This fall, turning back the clock isn’t just about Daylight Saving Time. There’s another time warp of sorts to tend with this season.
When it comes to style, there’s no shortage of designers who drew inspirations for their fall collections from the camel hues, chunky shoes, funky fringe, geometric prints and other far-out fashions of the 1970s. This retro resurgence emerged on the runways of New York Fashion Week’s autumn/winter shows earlier this year and now has found its way into retail and magazine spreads as the fall shopping season sets in.
For those who had their fill of crocheted shrink tops and polyester suits 40-some years ago, not to worry! These latest nods to the decade of peace and love maintain a modern sensibility while channeling the past. Here’s the skinny on some of the refreshed ’70s styles that you can expect to see in stores. Can you dig it?
Saddle up: The signature ’70s saddle bag is revived with rich leathers, the occasional laser cut pattern or a toggle or tassel detail just for fun. Get the look with the ASOS suede saddle shoulder bag ($81) at us.asos.com.
Culotte comeback: Call them culottes, gauchos or midi trousers, wide-legged pants that skim the shin — like this pair by Erika Cavallini Semicouture ($328 at Anthopologie or anthropologie.com) — are back in versatile neutrals, windowpane plaids and bold wallpaper prints.
Foxy footwear: Give stilettos the season off. Fall is all about thick stack-heeled shoes in a bunch of styles: platform and peep-toe booties, wedge slip-ons, towering boots. A thigh-high pair, like the Lachlan over-the-knee boot from Free People ($248 at freepeople.com), can be kept casual with skinny pants and a cozy poncho or dressed up with a flowing boho frock.
On the fringe: When it comes to giving accessories and apparel a throwback touch, fringe seems to be the trending choice. Find it trimming vests, covering boot cuffs, dressing up purses, outlining scarves, swinging from skirts, embellishing bracelets and lots of other places. To pull it off, though, wear it sparingly. A couple of options: suede fringed crossbody bag ($148) and suede fringed ankle boots ($200) from White House | Black Market or www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.
Fit and flare: Bell bottoms, meet the flare. That’s one of the many names designers are using to rebrand this ’70s style staple during its latest incarnation. But no matter the name, the spirit of the pant is the same: tight up top, groovy at the bottom, like this vintage drop-hem jean ($79) from Urban Outfitters or www.urbanoutfitters.com.
Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.
First Published: September 7, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
