France. The idealism of the ‘60s gave way to the optimism of the ‘70s which was reflected in the fashion trends of the decade, including the quintessential bohemian dress.
The hippie wave gave birth to floral prints, carrying the messages of ‘Flower Power’ and ‘Peace and Love’. Directly inspired by this era, the bohemian dress is at the heart of ‘70s inspired fashion. An everyday ally, and ideal for a sunny afternoon or an evening out, it has truly become a wardrobe essential. Colourful, embroidered and vivacious, bohemian dresses generally come in a maxi length for a comfortable and airy style — ideal for a day spent protesting, it turns out.
Spotted on the spring-summer 2021 catwalks, this dress is proving itself to be an evergreen staple piece. Celine offers a minimalist’s dream dress whereas the ethically-minded Munzugu Sisters play with embroidery, and Wiggy Kit keeps it boho-chic.
Don't have this basic in your summer wardrobe yet? Don't wait any longer to scoop up yours. On the Vestiaire Collective app, you'll find a multitude of second-hand styles. The idealistic generation of the ‘70s didn’t pass up their moment to make an impact on the world. You can make your impact by shopping second-hand. It's an opportunity for you to renew your commitment and your values for a healthier planet.
‘70s fashion is definitely experiencing a resurgence this summer. This decade of extravagance and optimism has inspired many great designers who put ‘70s style at the heart of their creations, from then until now, and likely well into the future.
The dresses from the ‘70s are indispensable when facing the summer heat. This great feminine classic never ceases to amaze us with all it can do. Mini or maxi, printed or sequined, in crochet or cotton, it checks all of our boxes for a dream dress that will last.
Just like how the ‘70s generation saw a return to earth-friendly values with wide interest in organic alternatives to industrial agriculture, the 21st century is proving to have a similar zeal for sustainability. In 2021, the best way to prove your love to the planet is to forgo fast-fashion and instead shop second-hand. At Vestiaire Collective, you’ll find an infinite number of ‘70s and ‘70s inspired dresses to match your style and personality. By avoiding buying new, which requires a considerable amount of natural resources to produce, you can reduce your carbon footprint significantly. And by making it a habit, you can practically change the world.
Follow the Fashion Activist movement by buying less in general. By choosing less but better clothing you’re shopping responsibly without sacrificing your style. Building a circular wardrobe is easy with the Vestiaire app. With over 10 million members, we make it fun to buy and sell pre-loved clothing so that you can always have fresh fashions, like great ‘70s dresses, without harming the Earth.