Do you remember these unforgettable ’70s trends?
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The 1970s were a colorful, chaotic, and creative decade that still sparks nostalgia today.
It wasn’t just about disco or gas shortages—it was about the small details of daily life that shaped an era.
From the décor in your living room to the toys in your hands, the ’70s left behind a legacy of quirky styles and unforgettable trends.
Some of these you may remember vividly, while others might surprise you.
Let’s take a walk through memory lane and see which ones bring back the strongest memories.
Bright orange or lime-green shag carpets were a staple of many living rooms, turning every step into a soft adventure.
They looked stylish at first but quickly proved to be a vacuum’s worst nightmare.
Before online custom tees, iron-on transfers at the mall let kids and teens wear their favorite slogans or cartoons proudly across their chests.
They didn’t last long in the wash, but for a while, they made you feel like the coolest kid around.
Waterbeds promised luxury and fun, though they often brought seasickness and the occasional leak.
Owning one meant you were on the cutting edge of ’70s living.
This hot-pink diet soda was marketed heavily to women and became a roller-rink favorite.
While the taste was unique, Tab carved out a lasting spot in ’70s culture.
Long before social media, Tiger Beat was where teens turned for posters and pinups of stars like Shaun Cassidy and Andy Gibb.
Bedrooms and lockers were covered in its glossy pages.
Mood rings claimed to change color with your emotions—but really shifted with your body temperature.
Still, they were a must-have accessory for kids and teens.
Wacky Packages turned everyday products into parody trading cards.
They made kids laugh and annoyed parents, but became an iconic collectible of the decade.
Macramé took over homes in the ’70s, with plant hangers, wall hangings, and even clothing all hand-knotted in earthy tones.
It was the DIY craze of its time.
The wall phone in the kitchen was the center of household communication.
With its long cord stretched into the hallway, it gave teens a little privacy—until a parent picked up the extension.
Colored toilet paper matched sinks, tubs, and wallpaper.
It looked stylish but wasn’t always kind to plumbing systems!
Source: Facebook / A Little Slice of Vintage Life
Before cheap international calls, airmail letters on thin blue sheets were the way to stay in touch across oceans.
Made popular by the TV show Zoom, Ubbi Dubbi gave kids a way to speak in “code” that left adults scratching their heads—at least for a little while.
Truckers and hobbyists alike used CB radios with handles and phrases like “10-4, good buddy!”—a trend fueled by pop culture hits like Convoy.
Adding playing cards to bike spokes gave kids that motorcycle sound, while banana seats and tall handlebars made you king of the block.
Source: Facebook / Lc Ross
Record players with built-in speakers and K-Tel albums full of chart-toppers were the soundtrack of the ’70s.
They brought music into every bedroom and basement.
Source: Reddit / jemist101
Feathered hair needed a pocket comb tucked in the back pocket, while tube tops became the casual fashion statement of the decade.
Tube socks with stripes often completed the look.
Weebles, Pet Rocks, and latch hook rug kits were all ’70s staples.
They may seem silly now, but they defined a generation’s childhood.
Families collected S&H Green Stamps to redeem for household goods.
It often took ages to fill a book, but the payoff was part of the fun.
Changing the channel meant getting up and twisting the dial through all six available stations.
And when the broadcast ended, so did your night.
Source: Reddit / DasSassyPantzen
The 1970s weren’t just a decade—they were an attitude.
From shag rugs to CB radios, it was a time of creativity, fun, and plenty of quirks that still make us smile.
Read next:
What about you? Did you have a waterbed, a wall phone, or a prized Tiger Beat poster? Drop a comment below and share your favorite ’70s memory with The GrayVine community.
It wasn’t just about disco or gas shortages—it was about the small details of daily life that shaped an era.
From the décor in your living room to the toys in your hands, the ’70s left behind a legacy of quirky styles and unforgettable trends.
Some of these you may remember vividly, while others might surprise you.
Let’s take a walk through memory lane and see which ones bring back the strongest memories.
he 1970s brought bold styles, colorful fads, and cultural shifts that still spark nostalgia today. Image Source: YouTube / Rhetty for History.
Shag carpeting: The fuzzy floor fad
Bright orange or lime-green shag carpets were a staple of many living rooms, turning every step into a soft adventure.
They looked stylish at first but quickly proved to be a vacuum’s worst nightmare.
Iron-on T-shirts: Fashion made personal
Before online custom tees, iron-on transfers at the mall let kids and teens wear their favorite slogans or cartoons proudly across their chests.
They didn’t last long in the wash, but for a while, they made you feel like the coolest kid around.
Waterbeds: The bedroom status symbol
Waterbeds promised luxury and fun, though they often brought seasickness and the occasional leak.
Owning one meant you were on the cutting edge of ’70s living.
Tab: The pink can that started diet culture
This hot-pink diet soda was marketed heavily to women and became a roller-rink favorite.
While the taste was unique, Tab carved out a lasting spot in ’70s culture.
Bright packaging and bold marketing made this drink an unforgettable part of the ’70s. Image Source: YouTube / The Times.
Also read: A colorful walk through the 1970s: Photos that reflect a simpler time
Tiger Beat: The teen idol magazine
Long before social media, Tiger Beat was where teens turned for posters and pinups of stars like Shaun Cassidy and Andy Gibb.
Bedrooms and lockers were covered in its glossy pages.
Teen idols and pop culture moments filled the pages of this must-have publication. Image Source: YouTube / Our Nostalgic Memories.
Mood rings: Feelings on your finger
Mood rings claimed to change color with your emotions—but really shifted with your body temperature.
Still, they were a must-have accessory for kids and teens.
Wacky Packs: The silly collectible
Wacky Packages turned everyday products into parody trading cards.
They made kids laugh and annoyed parents, but became an iconic collectible of the decade.
Caption: Humor and creativity shaped this quirky collectible craze of the ’70s. Image Source: YouTube / darren1963.
Macramé: The knotty craft
Macramé took over homes in the ’70s, with plant hangers, wall hangings, and even clothing all hand-knotted in earthy tones.
It was the DIY craze of its time.
Handmade crafts brought a distinctive touch to many homes during the decade. Image Source: YouTube / @thelarkshead.
Wall telephones: The social hub
The wall phone in the kitchen was the center of household communication.
With its long cord stretched into the hallway, it gave teens a little privacy—until a parent picked up the extension.
Also read: A look back at 1970s predictions the world is still waiting on
Matching toilet paper: Bathroom décor taken further
Colored toilet paper matched sinks, tubs, and wallpaper.
It looked stylish but wasn’t always kind to plumbing systems!
Source: Facebook / A Little Slice of Vintage Life
Airmail letters: Staying connected overseas
Before cheap international calls, airmail letters on thin blue sheets were the way to stay in touch across oceans.
Ubbi Dubbi: A secret kid code
Made popular by the TV show Zoom, Ubbi Dubbi gave kids a way to speak in “code” that left adults scratching their heads—at least for a little while.
CB radios: On the road chatter
Truckers and hobbyists alike used CB radios with handles and phrases like “10-4, good buddy!”—a trend fueled by pop culture hits like Convoy.
Road culture and catchphrases made this technology a national pastime. Image Source: YouTube / Ringway Manchester.
Bike spokes and banana seats: The coolest rides
Adding playing cards to bike spokes gave kids that motorcycle sound, while banana seats and tall handlebars made you king of the block.
Source: Facebook / Lc Ross
Also read: 16 surprising yard sale finds that could be worth a fortune
Portable record players & K-Tel compilations
Record players with built-in speakers and K-Tel albums full of chart-toppers were the soundtrack of the ’70s.
They brought music into every bedroom and basement.
Source: Reddit / jemist101
Pocket combs & tube tops
Feathered hair needed a pocket comb tucked in the back pocket, while tube tops became the casual fashion statement of the decade.
Tube socks with stripes often completed the look.
Toys and fads we still remember
Weebles, Pet Rocks, and latch hook rug kits were all ’70s staples.
They may seem silly now, but they defined a generation’s childhood.
Green Stamps: The loyalty rewards of the past
Families collected S&H Green Stamps to redeem for household goods.
It often took ages to fill a book, but the payoff was part of the fun.
TV dials: Before remote controls
Changing the channel meant getting up and twisting the dial through all six available stations.
And when the broadcast ended, so did your night.
Source: Reddit / DasSassyPantzen
The ’70s spirit lives on
The 1970s weren’t just a decade—they were an attitude.
From shag rugs to CB radios, it was a time of creativity, fun, and plenty of quirks that still make us smile.
Read next:
- 15 family routines from the '70s that bring back memories
- The return of a beloved '70s fish and chips spot—guess where it's making a comeback
- These 5 classic cereal box toys could now be collector's gold
What about you? Did you have a waterbed, a wall phone, or a prized Tiger Beat poster? Drop a comment below and share your favorite ’70s memory with The GrayVine community.
