Okay, let me tell you about diving headfirst into that whole 70s vibe for womenswear. I kept seeing these “authentic” recreations online and honestly, most looked kinda cheap. So, I figured, why not hunt down the real deal myself? See what makes a true 70s outfit sing. Spoiler alert: it was way more involved than clicking “vintage” on a website.
Actually Getting Started
First things first, I totally bombarded Google. Typed in every combo of “real 70s clothes women” and “how to find legit vintage 70s” I could think of. What kept popping up were specific keywords: bell bottoms, peasant tops, those long floaty dresses, that wrap silhouette, and those crazy thick-soled shoes. Okay, I thought, five styles. That’s my target. Let’s see if I can actually find them.
The Grind (Mostly Online)
My local thrift stores? Zilch. Like, one rack hidden in the back smelling vaguely of attic. Forget it. Switched gears to online vintage sellers. Started digging through piles of listings. Filters barely help when sellers tag everything “vintage.” You gotta look at the pics, hard.
Bell-bottoms? I was hunting jeans, obviously. Found a pair labeled “Levi’s flares.” Okay, hopeful. Zoomed in. Dead giveaway: the stitching on the back pockets. Older Levi’s have that distinctive Arcuate stitch pattern – kinda like a seagull shape. Later ones look different. Spent maybe an hour squinting at pocket seams! Finally snagged a pair with the right stitch. Score.
Then came the peasant top hunt. “Boho” stuff is everywhere, but real 70s ones? Key was the fabric weight and the embroidery. Found a few new ones pretending, but the embroidery was super synthetic and stiff. Kept looking. Eventually found this blouse buried in someone’s Etsy shop – linen blend, super soft, the embroidery wasn’t perfect machine stitching, it had that slightly uneven hand-done vibe. Felt right.
The Top 5 Styles I Went After
- Flared Jeans/Bell-Bottoms: Got those Levi’s with the authentic pocket stitching. The flare is seriously dramatic – catches the wind when you walk!
- Peasant Blouse: The linen one with the handmade-looking embroidery. So much flowier and softer than modern copies.
- Maxi Dress: Found a killer synthetic knit one in a wild geometric print. Major “dancing at a disco basement” energy.
- Wrap Dress: A polyester jersey Diane von Furstenberg knockoff. The print is psychedelic swirls, and it ties just so. Surprisingly flattering.
Platform Shoes: Scored some wooden-soled platforms with a chunky heel. Honestly terrifying to walk in. Like mini stilts! But oh so 70s cool.
Wrangling it All Together
Finding the pieces was one thing. Paying for them? Whew. “Affordable vintage” is mostly a myth unless you get super lucky. Shipping from different sellers added up fast. And the smell… oh man. The wrap dress and platforms reeked of decades-old basement. Had to spend a whole afternoon airing them out on my balcony! Vinegar soak for the shoes. What a pain.
So, Was it Worth the Hassle?
Honestly? Kinda yes. Seeing these pieces up close, feeling the fabrics, wearing them together… it clicks. You get why people are obsessed. The craftsmanship on the older stuff, the wild patterns, the sheer audacity of those platforms! It just has a vibe modern fast fashion completely misses. BUT – getting truly authentic bits? It’s time-consuming and expensive. You gotta be patient, know what details to obsess over, and maybe be okay smelling like a thrift store for a day or two. Would I do it again? Probably. My wallet needs a break first though!
