Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
The 1970s saw the founding of Apple Computer, Inc., the resignation of President Nixon, and... a lot of his-and-hers matching outfits that would get ridiculed to shreds in the street today. There are only so many belted tank tops and leopard onesies a person can tolerate, and the 70s fashion pushed the boundaries of this limit, for sure.
This post may include affiliate links.
And even though some of the trends from the flares-dominated era are making a comeback (yes, I'm talking about the groovy bell-sleeves and denim dresses), many of the 70s clothes, to put it lightly, haven't aged so well. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness."
Fashion was as diverse as ever and covered many styles and genres. The decade saw the birth of many fashion trends that are still continuing to influence the scene today - disco, punk, glam rock, ethnic, hippie, military, sporty-chick - the 70s style had it all. Jumpsuits were one of the main trends that took over the streets and it was favored not only by stylish women, but by men as well. The matching styles has also had its moment, but sadly (or, luckily?) the trend died off together with the granny-like crocheted ponchos. It's all for the best, isn't it?
#5
Michel M. Prins 5 years ago (edited)
Why is this cringy? This doesn't look that wrong, in my opinion, especially during that era. Edit: The writer changed the title of the article.
Make-up trends of the 70s were as diverse as the fashion choices. The looks varied from the natural, no-makeup bohemian look, to bright and flashy looks with the craziest colors. The disco scene had its feast with blue and green eye-shadows, intense coral blush, glossy lips and glitter. The bohemian style, on the other hand, favored earthy tones and natural looks, while the glam rock scene relished in theatrical presence.
#7
R.s. Potter 5 years ago
My mother bought matching leopard print pyjamas for all five of us one Christmas - I pray nobody ever finds the pictures.
Just the same as fashion and make-up looks, the hairstyles in the 70s were also diverse and celebrated all kinds of looks. While bangs and big, curly dos were a favorable look for many women of the decade, bohemian ladies preferred a more natural look, while disco girls went out showing off their shaggy cuts. Hippies often went for a center part with flowing waves and the glam rock scene favored big and eccentric cuts, often colored with bright hues.
The 70s was also the period when the celebrities took over the fashion scene and rewrote its rules. Bianca Jagger - social and human rights advocate and a former actress - has cemented her status as the ultimate style icon of the decade when she emerged into the dazzling Studio 54 scene. The It girl of this vibrant decade, she was the epitome of disco style and inspired many women to mix masculine and feminine fashion by combining tuxedos and wide leg trousers with furs, silk kaftans and sequins. The woman definitely had it!
#11
Laura White 5 years ago
I hated jumpsuits. If you're a women you practically have to undress to pee.
CultOfBambi 5 years ago
"Chinese science fiction Rayon acetate One-Suit" Good that they include the description cause I had no idea wtf I was looking at! To be fair, if he added some accessories he'd probably fit right in at Burning Man!
Bonni Poch 5 years ago
i guess he'll never be cold. Isn't that what they wrap you in when you're suffering from hypothermia or an accident?
Kathryn Baylis 5 years ago
When someone gives you a shiny silver padded robe, and you want to restyle it so you can shine at the disco...
Bettye McKee 5 years ago
The main problem with this garment would be making a successful bathroom run while drunk.
Vava Antar Pragya 5 years ago
The style of the space onesie looks so feminine with the high waist... maybe the female model cancelled last minute?
Carol Roeder 5 years ago
Other than the guy on the left ( he looks like a NASA reject) I've seen the othere two in the stores today!
Kim Mahood 5 years ago
Hahaha how to make a terrible outfit look great by having the time of your life 😊
Full Name 5 years ago (edited)
Buddy on the left is all alone because he doesn't have a hairy chest, a 70's must-have. The women had their own version of the hairy chest...but smaller and lower.
S. 5 years ago
Maybe he isn't alone — someone had to take the picture, right?
Load More Replies... 
Joanne Hudson 5 years ago
Anyone who designs a jump suit should have to wear it for a week using public bathrooms. A bonus would be with children in tow.
Edwin Quantrall 5 years ago
"Xan-a-dooooooo! Xan-a-doo-oo-oooooo! (Now we are here!) At Xan-a-doooo-ooooo! (*three chord guitar/drum riff*)
Patricia Swenson 5 years ago
Whenever I go out at night I ALWAYS wear my mylar thermal blanket jumpsuit.
Cyd Charisse 5 years ago
I’m so sad that they didn’t include the “opposite page” photo — that outfit sounds FAB!
Lisa-Marie Dhondt 5 years ago
For when you’re having drinks at 9pm but on for a murder spree at 11...
Singer Debbie Harry from the band Blondie defined punk style in the 70's like no other. She showed up with her sleek, platinum-blond hair, bright make up, see-through pumps and stylish, but not fashionable attire and showed everyone how glamorous punk style is done. Her sense of style was sexy, but never too raunchy or over-the-top. All in all, if there's someone that could combine femininity with punk I-don't-care attitude perfectly, it's definitely the colorful miss Harry.
#26
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
Because we all need horizontal stripes across the widest part of our bodies....Yeesh. I like the bikini, though.
#28
Laila Karppi 5 years ago
Could someone clarify the concept of a partner look? Is it some old tribe thing? Please.
#29
CultOfBambi 5 years ago
They all just seem so goddamn serene! Maybe if we all wore hideous matching knitwear we'd forget about Brexit/Trump/ISIS/environmental armageddon and calmly walk into our inevitable doom without so much as a whimper, creepy smiles pasted on our stupid faces... Probably not. Never mind, forget I mentioned it.
#30
Add New Image
What do you think ?
senderix 5 years ago
Is it bad that I really like a lot of these? Sure, many of them probably shouldn't be worn as couples outfits, but on their own, some of them actually look good!
Frank Enstein 5 years ago (edited)
I think a lot of them may look bad to people BECAUSE they coordinate too much. A lot of these styles would look good if just one person were wearing them. The coordination of the outfits is what makes them cringey. By themselves a lot of those outfits look OK. Some I would even wear today to look retro..
Load More Replies...
jknbt jknbt 5 years ago
where are the knee high tube sox with coach's shorts? everybody wore that style in 1979...
okpkpkp 5 years ago
My GF told me to lose the kneehighs, lol. That must have been 1982.
Load More Replies...
Unwelcomed Guest 5 years ago
It is my wife's dream for us to go out in matching outfits.....too weird for me
DancingToMyself 5 years ago
Ask her why? Please, ask her why would she like that?
Load More Replies...
Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
I remember the '70s very well. I never saw a couple wearing a his & her outfit!
David Viesta 5 years ago
I wouldn't wear it in public you say? I don't think I would wear this even if my house was under the sea.
Vilkas 5 years ago
Why would you want to dress exactly like your partner? "This is our relationship uniform"
Pinky Pop 5 years ago
And that's just the American ones..... I'm annoyed no British examples were featured.... SHAME ON YOU....
Lara Verne 5 years ago
40 or 50 years from now, what will people think about nowadays fashion?
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
Some of these are pretty awful but some others aren't so bad. Do the 80s, the fashion then was really horrendous!
Broken Bay 5 years ago (edited)
Some of these are still cute even though someone wearing them nowadays wouldn't fit in. Who knows, it could still come back into style.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
I really , really hope you aren't holding your breath on that one!
Load More Replies...
Effseven Six 5 years ago
Some of these are so ugly, they're cute. I have a few thrift items like that, and I still get compliments on them.
April Simnel 5 years ago (edited)
I know they tried to sell these matching looks in the 70s, but in my town as a kid I never ever saw anyone actually dressed that way.
R.s. Potter 5 years ago
It was the mother-daughter outfits that I always found creepy as all get out. Hey, let's turn you into a tiny clone of mommy!
Michel M. Prins 5 years ago (edited)
Some are actually perfectly fine even in this day and age, but it depends on the time of the year where you have to wear them. Those Christmas-like sweaters are pretty much meant to be a little overexaggerated :D
Lucy Clark 5 years ago
I LOVE most of these. Some improvements could be made to some. Im a vintage gal
Ann-Marie Bentley 5 years ago
I would never wear matching clothes with my hubby. But this is a good idea clothes that are genderless were featured.
Caesar Hermas 5 years ago (edited)
Still better than too-overdone-distressed jeans and inappropriate croptop for me :)))
Susan Coughlin 5 years ago
OMG! I knit #10 for my high school boyfriend and me. Mine were green with white stripes (Swedish weaving is what the technique was called.)
Liana Seath 5 years ago
I lost my grandmother just over a year ago and miss her so much. These photos remind me of her and what she wore when she was younger (the nicer ones lol) and she was a stylish woman. It brought back nice memories. Thank you
Ruth Beaty 5 years ago
I used to buy my jeans at a Navy surplus store as the bells were perfect and they fell just below my waist at the exactly right spot. Didn't do the matchy bit with boyfriends though, ugh. Did wear polyester double knit hotpants suits even. At least I had the legs for it then thanks to band and walking to and from school!
Diana Hansen 5 years ago
reminds me of how much i hated growing up in the 70's and how glad i am that those things hopefully will never make a come back. still gives me shudders
Michael Williams 5 years ago
I was in my 20's thru the 70's and can say the majority of these pictures are failed fashion shots. I don't ever recall anyone dressing like this let alone myself.
Bobby's Girl 5 years ago
I agree. Most of these are photos are from mass catalogs, like Wards and Sears - where photos went un-retouched and fashion went to die. Couples did not dress alike. The denim shirts actually were very popular, but nobody's jeans ever looked like that. We did not parade around in heavily starched clothes, either. OP was quite obviously not there at the time.
Load More Replies...
Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago
Wait untill 2070 and see what people have to say about today's fashion. Every era has it's own fashion and you may ridicule old fashions, but fashions have a way of returning. Might well be that in 20 years all this "Cringy His-And-Hers Fashion " is fashionable again. And is this 70's fashion really so bad compared to today's fashion?
Rose the Cook 5 years ago
Some were okay others not. Possibly what makes them "cringy" to some is the fact that Mum and Dad might have worn them.
Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
I lived through the 70,s and don't remember seeing any of this stuff. Admittedly I was in a stupor a lot of the time but still.........
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
You're very young. Blondie WAS a punk band - and they took it mainstream because people have to eat. They were all good friends with the Ramones.
Load More Replies...
Random Panda 5 years ago
I didn't even half of these cringy, looks perfectly normal for the era. I find today's fashion much worse tbh - uncomfortably tight, covers too little and what fabric there is is transparent most of the time.
R.s. Potter 5 years ago
I mainly remember the awful fabrics. That polyester double-knit stuff was just evil.
Load More Replies...
senderix 5 years ago
Is it bad that I really like a lot of these? Sure, many of them probably shouldn't be worn as couples outfits, but on their own, some of them actually look good!
Frank Enstein 5 years ago (edited)
I think a lot of them may look bad to people BECAUSE they coordinate too much. A lot of these styles would look good if just one person were wearing them. The coordination of the outfits is what makes them cringey. By themselves a lot of those outfits look OK. Some I would even wear today to look retro..
Load More Replies... jknbt jknbt 5 years ago
where are the knee high tube sox with coach's shorts? everybody wore that style in 1979...
okpkpkp 5 years ago
My GF told me to lose the kneehighs, lol. That must have been 1982.
Load More Replies... Unwelcomed Guest 5 years ago
It is my wife's dream for us to go out in matching outfits.....too weird for me
DancingToMyself 5 years ago
Ask her why? Please, ask her why would she like that?
Load More Replies... Gipsy Kings fan 5 years ago
I remember the '70s very well. I never saw a couple wearing a his & her outfit!
David Viesta 5 years ago
I wouldn't wear it in public you say? I don't think I would wear this even if my house was under the sea.
Vilkas 5 years ago
Why would you want to dress exactly like your partner? "This is our relationship uniform"
Pinky Pop 5 years ago
And that's just the American ones..... I'm annoyed no British examples were featured.... SHAME ON YOU....
Lara Verne 5 years ago
40 or 50 years from now, what will people think about nowadays fashion?
Crouching_Penn_Hidden_Teller@yahoo.com 5 years ago
Some of these are pretty awful but some others aren't so bad. Do the 80s, the fashion then was really horrendous!
Broken Bay 5 years ago (edited)
Some of these are still cute even though someone wearing them nowadays wouldn't fit in. Who knows, it could still come back into style.
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
I really , really hope you aren't holding your breath on that one!
Load More Replies... Effseven Six 5 years ago
Some of these are so ugly, they're cute. I have a few thrift items like that, and I still get compliments on them.
April Simnel 5 years ago (edited)
I know they tried to sell these matching looks in the 70s, but in my town as a kid I never ever saw anyone actually dressed that way.
R.s. Potter 5 years ago
It was the mother-daughter outfits that I always found creepy as all get out. Hey, let's turn you into a tiny clone of mommy!
Michel M. Prins 5 years ago (edited)
Some are actually perfectly fine even in this day and age, but it depends on the time of the year where you have to wear them. Those Christmas-like sweaters are pretty much meant to be a little overexaggerated :D
Lucy Clark 5 years ago
I LOVE most of these. Some improvements could be made to some. Im a vintage gal
Ann-Marie Bentley 5 years ago
I would never wear matching clothes with my hubby. But this is a good idea clothes that are genderless were featured.
Caesar Hermas 5 years ago (edited)
Still better than too-overdone-distressed jeans and inappropriate croptop for me :)))
Susan Coughlin 5 years ago
OMG! I knit #10 for my high school boyfriend and me. Mine were green with white stripes (Swedish weaving is what the technique was called.)
Liana Seath 5 years ago
I lost my grandmother just over a year ago and miss her so much. These photos remind me of her and what she wore when she was younger (the nicer ones lol) and she was a stylish woman. It brought back nice memories. Thank you
Ruth Beaty 5 years ago
I used to buy my jeans at a Navy surplus store as the bells were perfect and they fell just below my waist at the exactly right spot. Didn't do the matchy bit with boyfriends though, ugh. Did wear polyester double knit hotpants suits even. At least I had the legs for it then thanks to band and walking to and from school!
Diana Hansen 5 years ago
reminds me of how much i hated growing up in the 70's and how glad i am that those things hopefully will never make a come back. still gives me shudders
Michael Williams 5 years ago
I was in my 20's thru the 70's and can say the majority of these pictures are failed fashion shots. I don't ever recall anyone dressing like this let alone myself.
Bobby's Girl 5 years ago
I agree. Most of these are photos are from mass catalogs, like Wards and Sears - where photos went un-retouched and fashion went to die. Couples did not dress alike. The denim shirts actually were very popular, but nobody's jeans ever looked like that. We did not parade around in heavily starched clothes, either. OP was quite obviously not there at the time.
Load More Replies... Wil Vanderheijden 5 years ago
Wait untill 2070 and see what people have to say about today's fashion. Every era has it's own fashion and you may ridicule old fashions, but fashions have a way of returning. Might well be that in 20 years all this "Cringy His-And-Hers Fashion " is fashionable again. And is this 70's fashion really so bad compared to today's fashion?
Rose the Cook 5 years ago
Some were okay others not. Possibly what makes them "cringy" to some is the fact that Mum and Dad might have worn them.
Kenny Kulbiski 5 years ago
I lived through the 70,s and don't remember seeing any of this stuff. Admittedly I was in a stupor a lot of the time but still.........
Aunt Messy 5 years ago
You're very young. Blondie WAS a punk band - and they took it mainstream because people have to eat. They were all good friends with the Ramones.
Load More Replies... Random Panda 5 years ago
I didn't even half of these cringy, looks perfectly normal for the era. I find today's fashion much worse tbh - uncomfortably tight, covers too little and what fabric there is is transparent most of the time.
R.s. Potter 5 years ago
I mainly remember the awful fabrics. That polyester double-knit stuff was just evil.
Load More Replies... You May Like This FB Group Has Been The Hub For Roasting Awful Dresses, Here Are 50 Of Them (Best Of All Time) 40 Ugly Christmas Sweater Ideas That You May Need This Holiday Season
Dominyka
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Related on Bored Panda
