The 1970s were unlike any decade before them when it came to fashion. After years of following strict trends in the 1950s and 1960s, people started dressing for themselves. Clothing became a way to show who you were, not just what was popular. Vogue summed it up perfectly at the time: “There are no rules of the fashion game now. You’re playing it and you make up the game as you go.”
That freedom showed up everywhere — on the streets, in schools, and at parties. Miniskirts, bell-bottoms, and platform shoes became staples of the era. Hippie culture had pushed bell-bottoms into the mainstream, while glam rock and disco brought in bright colors, glitter, and satin. Vintage clothing from the 1940s and 1950s was also pulled out and worn in brand-new ways.
One of the biggest shifts of the decade was how clothing crossed gender lines. Styles that had once been considered strictly for men or women started to blur. Androgynous looks became a real fashion statement, especially with the rise of glam rock artists who wore bold makeup and flashy outfits regardless of gender norms.
Designers built clothes that could be mixed and matched, giving people more control over how they put outfits together. A single jacket could be worn over a vintage dress one day and with wide-leg trousers the next. This flexibility was part of what made 1970s style feel so personal.
The photos in this collection were taken by photographer AntyDiluvian and capture real girls on the streets of Boston throughout the 1970s. They are a genuine snapshot of what everyday style looked like in one of America’s oldest cities during one of its most colorful decades.
Boston in the 1970s was a city full of students, artists, and working people, all of whom brought their own take on the era’s trends. The city’s large college population — from schools like Boston University, Northeastern, and Boston College — meant young women from all over the country were mixing their regional styles together in one place.
Platform shoes are hard to miss in photos from this era. They added height and drama to any outfit, and they came in every material imaginable — leather, suede, cork, and wood. Paired with flared trousers or a short skirt, they became one of the most recognizable symbols of 1970s style.
Disco culture hit Boston just as hard as it did cities like New York and Los Angeles. Satin blouses, wrap dresses, and high-waisted pants became common going-out looks. The influence of the dance floor was clear even in daytime fashion, with shiny fabrics and bold prints turning up in everyday wardrobes.
Vintage shopping also played a big role in 1970s fashion. Thrift stores and secondhand shops gave young women access to clothing from the 1940s and 1950s that felt fresh again when styled with modern pieces. A 1950s cardigan over a pair of flared jeans was a completely normal outfit.
Hair was just as expressive as clothing in this era. Feathered styles, natural curls worn loose, and long straight hair parted down the middle were all common. Some women wore their hair in tight braids or afros, celebrating natural texture at a time when that was still a bold cultural statement.
Accessories in the 1970s were layered and expressive. Long beaded necklaces, wide belts, and oversized sunglasses were everywhere. Scarves got tied around heads, necks, and bags. Nothing was off-limits, and more was usually more.
Denim was everywhere too. Jean jackets, denim skirts, and of course bell-bottom jeans were wardrobe staples for women of all ages. Some jeans were embroidered or patched, adding a handmade quality that fit perfectly with the era’s focus on self-expression.
The wrap dress, popularized by designer Diane von Fürstenberg in the mid-1970s, became one of the decade’s most practical and stylish pieces. It was flattering, easy to wear, and came in bold prints that matched the decade’s appetite for color. Women in Boston wore them to work, to dinner, and everywhere in between.
Earth tones — browns, mustard yellows, burnt oranges, and olive greens — defined a large chunk of the decade’s color palette. These shades showed up in everything from knit sweaters to wide-leg trousers to wallpaper. They gave the era a warm, slightly rugged feel that balanced out the flashier disco colors.
Knitwear had a major moment in the 1970s. Chunky sweaters, crocheted tops, and knit vests were worn layered over collared shirts or turtlenecks. The handmade look was in, and many women actually made their own pieces at a time when knitting and crocheting saw a big revival.
Footwear ranged from clogs and sandals to knee-high boots and the ever-present platform shoe. Clogs, often made of wood with a leather upper, were a practical choice that still carried style. They were especially popular among college students and were a fixture on Boston’s campuses.
Printed fabrics were a constant in this decade. Geometric patterns, floral prints, and paisley designs all competed for attention. A single outfit might feature two or three different prints layered together — a look that would have seemed chaotic in the 1950s but felt perfectly natural in the 1970s.
The sheer variety captured in AntyDiluvian’s photos makes it clear there was no single “Boston look” in the 1970s. Preppy styles existed right alongside bohemian ones. A woman in a tailored blazer walked the same street as one in a fringed suede jacket. That contrast is what made the decade so visually rich.
Coats and outerwear in the 1970s were just as bold as everything underneath. Long maxi coats, faux fur jackets, and belted trench coats in plaid or houndstooth were popular. Boston winters demanded real warmth, and women found ways to stay warm without giving up style.
These photographs are more than just fashion documentation. They are a record of real people living through a decade of change — social, political, and cultural. The way these Boston women dressed was a direct reflection of a world that was giving them more freedom to decide who they wanted to be.
