7 boomer fashion staples from the 70s that keep coming back

I was sorting through boxes in my mom’s attic last summer when I stumbled upon her old wardrobe from the 70s. Bell-bottoms with perfect flares, a suede jacket that still felt buttery soft, platform sandals that looked like they’d never been worn. And here’s what struck me: I’d seen every single one of these pieces in stores just last month, marketed as the “latest trends.”

Funny how that works, isn’t it?

The thing is, these aren’t just trends that happen to look similar to what boomers wore decades ago. These are often the exact same pieces, still in circulation, still being worn, still looking great. And there’s a reason for that: they were built to last in a way that most modern fashion simply isn’t.

After spending years analyzing numbers and patterns in my finance career, I developed an eye for what holds value over time. And let me tell you, these seven fashion staples from the 70s have proven their worth again and again. They keep coming back not because designers are running out of ideas, but because they actually lasted.

1) Bell-bottom jeans

Remember when I found a pair of my mom’s original Levi’s bell-bottoms in her attic? I tried them on as a joke, and honestly, they fit better than half the jeans I’d bought that year.

There’s something about bell-bottoms that refuses to stay in the past. Every few years, they reappear on runways and in stores, and every time, people act surprised. But here’s the thing: they keep coming back because they actually work.

The silhouette is flattering on most body types, balancing out the hips and creating a long, lean line. Plus, those original pairs from the 70s were made with heavyweight denim that could survive decades of wear. Compare that to the jeans I buy now that start pilling after a few washes, and you can see why vintage bell-bottoms are worth their weight in gold.

I wore those borrowed jeans to a farmers’ market one Saturday, and three different people asked where I got them. When I explained they were authentic 70s Levi’s, one woman told me she’d been searching for a pair like that for years. The newer versions just don’t have the same quality or that perfect flare.

2) Leather jackets

A good leather jacket is practically indestructible. This is something I learned from observation rather than personal experience, since I went vegan years ago. But I can’t deny the reality: those leather jackets from the 70s are still around and still look incredible.

My partner Marcus inherited his uncle’s leather motorcycle jacket from 1974. It’s been worn for decades, and it still looks better than most jackets you’d find in stores today. The leather has developed this rich patina that you simply cannot replicate with new materials.

Why do these keep coming back? Because they’re timeless. A well-made leather jacket works with everything from jeans to dresses, and it adds an edge to any outfit without trying too hard. The craftsmanship in those older pieces is obvious, the leather is thicker, the stitching is more substantial, and the hardware actually holds up.

These days, people hunt vintage stores specifically for 70s leather jackets. They know what I know: quality like that doesn’t exist in most contemporary fashion.

3) Platform shoes

I’ll be honest, platform shoes terrified me for years. Growing up watching my mom’s photos from the 70s, seeing her in those massive platform sandals, I thought they looked like accidents waiting to happen.

Then I tried a pair.

Platforms keep resurfacing because they solve a problem: they give you height without the pain of traditional heels. When you’re running around all day, whether you’re working at a farmers’ market or just living your life, that matters.

Those 70s platforms were built to last too. The platforms themselves were often made of wood or cork, materials that could handle wear and tear. The straps were thick leather or sturdy fabric. I’ve seen pairs at vintage shops that are fifty years old and still completely wearable.

Modern fast fashion tries to recreate the look, but the quality isn’t there. The platforms are made of cheap foam that compresses and breaks down. The straps snap. But find an original pair from the 70s? Those things could probably survive another fifty years.

4) Corduroy everything

Corduroy is having another moment, and if you’re paying attention, you’ve noticed this isn’t its first comeback. Or its second. Or even its third.

I bought a pair of vintage corduroy pants at a thrift store three years ago. They were made in 1976 according to the tag, and the fabric is so thick and substantial that I know they’ll outlast anything in my closet. The wales are deep and well-defined, and there’s not a thin spot anywhere despite decades of wear.

Corduroy keeps returning because it’s practical. It’s warm without being bulky. It’s durable as hell. And it has this texture that adds visual interest to an outfit without you needing to do anything else.

In the 70s, people wore corduroy pants, skirts, jackets, even full suits. It was everywhere, and all those pieces are still circulating in vintage markets today because they simply refuse to wear out. That wide-wale corduroy from back then makes today’s versions look flimsy by comparison.

5) Maxi dresses and skirts

What’s your go-to piece when you want to look put-together but feel completely comfortable? For a lot of people, the answer is a maxi dress or skirt, and we have the 70s to thank for that.

During my finance days, I never wore maxi dresses. They seemed too casual, too bohemian for the corporate world I was trying to navigate. But after I left that life behind and started writing from home, I discovered their brilliance.

Maxi dresses from the 70s were often made from natural fibers like cotton or linen. They were designed to move with your body and last through countless wears. I’ve seen vintage maxi dresses with intricate patterns and quality fabric that puts today’s options to shame.

These keep coming back because they’re versatile. You can dress them up or down. They work in hot weather and can be layered for cooler days. And unlike so many modern trends that require a specific body type, maxi dresses work on everyone.

The staying power of this style tells you something important: when fashion is both beautiful and functional, it doesn’t really go away. It just hibernates until people remember why they loved it in the first place.

6) Turtlenecks

Every few years, fashion magazines declare that turtlenecks are “back.” But here’s the secret: they never really left. People just kept wearing them because they’re practical, flattering, and incredibly versatile.

I own a vintage turtleneck from the 70s that I found at an estate sale. The fabric is this thick, high-quality knit that holds its shape no matter how many times I wash it. Compare that to the turtlenecks I’ve bought recently that stretch out after one wear, and you understand why vintage pieces are worth seeking out.

Turtlenecks were a staple in the 70s for good reason. They layer well under everything. They create clean, sophisticated lines. They keep you warm without adding bulk. And when they’re made well, like those older pieces were, they last practically forever.

I’ve noticed that when I wear my vintage turtleneck, it just looks different than newer ones. The fabric drapes better. The neck actually stays up instead of slouching down. It’s the kind of quality that made people hold onto these pieces for decades.

7) Suede accessories

Walk into any vintage store and you’ll find suede bags, jackets, and vests from the 70s that look like they could have been made yesterday. That’s not an accident. That’s quality.

I don’t buy suede anymore because of my vegan lifestyle, but I can appreciate the craftsmanship of those 70s pieces. The suede was genuine, thick, and treated to resist wear. The stitching was substantial. The hardware was solid metal, not cheap alloy that tarnishes and breaks.

Suede accessories keep cycling back into style because they add texture and warmth to an outfit in a way that smooth leather or synthetic materials can’t match. A suede bag or jacket has this lived-in quality that actually gets better with age.

Those vintage suede pieces command high prices in resale markets now, and people pay them because they know they’re getting something that will last. In a world of fast fashion where things fall apart after a season, that kind of durability is increasingly rare and valuable.

The fashion industry keeps reaching back to the 70s because those pieces were built differently. They were made to last, not to be thrown away after a few wears. When we find ourselves drawn to these styles again and again, we’re not just being nostalgic. We’re recognizing quality that’s largely disappeared from contemporary fashion.

Maybe that’s the real lesson here. The styles that keep coming back aren’t just aesthetically pleasing. They’re functional, well-made, and designed with an understanding that clothes should last. In our current era of disposable fashion, that’s becoming revolutionary all over again.