The 1970s weren't just about bell-bottoms or disco balls. Honestly, if you look at the photography from that era—the grainy film, the natural light, the complete lack of Botox—it hits differently than the hyper-polished influencer look we see today. People talk about the "it girl" like it's a new invention, but the babes of the 70s basically wrote the blueprint for everything we consider stylish. They had this effortless vibe. No ring lights. No Facetune. Just raw charisma and a lot of denim.
Think about the first time you saw Farrah Fawcett’s iconic red swimsuit poster. It sold over 12 million copies. Twelve million! That wasn't just a marketing fluke; it was a cultural shift toward a more athletic, sun-drenched version of beauty that moved away from the stiff, sprayed-down glamour of the 60s. We’re still chasing that look.
The Naturalism Revolution and Why It Stuck
Before the 1970s, celebrity beauty was high-maintenance. Think Elizabeth Taylor or Marilyn Monroe—incredible, but untouchable. Then the 70s happened. Suddenly, the women everyone obsessed over looked like they just rolled out of bed and went for a hike, even if they hadn’t.
Jane Birkin is the perfect example here. She wasn't even American, but her influence on Western style is immeasurable. She’d wear a simple white tee, flared jeans, and carry a literal wicker basket as a purse. People lost their minds for it. It was the birth of "boho chic" before that was even a marketing term. The 70s were about a specific kind of freedom. It was the first decade where women really started reclaiming their own image after the rigid structures of the mid-century.
The Charlie’s Angels Effect
You can’t talk about this era without mentioning the 1976 premiere of Charlie’s Angels. It changed the game. It wasn't just about Farrah; you had Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, too. They were "angels," sure, but they were also doing stunts and solving crimes. This was a massive pivot in how babes of the 70s were marketed to the public. They weren't just trophies. They were active.
Jaclyn Smith eventually parlayed her fame into a massive furniture and clothing line with Kmart, which was a huge business move at the time. It proved that these women weren't just faces; they were brands. We see that now with every celebrity launching a makeup line, but Jaclyn was one of the pioneers who realized that being a "babe" was just the foot in the door.
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High Fashion Meets the Street
Then you have the disco queens and the studio 54 crowd. It was a different kind of energy.
Jerry Hall and Bianca Jagger represented the high-glamour side of the decade. Bianca Jagger famously rode a white horse into Studio 54 for her birthday, wearing Halston. That image is burned into the collective memory of fashion history. It was decadent. It was loud. It was also deeply influential on how we perceive "nightlife" style today.
- Margaux Hemingway: She signed the first million-dollar modeling contract with Fabergé for Babe perfume.
- Lauren Hutton: She was the one who insisted on keeping the gap in her teeth, which was a huge deal because it pushed the industry toward accepting "imperfections."
- Iman: She arrived from Somalia and completely disrupted the Eurocentric modeling world, becoming a muse for Yves Saint Laurent.
The variety was the point. You had the "girl next door" like Cheryl Tiegs, who basically invented the modern supermodel career path by appearing on multiple Sports Illustrated covers, and then you had the edgy, rock-n-roll grit of someone like Debbie Harry.
Debbie Harry and the Punk Pivot
By the late 70s, the "babe" aesthetic took a turn toward the Bowery. Debbie Harry of Blondie was—and still is—the ultimate cool girl. She took the peroxide blonde trope and flipped it on its head with ripped tights and a cynical snarl. She wasn't trying to be your sweetheart.
She proved that you could be a bombshell and a punk at the same time. This was a crucial evolution. It allowed for a more rebellious version of femininity. It’s why people still dress like her at Coachella every single year. The messy hair, the heavy eyeliner, the "I don't care" attitude—it’s a direct line from 1977 to right now.
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The Misconception of the "Easy" Life
A lot of people think these women just sat around looking pretty. Not true.
Pam Grier was the queen of Blaxploitation films like Foxy Brown and Coffy. She was a legitimate action star who did her own stunts and broke racial barriers in Hollywood during a time when it was incredibly difficult to do so. She wasn't just a "babe"; she was a powerhouse. She brought a level of toughness to the screen that paved the way for every female action hero that followed. If you like Kill Bill, you owe a debt to Pam Grier.
Why the Aesthetic Is Peaking Again
If you spend five minutes on TikTok or Instagram, you'll see the 70s everywhere. Curtain bangs? That’s Goldie Hawn. High-waisted flares? That’s everyone from 1974. The "clean girl" aesthetic is really just a derivative of the naturalism practiced by women like Ali MacGraw in Love Story.
MacGraw was the epitome of the "Preppy" look. It was simple, collegiate, and focused on bone structure rather than heavy contouring. There is a reason why vintage fashion resellers make a killing on "70s-style" leather jackets and crochet tops. It’s because that era focused on silhouettes that actually flattered the human body without trying to reshape it into something artificial.
The Realities of the Era
It's easy to romanticize, but we should acknowledge the limitations. The industry was still incredibly narrow in terms of body types. While the 70s celebrated a "natural" look, that look was almost exclusively thin. We are seeing more diversity now, thankfully, but the babes of the 70s operated in a world that was just starting to open its eyes to different kinds of beauty.
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Also, the pressure was immense. You read interviews with women like Shelley Hack (another Charlie’s Angel) or Beverly Johnson (the first Black woman on the cover of American Vogue), and they talk about the grueling schedules and the constant scrutiny. It wasn't all sunshine and roller skates.
Actionable Takeaways for Modern Style
If you want to channel the energy of the 70s without looking like you’re wearing a costume, focus on the fundamentals that made those women stand out.
- Prioritize Texture: The 70s were all about suede, corduroy, and silk. Mixing these creates depth that a flat polyester outfit can’t match.
- Invest in One Great Pair of Flares: Look for a high rise that hits at the narrowest part of your waist. It elongates the legs in a way skinny jeans never could.
- Embrace the "Unfinished" Hair: The hallmark of the 70s was movement. Whether it’s the "shag" or just long, air-dried waves, stop trying to make every strand perfect.
- Minimalist Makeup: Focus on a glowy base and maybe one "statement" like a heavy mascara or a brick-red lip.
The lasting power of the 70s icons isn't just about their clothes. It’s about the fact that they looked like they were having a good time. There was a sense of playfulness and a lack of "curation" that feels incredibly refreshing in our current era of algorithmic perfection.
To really lean into this aesthetic, start by researching the lesser-known style icons like Catherine Bach (before the Daisy Dukes) or the French singer Françoise Hardy. Look at their candid photos rather than their studio portraits. You'll find that the "secret" to the 70s look was simply confidence and a refusal to be over-manicured. Visit local vintage shops or use resale apps to find authentic 70s pieces; the construction of garments from that decade is often superior to modern fast-fashion "vintage" replicas. Focus on finding high-quality denim and natural fibers like cotton and wool to get that authentic drape and feel.