How to Create Perfect '70s Outfits For Dolls

How To Create The Perfect 1970s Outfit For Your DollWe've put together the ultimate resource guide to recreating the quintessential fashion favorites of the 1970s for your 18-inch doll such as American Girl®. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our style guide on 5 Spring Trends To Sew For Your Doll.  

Giveaway Alert: Scroll to the bottom of the page to enter our American Girl® Julie™ Doll Giveaway!

We all know trends come in cycles, and suddenly the crop tops, scrunchies, or "mom jeans" of decades past are back in style once again. One fashion era that is always being reinterpreted by trendsetters of today is the style of the 1970s. 

Key features that are so fun to play around with in design are:

  • bell bottom silhouettes
  • fitted and/or cropped tops such as peasant blouses
  • wide lapels
  • midi and maxi length skirts
  • fabrics and prints such as paisley, crushed velvet, crochet, and bold colorful florals

Find the entire collection of 1970s Patterns For 18-inch Dolls on Pixie Faire. 

The 1970s Color Palette 

Pantone™ 1970s Colors

According to Pantone®, economic recession and eco-consciousness were top of mind during the '70s, and this influenced consumers taste in colors by drawing them to more muted, earthy tones. Similar colors have been popping up consistently across runways and trend reports over the last few seasons, as people today look for grounded and more minimalistic colors. 

1970s Dresses

1970s Dress Patterns For 18-inch dolls

     

1970s Chevron Sun Dress Crochet Pattern by Little Abbee

Sweet 70s Dress from Keepers Dolly Duds

Convergence Dress from DKinley Designs

All Occasion Dress from 123 Mulberry Street

Create a cute spring dress for your doll that channels a '70s vibe by choosing a pattern with classic details of the decade, like a wide pointed collar, or pick groovy fabrics and accessories to add '70s flare to a more versatile and classic dress pattern. 

 

1970s Spring Separates

1970s Skirts, Pants, and Tops Pattern For 18-inch dolls

  1970s Flounce Blouse and Skirt 18-inch doll clothes pattern 1970s Pantsuit and Jumper 18-inch doll clothes patternsPeasant Blouse Pattern For 18-inch dollsGenniewren Philippa Skirt Pattern

Eclectic Closet Flounce Blouse & Skirt from Flossie Potter
Study Hall Pantsuit and Jumper from Keepers Dolly Duds
Peasant Crop Top from Flossie Potter
Philippa Skirt from Genniewren Designs
These great tops, pants, and skirts can be made into authentic '70s ensembles, 

 or be mixed-and-matched with other wardrobe staples to create more contemporary looks. 

70s Spring Shoes and Accessories

1970s Accessories Patterns For 18-inch dolls

18-inch doll shoes pattern espadrilles sandals    Fringe Bag Pattern For 18-inch Dolls    18-inch doll shoes pattern Dollistock sandals 1970s Accessories For 18-inch dolls

Platform T-Bar Espadrilles from Miche Designs
Killara Fringe Bag from Liberty Jane Clothing
Dollistocks from QTπ Doll Clothing
'60s and '70s Accessories from Flossie Potter
These shoes and accessories are the perfect way to add a hint of the 1970s to an outfit, or to go the extra mile and create an authentic look.

 

1970s-inspired Pattern Hacks

Hip-Hugger Bell Bottoms and Maxi Skirt Pattern Hack

Sew the perfect Hip-Hugger Maxi Skirt using this Pattern Hack of the Hip-Hugger Bell Bottoms from Flossie Potter.

1970s Bell Sleeve Tutorial

Add a fun and frilly Bell Sleeve detail to your favorite t-shirt using this pattern hack of the T-shirt Variations Pattern from Liberty Jane Clothing.

 

ENTER TO WIN An American Girl® Julie™ Doll!

To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!

Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the Julie™ doll. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire. Not endorsed by or affiliated with American Girl®. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us - which '70s trend is your favorite! Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win one Julie™ Doll!

Thanks, everyone!

The Pixie Faire Team

 


100 Comments

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September 03, 2022

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September 01, 2022

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Denise
Denise

November 16, 2021

The seventies look that was my favorite was the hip huggers with a peasant blouse in a small floral print.

Teresa
Teresa

April 21, 2020

I love the denim cut off shorts with the frayed hems, crop tops and bright floral fabrics. I also love the platform shoes! 😁

Teri Stevens
Teri Stevens

April 13, 2020

Graduating in the early 70’s, I was all about the jumper!

Jael
Jael

April 13, 2020

I like the bell bottoms the best. Thanks for the giveaway!

Linda Biorge
Linda Biorge

April 13, 2020

This is an amazing contest! Thank you for the memories!

Linda Biorge
Linda Biorge

April 13, 2020

Brings back such great memories! Love this doll and her amazing outfit! Would love this doll for my youngest granddaughter. She loves looking at pictures of me in my 70’s clothes!

Linda Biorge
Linda Biorge

April 13, 2020

I loved my 70’s clothes! I was a young mother of 3 little girls. I would love for my youngest granddaughter,12, to experience the joy of this amazing doll and her 70’s clothes.

Cheri
Cheri

April 12, 2020

My favorite is the bell bottom pants and skirt. I remember wearing these and love the Julie doll and her style!

Linda Smith
Linda Smith

April 12, 2020

I wore bell bottoms & peasant blouses. So comfortable in the California sunshine.

Megan
Megan

April 12, 2020

I love how all the 70’s styles were very free, breezy, and comfortable. <3
~ Megan

Beth
Beth

April 12, 2020

Grew up in the 70’s…brings back memories!

Karla Icenogle
Karla Icenogle

April 12, 2020

I love all the 70’s outfits.

Melissa Thorne
Melissa Thorne

April 12, 2020

Like the dolls outfit

Nora R
Nora R

April 11, 2020

I love bell bottoms! They feel so cool and freeing. You feel like you are floating not confining like skinny jeans.

Heather S.
Heather S.

April 11, 2020

I love the Bell Bottoms and the floral shirts.

kathy
kathy

April 11, 2020

The bell bottoms..takes me back to my “teen” years.

Rhonda
Rhonda

April 11, 2020

Thank you!

Chantal
Chantal

April 11, 2020

I like the bell bottoms and the tie dye shirts.

Lesley from NE
Lesley from NE

April 11, 2020

My favorite 70’s trend is fringe! 😊

Sandra
Sandra

April 11, 2020

I love the crop tops and halter tops, and jean maxi skirts! Yeah, those 70s were awesome!

Kelly P
Kelly P

April 11, 2020

Julie is such a cool character. You have so many wonderful 1970’s patterns that will look so authentic on this doll. I especially love the Peasant Crop Top pattern. Radical!

Jacqueline
Jacqueline

April 11, 2020

:Love this doll!

Johnnie
Johnnie

April 11, 2020

I remember wearing both bell bottoms and halter tops. Both very 70’s.

Maureen Isaman
Maureen Isaman

April 11, 2020

Being a young adult of that time I love everything about the clothes and looks of the 70’s. Now all I need is a Julie doll to dress! Thanks for providing such great patterns for us all to enjoy!!

Patsy
Patsy

April 11, 2020

Love the tops, bell bottom pants and the Maxi. lao the outfit Julie is wearing. My Granddaughter has Julie!

patricia ann
patricia ann

April 11, 2020

love the designs so many memories can you do them in the hoop?

Pat Morton
Pat Morton

April 11, 2020

I lived in Boston during the 70s, I wore the hip hugger pants and peasent topper, everywhere. I would love to have the doll to dress and sew for. Thanks for having this contest.

Francine Cach
Francine Cach

April 11, 2020

I remember wearing bellbottom pants with hip hugger waists, miniskirts, daisy printed fabric and “flutter sleeves.” Does anyone remember “hot pants” shorts?

Katie
Katie

April 11, 2020

Peasant tops!!

aaron
aaron

April 11, 2020

Bell bottom jeans are really a lot of fun. I like the 70’s fashion.

Linda Lee
Linda Lee

April 11, 2020

My favorite outfit was a pair of hip hugger bell bottoms that had grommet/eyelets down the outside seams and a turtleneck bodysuit with it and a ‘war is not healthy’ necklace and Jovan musk cologne – also I liked to fringe the bottom of my bell bottom jeans

Elizabeth Murphy
Elizabeth Murphy

April 11, 2020

The peasant blouse because it was so comfortable

Jocelyne
Jocelyne

April 11, 2020

I grew up in the 70s and love the look on the AG dolls

Amanda Martin
Amanda Martin

April 11, 2020

Peasant dresses and granny boots!

Carrie
Carrie

April 11, 2020

The 70 colors are my favorite. It reminds me of my childhood.The yellows, browns and oranges (none of which I like regularly) bring back so many memories.

Sandee
Sandee

April 11, 2020

Maxi skirts and dresses, I made my own in high school in the 70’s!

Jan Taylor
Jan Taylor

April 11, 2020

They are so like the clothes I wore growing up. I love them!

Arlana Cisinski
Arlana Cisinski

April 11, 2020

Brings back memories…I loved the vests and bell bottoms most!

Margaret
Margaret

April 11, 2020

Vests and bell bottoms were my favorites!

Dena M
Dena M

April 10, 2020

I like the peasant dresses from the 70’s because I remember wearing them when I was a kid.

Adrionne
Adrionne

April 10, 2020

Long hair with flower crowns

Mary
Mary

April 10, 2020

I loved the fun and colorful print fabrics…and still do!

Susan Y.
Susan Y.

April 10, 2020

Flower patterns, hiphuggers, and the long hairstyles are my fave 70s trends! (And glam rock, but that isn’t really relevant here!)

kathleen
kathleen

April 10, 2020

Loved the 70’s flower power printed clothes!

Lori
Lori

April 10, 2020

I love all the looks of 70 fashion.. I especially love the shoes and accessories..Keep those patterns coming.. Thank you stay safe..

Crystal Drummond
Crystal Drummond

April 10, 2020

Absolutely love your pattern selection.

Karen Ann
Karen Ann

April 10, 2020

Awwesome 70’s Looks

Deb
Deb

April 10, 2020

I am partial to the bell bottoms. I remember wearing pants and a top similar to those the doll is wearing.

Marilyn Nawara
Marilyn Nawara

April 10, 2020

Really wide bell bottoms are my favorite — tie-dye t-shirts are great too.

Nancy
Nancy

April 10, 2020

I like the peasant blouses. They are pretty and comfortable. Had many in the 70’s.

joyce
joyce

April 10, 2020

definitely the bell bottoms

Shirley
Shirley

April 10, 2020

t like the bell bottoms and the the crop top.

Bonny
Bonny

April 10, 2020

I like the crop top and bell bottoms. That was what I loved in my senior year of high school.

Sho Landis
Sho Landis

April 10, 2020

Bell Bottoms, long, granny skirts and peasant blouses! It just doesn’t get any better than that for your dolls!

Charity
Charity

April 10, 2020

I love the weird mix of colours and patterns from the 1970s. I’m also a big fan of the breezy peasant-style clothes that are just so comfy and looks good on anyone!

Margaret
Margaret

April 10, 2020

I wish I had saved some of my favorite clothes from the 70s.

Rebecca
Rebecca

April 10, 2020

I love them Its hard to pick a favorite

Monya
Monya

April 10, 2020

I love the white breezy peasant blouses.

Monya
Monya

April 10, 2020

I was a kid in the 70’s and I love seeing all of the great patterns for this time!

Nancy G
Nancy G

April 10, 2020

The 70s trend is my favorite because I lived it!I was a teenager and I still say that the clothing was the best and most fashionable. I love the 1930s and 1940s, but the 70s is fabulous.

Connie
Connie

April 10, 2020

I really loved my bell bottoms! Fun times.

Rebecca
Rebecca

April 10, 2020

The bell-bottoms and peasant blouse will always be a favorite combo of mine.

Jelean Dokos
Jelean Dokos

April 10, 2020

Loved bell bottom jeans, the bigger the bell the better! I still have some in my closet to remind me of the good old hippie days! Thanks for the chance to enter the contest!

Pam
Pam

April 10, 2020

I love the Maxi skirts, peasant blouses, and bell bottoms as I wore all of them in the 70s.

Marta
Marta

April 10, 2020

Bellbottoms for me!

Annika W
Annika W

April 10, 2020

Please do the 1930s

Julia H.
Julia H.

April 10, 2020

Ohhh the polyester doubleknit suit. My mom wore them to work, and there is no better way to evoke the period for me.

designdreamer
designdreamer

April 10, 2020

Having lived through the 70’s I’m not sure any of it would be my favorite, but I would love to win Julie. Ok, I guess I DO have some nostalgia for it.

EILEEN
EILEEN

April 10, 2020

I love bell bottoms and flowers

Kathy
Kathy

April 10, 2020

-I love the hip huggers and all the outfits from the 70’s as I wore them!!

Cynthia C
Cynthia C

April 10, 2020

I like the hip hugger bell bottoms because it reminds me of how we all dressed back in the day.

Linda Smith
Linda Smith

April 10, 2020

Bell Bottoms and Crop Tops make me think of Goldie Hawn and Hee Haw! Love those days. Wish I still had that figure! Julie is so cute in her Bell Bottoms. She would be a great addition to my doll collection.

Estelle
Estelle

April 10, 2020

Love those maxi skirts in floral prints. Teamed with a big floppy hat!

Debbie
Debbie

April 10, 2020

I like the maxi skirt. Especially made in Jean fabric.

Sue
Sue

April 10, 2020

I love bellbottoms and “maxi skirts” I can’t wait to start making them for the dolls

Arlene
Arlene

April 10, 2020

I loved bell bottom pants but at the same time it felt weird having all that extra fabric flapping around my ankles!

Cheryl
Cheryl

April 10, 2020

Love the bellbottoms. They were always my favorite.

susan
susan

April 10, 2020

i have been searching for bell bottoms ever since they went out of style. love these patterns. relive the days of inserting triangles into jeans’ seams, and embroidering flowers on the

BonnieGayle
BonnieGayle

April 10, 2020

This is the era that my daughters were young teens. I favorite time in my life. I was also young enough to wear bell-bottom pants

Barbara
Barbara

April 10, 2020

I loved and still love paisley. I made an empire waist dress with a blue fringed shawl. The fabric was shiny and flashy. I loved that dress and wore it everywhere!.. Still have the shawl.

Sharon
Sharon

April 10, 2020

I love the complete outfit. I had a similar set of duds in the 70’s. I’d like to
make my new doll an entire 70’s wardrobe.

Leslie Koepke
Leslie Koepke

April 10, 2020

The seventies were fun for fashion! I was all about peasant blouses and bell bottoms and elephant pants! The bigger the Bell the more fun! And yes inserts! Add embroidery! And they had to drag the ground!

Sharon
Sharon

April 10, 2020

I love the complete outfit. I had similar duds in the early 70’s. It was a great time. I’d love to make more cute 70’s outfits for my new doll!

Jean
Jean

April 10, 2020

I’m a 70’s gal so I loved them all, great memories. Thanks

Gaile
Gaile

April 10, 2020

I love the bell bottoms and all the crushed velvet and paisley material used. Also the headbands and peace signs. I grew up in that time. Seems like life was calmer then.

Stephanie
Stephanie

April 10, 2020

I love the bell bottoms!! What fun!

Trina
Trina

April 10, 2020

I love the philippa skirt, it was so fun to twirl when wearing. I also love the fring hand bags.

Linda Murphy
Linda Murphy

April 10, 2020

I love the Bohemian Breeze dress and hat by Doll House Designs I made for my granddaughter’s doll . She loved it too.

Grandma Freckles
Grandma Freckles

April 10, 2020

Julie is full of fun. She reminds me of a couple of my daughters in the 70s

LuAnn
LuAnn

April 10, 2020

Oh wow – I wore those bell bottoms!! This was my era. So much fun to share with my granddaughter.

Rose
Rose

April 10, 2020

I always loved the body suits from the 70’s. Bought one last year because they are back in trend. Of course just a little harder at bathroom time. Lol

Deb K
Deb K

April 10, 2020

This was my era. Bell bottom pants, inserts in the blue jeans, mini skirts, triangular head scarves, roller skating, peasant dresses, ironing your long hair flat and straight, gogo boots, paisley fabric dresses, elephant pants with leather inserts on vests, peace sign necklaces. So many things I remember. Cool Man Peace out

Catherine
Catherine

April 10, 2020

Love the 70s patterns – so fun!

Carmelita
Carmelita

April 10, 2020

Reminds me of my young adult years. I’d love to share it with my granddaughter.

Elizabeth Smith
Elizabeth Smith

April 10, 2020

I love the bell bottoms and crop tops! Not enough for me to wear them but Julie looks great! Haha!

Andrea
Andrea

April 10, 2020

I really like bell bottoms and peasant tops!

marjorie
marjorie

April 10, 2020

I love the bell bottoms, they tended to make a heavy person look leaner as they made the eye follow down instead of across.

Mary
Mary

April 10, 2020

Love the styles of that time period.

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