If you walked into a vintage shop yesterday, you probably saw a ghost. Not a literal one—but the ghost of Jackie Burkhart’s polyester scarf or maybe a pair of flared jeans that looked suspiciously like they were stolen from Kelso’s van. It’s wild. Even though the show premiered way back in 1998, the That's 70s Show outfits we saw on screen have basically become the permanent blueprint for how Gen Z and Millennials dress when they want to look "cool."
It wasn’t just a costume choice. Melina Root, the costume designer for the show, didn't just buy "70s style" clothes from a catalog. She went hunting. She dug through actual thrift stores and dead-stock warehouses to find authentic pieces that felt lived-in. That’s why the show doesn't look like a parody. It looks like a basement in Wisconsin. There is a huge difference between a "disco costume" and the corduroy jacket Hyde wore for eight seasons straight.
The Jackie Burkhart Effect: High Fashion in a Small Town
Jackie was the queen of the coordinated look. While everyone else was wearing dirt-colored t-shirts, she was out here in berets and fur-trimmed coats. Honestly, she was the original "it girl" influencer before Instagram existed.
Her wardrobe relied heavily on the "rich girl in a small pond" trope. You see her in a lot of high-waisted bell bottoms and fitted vests. But the real secret to Jackie’s style was the silhouette. Everything was snatched. Her outfits usually followed a very specific rule: if the pants were wide, the top was tight. This is a rule stylists still use today to keep wide-leg silhouettes from swallowing the wearer whole.
Think about her iconic pink jumpsuit or those neck scarves. Those weren't just random accessories; they were status symbols in the Point Place social hierarchy. She used color—lots of reds, pinks, and creams—to stand out against the beige and brown wood-paneled walls of the Forman basement.
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Why the scarves mattered
Most people forget that the 70s weren't just about jeans. Silk neck scarves were a massive carry-over from 60s flight attendant chic and European film stars. When Jackie wears one, she’s signaling that she thinks she belongs in Paris, not a suburb of Milwaukee. It’s a subtle bit of character building through fabric.
Donna Pinciotti and the "Cool Girl" Reality Check
Donna was the total opposite of Jackie, and frankly, her clothes are what most people actually wore in 1976. She was the queen of the tomboy aesthetic.
If you look at Donna’s most frequent pieces, it’s a lot of:
- High-waisted straight-leg denim (the "Mom jean" before it was a joke).
- Flannel shirts layered over graphic tees.
- Platform boots that gave her even more height.
- Leather jackets that looked like they survived a few concerts.
Donna’s style was functional. She had to climb out of windows and hang out on the water tower. You can’t do that in a mini-skirt. Her wardrobe reflected the rising feminism of the era—women were moving away from restrictive silhouettes and embracing menswear-inspired pieces. It’s the "Jeans and a nice top" vibe that has literally never gone out of style.
The Guys: From Hyde’s Rocker Grit to Kelso’s Teen Dream
We have to talk about Steven Hyde. He is the reason everyone owns a Led Zeppelin shirt now.
Hyde’s wardrobe was the most authentic representation of the 1970s counter-culture. It was gritty. It was stained. It was mostly denim and band tees. His signature look—the aviator sunglasses and the curly hair—was a direct nod to the rock gods of the era. He wore a lot of workwear, which is funny because the character hated work. Heavy denim jackets, thermal shirts, and those rugged boots.
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Then you have Kelso.
Kelso was the "pretty boy," and his clothes reflected that. He wore a lot of bright stripes. Horizontal stripes were huge in the 70s, especially on polo shirts and ringer tees. If you see a shirt with a different color on the collar and sleeve cuffs, that’s a ringer tee, and Michael Kelso basically owned the market on them. He also wore those iconic flared track pants and vests that looked like they came straight out of a Sears catalog.
And Eric? Eric was the baseline. His clothes were "safe." Lots of tan, lots of stripes, and those zip-up sweaters that every suburban kid’s mom bought them. He represented the average American teenager who wasn't quite a rebel and wasn't quite a fashionista.
The "Must-Have" Elements of That's 70s Show Outfits
If you’re trying to recreate this look without looking like you’re going to a Halloween party, you have to focus on the textures. The 70s were a very "touchable" decade for fashion.
Corduroy is the MVP. Whether it’s a skirt, a jacket, or pants, corduroy provides that heavy, ribbed texture that screams 1977. In the show, you see it everywhere—mostly in "earth tones" like mustard yellow, burnt orange, and chocolate brown.
The Pointed Collar. If your shirt collar doesn't look like it could double as a lethal weapon, it’s not 70s enough. The "butterfly collar" was a staple for the men on the show, usually worn under a sweater or a leather jacket with the collar popped out over the lapels.
Denim, but make it dark. The show stayed pretty true to the denim trends of the mid-to-late 70s. While the 60s were about light, washed-out blues, the 70s moved toward a darker, "raw" indigo look. The flares started at the knee, not the hip. That’s a key distinction. If the flare starts too high, it’s a 90s look. If it’s a steady bell from the knee down, you’re in Point Place.
Why the Style is Booming in 2026
Fashion is cyclical, sure. But there’s something specific about the That's 70s Show outfits that feels right for right now. We are currently obsessed with "authentic" thrifting. The show was a celebration of that.
The color palette of the show—those warm, sunset hues—is incredibly flattering on camera. It’s why "70s filters" were so popular on social media for years. It makes everything look cozy and nostalgic. In a world that feels increasingly digital and cold, wearing a thick wool sweater or a pair of heavy denim jeans feels grounding.
The Misconception of the "Disco" 70s
One thing the show got right that most people get wrong is that people didn't wear sequins to school. If you search for "70s fashion," you get a lot of Saturday Night Fever. But That's 70s Show showed us the Midwestern 70s. It was about polyester blends that lasted forever and clothes that could survive a basement party. It was "low-effort" style.
How to Build a Wardrobe Inspired by the Show
You don't need a costume shop. You just need to know what to look for at a thrift store or even modern retailers like Madewell or Levi’s, who have been leaning hard into their archives lately.
- Find the right flare. Look for "bootcut" or "flare" denim with a high rise. It should fit tight through the thigh.
- Layer your knits. A thin turtleneck under a button-down shirt is a classic Eric/Fez move.
- Earth tones only. If it’s the color of a dried leaf or a cup of coffee, buy it. Burnt orange, avocado green, and ochre are your best friends.
- The Ringer Tee. Grab a few white t-shirts with contrast ribbing on the neck and sleeves. It’s the easiest way to look like you’re ready to hang out in the driveway.
- Outerwear matters. A shearling-lined denim jacket or a brown leather bomber will finish the look.
The show worked because the characters felt like real people who happened to live in 1976. They had "favorite" pieces they wore over and over again. Hyde had his jacket. Donna had her boots. To really nail the That's 70s Show outfits vibe, you have to pick pieces that feel like you’ve owned them for ten years.
Your Next Steps for a 70s Inspired Look
If you're ready to overhaul your closet with some Point Place energy, start by auditing your denim. Swap out your low-rise or ultra-baggy "skater" fits for a pair of high-waisted dark wash flares. Then, head to a local vintage shop specifically looking for textures rather than brands—look for corduroy, crochet, and suede. Avoid anything that looks too shiny or "costumy." The goal is to look like you just spent three hours in a hazy basement listening to Led Zeppelin IV on vinyl, not like you're headed to a themed birthday party.