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

April
April

April 08, 2020

Those pants! I think matching for my daughter.

Debbie siltala
Debbie siltala

April 08, 2020

Love the bell bottoms!

cheryl
cheryl

April 08, 2020

I was a teenager in the 70"s. The bell bottom pants(we called the large bell ones elephant leg pants)are my favorite. Just like the ones I used to wear!

Laurie
Laurie

April 08, 2020

Hip hugger bell bottom pants. Made my own so had a nice collection. Those were the days my friend!

Rebecca
Rebecca

April 08, 2020

I think I had a paid jacket in those exact colors.i loved it. It had a zipper front. However, it may have been my sister’s. We shared clothes quite a bit, so I’m not sure who it belonged to. The bell bottoms were a must!

Pam King
Pam King

April 08, 2020

I remember the clothes worn in the 70’s and these came close, the only thing I remember differently is the fabric.

Candace
Candace

April 08, 2020

Peasant tops and long skirts… not bell bottoms were my favs.

Debra Brindley
Debra Brindley

April 08, 2020

The hip- hugger maxie skirt and shirt are my favorites
Thank you

sharon
sharon

April 08, 2020

Ah I remember. Peasant blouses and the bell bottoms would be my choice.
Thanks for the fun memories.

Mary Gatto
Mary Gatto

April 08, 2020

I love the 70’s bell bottoms. And i like opening up the legs to make a maxi skirt!

Mary
Mary

April 08, 2020

I would like to win this,so that my roll Molly has a friend to play with

Mary
Mary

April 08, 2020

I would like to win this,so that my roll Molly has a friend to play with

Debbie Eldridge
Debbie Eldridge

April 08, 2020

I like the maxi skirts. Loved the in high school!

Char
Char

April 08, 2020

I loved the pant suits because they made it acceptable to start wearing pants to work.

JoAnn Larsen
JoAnn Larsen

April 08, 2020

I love the 70’s look — especially the hippy dippy styles. What fun patterns. I’m separated from my sewing machine right now, but I’ll definitely look closely at them when I can sew again. Julie is beautiful. I’ve always wanted an American Girl doll, and she is GROOVY!!

Michelle
Michelle

April 08, 2020

I love the dress

Laura
Laura

April 08, 2020

I love bell bottoms and peasant blouses!

Melinda Cieslinski
Melinda Cieslinski

April 08, 2020

Oh the 70’s!!! I was definitely a bell bottom and peasant top gal . . . with lots of embroidery on those bell bottoms. But you really need a Nehru Jacket in psychedelic fabric!!!! I made a gorgeous one for the lead singer in a band ;) And yes, the jewelry!!!

Ramona
Ramona

April 08, 2020

The earth tone colors of the 70’s are my favorite fashion colors and I’ve always loved peasant blouses.

Marie B.
Marie B.

April 08, 2020

I like the hip huggers,and peasant top

Cheri Haug
Cheri Haug

April 08, 2020

I was an old lady in my 30’s but my girls and I liked the long dresses.

Ann
Ann

April 08, 2020

It’s fun seeing the 70s colors and styling etc. I still have a bell bottom pants pattern that I used for myself that looks quite a bit like Flossie Potter’s! Since I got the VW Van I’ve been styling my dolls in the 70s style – it really lends itself to get togethers in the great outdoors, beachy, fun in the park, etc. type activities. I think now is a time when we need that kind of pick up! Summer is coming!

Pam
Pam

April 08, 2020

I adore Julie, she so reminds me of my high school days.

Pam
Pam

April 08, 2020

I adore Julie, she so reminds me of my high school days.

Anne
Anne

April 08, 2020

She is beautiful!

Lorie
Lorie

April 08, 2020

I like alot of the 70s styles. Reminds me so much of the fun times we had back then. But I especially love the Chevron Maxi Dress

Lynda Gaddy
Lynda Gaddy

April 08, 2020

I love the peasant styles from the 70’s

Sandy
Sandy

April 08, 2020

I loved the bell bottom look

Judith Fisch
Judith Fisch

April 08, 2020

It was a time of my kids being young and men wearing polyester suits. I still have fabrics from that time and it would be fun to revisit and make some 70s outfits.

Heather
Heather

April 08, 2020

The flowy, flowered dresses are my favourite! And Julie is my daughter’s favourite character. These are great! Thank you.

Anne C-E
Anne C-E

April 08, 2020

The 70’s wer a time after I had ust entered the workforce as a result I was more of a modified “Mod” than a hippy. I had short but not too short skirts and a brighter palette than you show.

Pamela
Pamela

April 08, 2020

It is so fun seeing the styles that were popular when I was a kid. I loved bell bottoms. Of course there were the crocheted vests too. Fun memories.

Patricia Peterson
Patricia Peterson

April 08, 2020

I loved to swish around with my bell bottom jeans and long peasant blouses. I know my doll would love that too.

Ginger Bloomer
Ginger Bloomer

April 08, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s and I love the peasant blouses and skirts made from “groovy” fabrics!!

Leesa
Leesa

April 08, 2020

I love the bell bottoms and the skirt. Remember wearing bell bottoms and wearing short shirts. Fun days they were.

Kathy bowman
Kathy bowman

April 08, 2020

I love all these patterns and styles. I was a teenager in the 70s so it brings back a lot of good memories. I love the Julie doll my granddaughter would absolutely adore her.

Anne R
Anne R

April 08, 2020

Just wanted to say although they weren’t mentioned above you do have patterns for both the crocheted vest and buffalo sandals available! What fun!

Judy McP
Judy McP

April 08, 2020

Brings back memories. Peace.

karen weeks-kozma
karen weeks-kozma

April 08, 2020

I like the peasant blouse and hip hugger jeans. It brings back many memories.

Jeri
Jeri

April 08, 2020

My favorite trend is the peasant top. Thanks for the great giveaway!

Anne R
Anne R

April 08, 2020

I had just graduated from college when the 70’s arrived. I loved the crocheted vests (which weren’t mentioned here) worn over peasant tops, hip hugger bell bottoms with embroidered crewel designs and buffalo sandals that wore forever. Those were my weekend looks as teachers were expected to dress very prim and proper!

Sally Morris
Sally Morris

April 08, 2020

I liked the maxi skirts.

Denise L
Denise L

April 08, 2020

She is so freaking cool! My granddaughter would be thrilled to get this doll. She’s a 9 year old fashionista!

Paula
Paula

April 08, 2020

Bell bottoms!! Peasant tops!! The first time I voted, I wore red, white and blue bell bottom jeans and a white peasant top. I graduated in 1972 and the plain straight sleeveless dress was what I wore under my graduation gown. My mother made me several in different colors and patterns. The study hall pants suit brings back memories. I loved to dress up to go to school. It gave me confidence.

Flora
Flora

April 08, 2020

Hot pants and bell bottoms both I love 💘 the hot pants in spring and summer help kept my legs tan they were light weight . I even wore my favorite under graduation gown. There was 600 plus I was comfortable because of it. There was so many different styled to choose from. Extra wide bells hipsters. Button up some with a color flair in legs I had ten pairs at least.

Patricia
Patricia

April 08, 2020

i was a teenager in the 70s I graduated in 1971

Julia
Julia

April 08, 2020

I like the pop tops with fringes.

Connie M
Connie M

April 08, 2020

I just loved the peasant tops. I thought they were so feminine.

Rochelle
Rochelle

April 08, 2020

Birkenstocks are my favorite 70’s trend! I was able to pick up a pair in Germany when I visited and I’m glad that it’s a trend that has had serious staying power!

Pam B
Pam B

April 08, 2020

Julie has always been a favorite of mine!

Ruth
Ruth

April 08, 2020

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Linda A
Linda A

April 08, 2020

I love the mini skirts & crop tops. Like the Julie doll I am also a “1974” girl.

Karna
Karna

April 08, 2020

Loved my faded fringed bell bottom levis. Cropped tops with embroidery. Halter tops and dresses. And I loved my cloggs.

Amy G
Amy G

April 08, 2020

I like the peasant tops of the 70’s.

Karen kuhnle
Karen kuhnle

April 08, 2020

My girls were up on the 70s so was sewing the bell bottoms then
Boy does that bring back memories. Now it onto great grandchildren

Sara
Sara

April 08, 2020

I love the peasant blouses and maxi skirts!

Martha Reese
Martha Reese

April 08, 2020

Peasant blouses are so fun to make.

Marilyn
Marilyn

April 08, 2020

I like Peasant blouses.
Marilyn

Margaret
Margaret

April 08, 2020

I love embroidered peasant blouses and long peasant skirts still. I was teaching kindergarten and was in my thirties in the 70’s.

Joyce
Joyce

April 08, 2020

The hip hugging bellbottoms were rad

Joyce
Joyce

April 08, 2020

The hip hugging bellbottoms were rad

Taswmom
Taswmom

April 08, 2020

I was a teenager in the 70s, and I loved the long skirts and dresses and peasant tops and bellbottoms.

Karen Hawkins
Karen Hawkins

April 08, 2020

I still love the peasant blouses the most, usually paired with hip hugger jeans. Now if I was only that small again!

Lynett
Lynett

April 08, 2020

i remember the bell bottom era

Karen Krone
Karen Krone

April 08, 2020

I was a teenager in the 70’s I love all the cloths of tha era!

Kathy
Kathy

April 08, 2020

Peasant blouses are my favorite!

Tammy
Tammy

April 08, 2020

I just love sewing and crocheting patterns that remind me of the fashion when I was a kid in 60’s & 70’s. So much fun to make too

Christie
Christie

April 08, 2020

I love everything from the 70s, from bell bottoms to maxi skirts/dresses to paisley fabric and avocado green. Prairie dresses are my favourite style ever.

Johnnette Glanville
Johnnette Glanville

April 08, 2020

My favorite were the jeans we added inserts to make them huge bell bottoms.

Pamela Smolek
Pamela Smolek

April 08, 2020

I’ve wanted Julie because I was a teenager at that time. I’d love to win her!

sheila
sheila

April 08, 2020

Julie has always been my favorite and I enjoy sewing for her. sure hope I win! thx for these opportunities! stay in and stay safe, everyone!

pamela
pamela

April 08, 2020

Peasant blouses and maxi skirts!

Jean
Jean

April 08, 2020

Wow what a flashback ! I really love the dresses, they are somewhat timeless and the floral prints are fabulous.
Thank you for the opportunity to win Julie, she has always been a favorite of mine.

Lucretia Crowe
Lucretia Crowe

April 08, 2020

The maxi skirts and dresses are my favorite things from the 70s.

Susan Capps
Susan Capps

April 08, 2020

The best part of the 70’s was getting to wear slacks (no jeans!) to school.

CAROL
CAROL

April 08, 2020

I loved my bell bottoms,but they look cuter on Julie.

Alison
Alison

April 08, 2020

Bell bottoms and a fringe purse were my favorites!

Christa
Christa

April 08, 2020

These are wonderful patterns and I remember wearing some of these styles!

Laura T.
Laura T.

April 08, 2020

I think my favorite 70’s trend would be the peasant blouses and long flowy skirts. Julie is so pretty and has always been one of my favorite AG dolls.

Jacqueline
Jacqueline

April 08, 2020

There were so many changes in the 70’s that have become iconic, but I will always remember sewing pant-suits for my professional wardrobe as a beginning teacher. Of course, the pants were bell-bottoms! I was so proud, but my first principal ( a man) made it a point to tell me how unprofessional my clothes were (because of the pants). I still have that Simplicity pattern and I’m happy to have been part of that change in one small way! Can you dig it?

Rose
Rose

April 08, 2020

Oh the memories!
Can you wear a fashion trend a second time, apply to our dolls?

joan Rivard
joan Rivard

April 08, 2020

Great fashions and so true to the era

ruth martin
ruth martin

April 08, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s, my favorite is bellbottoms!

Carla
Carla

April 08, 2020

Peasant blouse and halter tops when I was a kid

Linda Stidham
Linda Stidham

April 08, 2020

Bell bottoms would have to be my favorite.

Sally DeLuca
Sally DeLuca

April 08, 2020

I was a budding teen in the 70’s and I loved the mini dresses that came with matching panties lol Also bell bottoms. I sat for hours hand embroidering one leg of them, from the ankle up!

Diane Kirkpatrick
Diane Kirkpatrick

April 08, 2020

Got my bellbottoms on right now!

Margaret
Margaret

April 08, 2020

I would have to go with the bell bottoms and the colors! Mostly the colors of the time… right up my fashion ally.

rosemary
rosemary

April 08, 2020

i love the bellbottoms.

Nancy Larimore
Nancy Larimore

April 08, 2020

Chevron dress my favorite.

Tamra
Tamra

April 08, 2020

I love the 70’s!

Barbara Peart
Barbara Peart

April 08, 2020

The 70’s! What a fun time it was. Bell bottoms, dicenim, large sun hats were all exciting to sew both for dolls and girls and moms. And the fabric was interesting also.

Sandy
Sandy

April 08, 2020

My favorite Trend is the Bohemia trend. Use to like to wear that as a teenager.

Sandy
Sandy

April 08, 2020

Forgotten from the 70’s. My “formal” that worked for every occasion. Long black palazzo pants constructed from a dressy poly fabric. White (or cream) blouse with long sleeves, fitted at the shoulders, but full and gathered at the wrist band constructed out of a sheer fabric. Neckline could be tailored or include a wide sash bow tie at neck (or a black side sash tie at waist). If a tailored neckline, a single strand of long pearls was worn.

Sandy S
Sandy S

April 08, 2020

I have always loved the bell bottom look. So fun!

Ruth Ann
Ruth Ann

April 08, 2020

I sewed a lot in the 70’s- loved the peasant tops, maxi dresses, Frye boots, and Swedish clogs!

PattyJ
PattyJ

April 08, 2020

My favorite is the bell bottoms. I was a little girl when they were popular and thought they were so cool on the teens. I couldn’t wait to wear them. By the time I was a teen; however, they were not in style. Lol

Rebecca
Rebecca

April 08, 2020

I was a 90s kid so I caught the bell-bottoms trend when it came back around!
Love seeing all the 70s fashions in shows like Columbo.

anita
anita

April 08, 2020

Favorite 70s trend was the mini skirt IMHO – LOVED the look!

kathy
kathy

April 08, 2020

being child of 70"s love those bell bottom skirts I love shirt then Iam still wae those long shirt

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