These days Oscars outfits are glamorous, stylish, and very tasteful. It’s a room full of very elegantly dressed beautiful people who were all dressed by a whole team of stylists. It’s quiet luxury at it’s peak. But the Oscars looked very different in the 70s. It was still the biggest event in showbiz and everyone showed up dressed their best, but the idea of what that looks like was wildly different. It was a lot less quiet and a lot more wild and free. You still had your glamorous celebs, but you also had some wild cards showing up looking like cowboys, disco lovers and an occasional renaissance fair fanatic. The 70s fashion didn’t have the word subtle in it’s vocabulary. Everything was louder, brighter and bolder. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Dennis Hopper Went Full Cowboy Chic
Dennis Hopper showed up the 1970s Academy Awards looking like a cowboy who tied his horse just outside the venue. He really leaned into the “Western” style with his bolo tie, sideburns and a cowboy hat. We’re not exactly sure that after the Oscars he didn’t ride off into the sunset on his trusty horse. But in all seriousness, cowboy chic has come back into fashion since then. We’ve seen celebs rocking certain cowboy elements in their outfits, but it’s never been so full on, and definitely not at the recent Oscars.
Hugh Hefner Brought The Ruffles
Hugh Hefner clearly thought that a tux isn’t enough for the Oscars and decided to add a ruffled shirt to it. Because there was no such thing as “too much” in the 70s. By today’s standards that outfit is hella theatrical, some might call it frilly, and they’d be correct. But hey, it was Hugh Hefner and the year was 1970, so it was perfectly normal.
Jeanne Moreau’s Technicolor Dress Was Not Here To Blend In
Minimalism wasn’t a thing in the 70s. So Jeanne Moreau went the opposite way and wore a wonderfully maximalist technicolor dress that clearly stated “why choose one colour if you can choose them all”. Nowadays celerities prefer to go for monochromatic drama or sculptural gowns, it’s all very simple and elegant. Kind of makes you miss the 70s, doesn’t it? Just seemed like a more fun time to be alive.
Isaac Hayes Wore The Most ’70s Tux Imaginable
We’re just gonna say it right now, this outfit could only be created in the 70s and you probably had to be high at the time. A tux with contrasting blue fur lapels and cuffs, with a matching blue ruffled shirt under it. Yup, you read that right. It can’t get any weirder than that. It was groundbreaking at the time, and honestly, we think it’s still groundbreaking now. We’ll keep an eye on Oscars fashion, but we’re pretty sure no one has topped that in the category of wildest Oscar outfits imaginable.
Jack Nicholson’s Printed Shirt Was Peak ’70s Mischief
Jack Nicholson loves to bring an element of chaos to everything he does, and hosting the Oscars wasn’t any different. He chose a very busy printed shirt to wear under his tuxedo, and while it was a popular theme for shirts at the time, this kind of makes you glad that stayed in the 70s. It just looks busy and dated now. But very 70s non the less.
Michael Caine’s Glasses Were The Main Character
Did Michael Cane dress up as a hot professor to the 1973 Oscars? Those thick-rimmed glasses were impossible to ignore. They’re the type of thing you see and immediately know the decade they belong in. But here’s the thing, eyewear goes in and out of style all the time, and we’re pretty sure the if a fashion editor decided to bring these back we would’t think twice before getting outselves a pair. A pair of glasses like that can be the interesting accent to an otherwise run of the mill outfit that will transform your style from boring to eccentric.
Sonny Bono And Cher Were A Matching ’70s Moment
Is it ok to say that Cher’s biggest accesory at the Oscars were her abs? Because it’s hard to look away. But let’s focus on the outfits. So this was a time when Cher often would wear a two-piece and this time she went for a bright yellow, gold-pleated sparkly one, while Sonny Bono wore a velvet checkered jacket. They looked like a perfect snapshot of the 70s.
Diana Ross Went Dandy And Made It Glamorous
Diana Ross decided to play with menswear for the 1973 Academy Award. But she didn’t just wear a suit and call it a day, oh no she went much further than that. She wore quite an ensemble, complete with shiny fabric, a patterned waistcoat, a cravat and an all over vibe that was a mix of a rockstar and a London dandy. She looked stunning.
Cher Went Even Bolder In 1974
An outfit like this now would be fitting at a 70s themed beach party, but Cher wasn’t referencing a moment in time, she was the moment. Her Bob Mackie outfit was playful, colourful, and daring.The floral accessories only added to the whole look. It could’ve been strange on someone else, but Cher made it feel like a statement only she could pull off.
Linda McCartney’s Fur-Like Look Feels Complicated Now
It’s unclear whether that fur coat is real or fake, but we’re pretty sure Linda McCartney would never wear something like this now, considering how vigilant she is about animal welfare and vegetarianism. But it’s what was in fashion at the time. Can you even call ourself a celebrity if you didn’t make a few questionable fashion choices in the 70s?
Margaux Hemingway’s Stripes Were Loud And Proud
Stripes had quite a big moment in the 70s, and Margaux definitely took advantage of that. Her outfit to the 1976 Academy Awards featured a halter neck red and white stripy dress, that was perfectly fit for the occasion at the time, but these days would look unexpected at the Oscars. It’s something we’d probably opt for on a summer holiday at the seaside.
Diane Keaton Brought Her Own Wardrobe Energy
Diane Keaton clearly knew that glam is temporary, but personal style is forever. Her love for menswear, layers, hats and tailored pieces feels timeless and very her. She had a style of her own (which would become associated with Annie Hall) that made her look unique, like she was always unapologetically herself, no matter the occasion.
Vanessa Redgrave’s Black Dress Was Big In Every Sense
A little black dress is timeless, but what about a giant black dress? Cause that’s what Vanessa Redgrave went for at the 1978 Academy Awards. A massive long sleeve black dress. It was dramatic, 70s fashion loved big outfits and Vanessa delivered, sure, but by modern standards it reads a bit “tent-like”.
Raquel Welch’s Sparkling Jumpsuit Was Ready For A Stage
Disco vibes were strong with this one. In 1979 Raquel Welch went for a very fitted dazzling blue jumpsuit that was pure disco glamour. And you know what, we can totally see modern pop stars wear very similar things on tour. Think Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter, even Harry Styles has worn a sequen jumpsuit or two. It’s perfect for stage performances, but we would’t really see this at the Oscars now.
Meryl Streep And Dustin Hoffman Chose Subtlety
Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman might’ve looked understated at the Oscars in their monochromatic outfits. Meryl wore a white dress with a cropped jacket and Dustin went for a classic black suit with a white shirt. Their looks read absolutely timeless now. Perhaps when you’re Maryl and Dustin you don’t need loud clothes, your talent and charisma speak for themselves. You could easily see someone dress like this now, and look effortlessly chic at the Oscars this year.
The ’70s Oscars Were Messier, Bolder, And Way More Fun
The 70s were a wild time, and the fashion was strange to say the least, but we can’t help but admire the freedom of the decade. You could do anything you wanted at the Oscars. Show up in fur, sequins, ruffles or dressed as a cowboy, or even opt for something much more fitting for a seaside holiday. Everything was loose and fun and exciting and such a juxtaposition to the carefully curated ways of modern times.
