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

Annlee
Annlee

April 08, 2020

I love the bell bottoms jeans.

Mary
Mary

April 08, 2020

Bell bottom jeans with patches!

Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina

April 08, 2020

I lived it and love it now! Would love to share it with Julie!

H Dahl
H Dahl

April 08, 2020

I remember a friend of mine having bell bottom pants in 1966. I remember the year because my father died that year. Must have been at the very beginning of the trend.

Michelle
Michelle

April 08, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s and my favorite fashion trends were hip hugger and bell bottom pants, mini and maxi skirts, body suits, and large sunglasses. The wilder the color, the better! I began sewing doll clothes when I was 10, but began sewing my own clothes around 12 and throughout high school because I was short and thin and clothes off the rack just didn’t fit right. I had very long hair and used a blow dryer to try and straighten it every day. I would love to have a Julie doll to dress up!

Anne
Anne

April 08, 2020

I love the bell bottoms!

Anne
Anne

April 08, 2020

I love the bell bottoms!

Kim C
Kim C

April 08, 2020

My favorite seventies trend is really big bell bottom pants! So fun to make I doll sizes.

Laurie
Laurie

April 08, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s and love recreating the styles from that era. Hip huggers, bell bottoms, vests, smock tops, Gunnie Sax dresses, halter tops and gouchos with boots!

Judy
Judy

April 08, 2020

Just last week did the bell bottoms. stripped burt and straw yellow stripes..From your color chart, I was bang on. In this time, sewing is definately a relaxer, and making 70s clothes with 70s music in the background is perfect. Turning my old Elizabeth into a hippy.

Leigh Anne Haygood
Leigh Anne Haygood

April 08, 2020

I love the 1970s Spring Separates… the bell bottom pants and midriff top remind me of high school years!

Juddelee
Juddelee

April 08, 2020

I still remember the excitement of wearing my first pair of bell bottoms to high school.

Bobbie
Bobbie

April 08, 2020

I thought the bell bottom jeans were cool!

Jeanne
Jeanne

April 08, 2020

I love them all .

Kathy
Kathy

April 08, 2020

Bell bottoms of course, paired with a comfy peasant style top and a granny squares vest my grandma crocheted for me .

Angi
Angi

April 08, 2020

Bell Bottoms. My Mother always said the bigger the bell bottom the better they were.

Amanda A
Amanda A

April 08, 2020

My favorite is the crochet dress!

Nancy Nolan
Nancy Nolan

April 08, 2020

Loved the glory long maxi skirts.

Maxine MacGuire
Maxine MacGuire

April 08, 2020

I still remember my favourite dress when I was 5 years old in the early 70’s. It was white with big red flowers and huge butterfly sleeves! I thought I was SO grownup and elegant! And my blue bell bottoms were my favourite pants! Now it’s all about the throwback music! Love that era!

Donna
Donna

April 08, 2020

I loved my bell bottom jeans!

Jennifer
Jennifer

April 08, 2020

I loved bell bottom jeans.

Martha Lee-Cook
Martha Lee-Cook

April 08, 2020

I wore all those clothes. Would be fun to make them. Brings back good memories.

Kathy Pellenz
Kathy Pellenz

April 08, 2020

All we wore were bell bottoms!! But there were a variety of tops—and always the crocheted vests! And the vests were either hip or floor legth with one tie in front, or the granny square shrugs! They were fun days for DIY fashion.

Barbara
Barbara

April 08, 2020

I love the long denim skirt. I actually made one back in the 70s and wore it all the time to high school!

Jackie Gale
Jackie Gale

April 08, 2020

I love the bell Bottoms. I remember my Aunt making my cousin and I matching bell bottom pants and vest.

Colleen Jaramillo
Colleen Jaramillo

April 08, 2020

I remember my favorite pair of hip hugger bell bottom jeans. They were a pale blue denim with sliver studding on the outside of the bells.
I loved my roller skates too.
The floral peasant skirts and tops were comfy.
I would love to have the Julie doll, she has the same long blonde hair that I used to have.
The Tube socks were horrendous though. ;)

Debbie
Debbie

April 08, 2020

When I was a teen ager in the 70’s, I loved To wear low rise bell bottom pants paired with a body suit and a wide belt!

pat
pat

April 08, 2020

I lovwed the bell bottom trousers.

terri
terri

April 08, 2020

The bell bottom jeans are my favorite. They were my favorite growing up as well.

Veronica
Veronica

April 08, 2020

Shift dresses

Joanne G
Joanne G

April 08, 2020

These patterns take me back to my growing up years in the 1970s.

Joan
Joan

April 08, 2020

I love 70s fashion.

Nancy
Nancy

April 08, 2020

I like them all, I wore them all, lol.

Gail
Gail

April 08, 2020

Bell Bottoms and Granny Squares!! I grew up in the 70’s, Love this style!

Debbie
Debbie

April 08, 2020

My heart belongs to the ’70’s Would love to win a Julie Doll

Terri
Terri

April 08, 2020

Bell bottom

katy
katy

April 08, 2020

Hip hugger skirt was definitely my favorite. I have thought about it many times since I passed it on. When the retro clothes came back in style in the past few years, I actually found one!!! Just adore it. I made one for my doll just the other day….Sooo cute!

Nancy
Nancy

April 08, 2020

My favourite 70’s trend we’re bell bottoms and peasant tops. One not mentioned, white North Star sneakers. I wish I had a pair now.

Armstrong
Armstrong

April 08, 2020

I love the hip hugger, bell bottom pants because those where some good days in the 70’s. The clothes, things to do, and the people were happy.

Briana reigel
Briana reigel

April 08, 2020

Bell bottoms! I had a pair of bell bottoms when i was in jr. High that i loved and wore until they literally fell apart

Phyllis Carlton
Phyllis Carlton

April 08, 2020

I love the bell bottoms pattern. Reminds me of wearing them myself

julie Wolf
julie Wolf

April 08, 2020

I was a young woman in the 70’s, made and wore and loved the granny dresses, bell bottoms to. :)

T.A.D.
T.A.D.

April 08, 2020

I always thought bell bottoms and platform clogs were fun!

Dorothy
Dorothy

April 08, 2020

Oh so many memories. Love them all.😊

Karen Hanna
Karen Hanna

April 08, 2020

I was in high school in the early 70’s and I loved my bell bottoms! And peasant tops! Clothes just seemed more comfortable then! All loose and comfy! I would love to recreate this look for my dolls.
And your patterns come out great every time!!!

Frances
Frances

April 08, 2020

My favorite look from the 1970s is a maxi skirt and peasant top.

Linda Healey
Linda Healey

April 08, 2020

I love the bell bottom pattern. My mum & I made all my clothes back in the 70’s when I was between 9 & 19. My favourite outfit when I was 12 was a long tunic in blue paisley tied with a chain belt & matching plain blue bell bottoms.

Pat
Pat

April 08, 2020

Bell-bottom jeans with peace symbol patches, embroidered peasant blouses and moccasins. Comfort and creativity that established a new era in fashion.

Heather
Heather

April 08, 2020

I love maxi dresses!

Bonnie
Bonnie

April 08, 2020

I have sweet memories of bell bottom pants!

Alice
Alice

April 08, 2020

I loved the bell bottom pants and the fringed purses. They were so fun to make.

Denelle Peacey
Denelle Peacey

April 08, 2020

Love the use of ruffles and trim

Julie
Julie

April 08, 2020

Granny dresses!

Seanette
Seanette

April 08, 2020

Love the bell bottoms and crop tops – brings a smile during these trying times!

Julie
Julie

April 08, 2020

I love the hip-hugger bell bottoms, so that look is my choice. This doll speaks to me particularly because I graduated from high school in 1974, wore these exact types of clothes, PLUS, my name is also Julie.

JudyB
JudyB

April 08, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s so am drawn to the hip huggers, crop tops and vests. These doll clothes are so cute!

kimberly Zais
kimberly Zais

April 08, 2020

Absolutely love.the hip hugger Bell bottoms outfit so cute. I love it because it brings back the 80s for me when I was a little girl

Brenda Ward
Brenda Ward

April 08, 2020

Growing up in the seventies was great! I loved it! I think my favorite fashions from that period were the bell bottoms and maxi dresses… I remember making my own maxi dress in Home Ec class at school. Thanks for the opportunity to win this… I love Pixie Faire!

EDWINA
EDWINA

April 08, 2020

I was a young mum in the seventies and I loved the fashions then not so much now though x

Emily H.
Emily H.

April 08, 2020

I’ve always loved crushed velvet, paisley fabric, and fringe although not necessarily with 70’s style colors or patterns. I’ve also always loved peasant tops and wish those actually stayed in style long enough for me to wear them.

Marion J Callahan
Marion J Callahan

April 07, 2020

Definitely the bell bottom skirt. We used to make the skirts from jeans cutting up from the legs and criss crossing the crotch. Was born in ’5o so was in college for this look. Would love Julie. Have just the spot for her by my bed.

Pamela
Pamela

April 07, 2020

I was a senior in high school in the 70’s. The peasant blouse was my favorite, and I still wear them at times!

Holly k
Holly k

April 07, 2020

Love the peasant tops!

Karen L
Karen L

April 07, 2020

This is the era I grew up in. I love the bell bottoms, maxi skirts, and peasant tops. What a time!

Shelly Hammond
Shelly Hammond

April 07, 2020

Bell bottoms were always my favorite!

Harriett Thomas
Harriett Thomas

April 07, 2020

I am a grand and Great gran mother and make doll clothes for them and the neighborhood little girls.

Marietta
Marietta

April 07, 2020

So glad the wide leg jeans are back in fashion now. Bell bottoms forever!

Shari L Kalous
Shari L Kalous

April 07, 2020

OH MY GOSH! Loved my bell bottom jeans! The bigger the better! And Crop tops! Man I miss those days! Love the doll too! Sure brings back memories!

Joy
Joy

April 07, 2020

Bell bottoms and head bands

Cathy
Cathy

April 07, 2020

Love the bell bottoms and peasant top.

Tamara G
Tamara G

April 07, 2020

Bell bottoms, fringed purses and bell sleeves!

Loretta
Loretta

April 07, 2020

love the Julie doll with blond hair in bell bottom pants

Cheryl Leifheit
Cheryl Leifheit

April 07, 2020

Window pane jeans and flowing tips with platform shoes

Marilee
Marilee

April 07, 2020

Ohhh..Memory Lane…Loved Bell Bottoms; I had one pair that were called Elephant Bells…they were huge! My favorite dresses were by Jessica McClintock…still would love them…and Platform shoes. (How many times did you fall running up the stairs in them?!

Mary
Mary

April 07, 2020

Those were the days. Julie is a beautiful doll.
Bell bottoms and peasant blouse are adorable.

Mary
Mary

April 07, 2020

Those were the days. Julie is a beautiful doll.
Bell bottoms and peasant blouse are adorable.

Dana
Dana

April 07, 2020

Disco is my favorite from the 70’s.

Suzanne
Suzanne

April 07, 2020

I love Hip Hugger, Bell Bottoms and Dashikis

They were my teenage uniform. Julie looks so cute in them and her Maxi dress.

Joyce
Joyce

April 07, 2020

I loved wearing the bell bottom pants I made in the 70’s. My other favorite was a patchwork wrap skirt I made.

Darlene
Darlene

April 07, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s wearing hip huggers and bell bottoms and a leather fringed purse

Felicia A Cormier
Felicia A Cormier

April 07, 2020

I really miss the bell bottoms

Susan
Susan

April 07, 2020

Peasant tops and groovy prints.

Maxi
Maxi

April 07, 2020

My favorite outfit in the 70’s was hot pants. In other words short shorts. I used to see my own.

Maxi
Maxi

April 07, 2020

My favorite outfit in the 70’s was hot pants. In other words short shorts. I used to see my own.

Cathy
Cathy

April 07, 2020

I was too old to really enjoy the fashions of the 70’s, but I did think they were cute.

Susan
Susan

April 07, 2020

Long flowing skirts and wide sleeves.

Patricia S.
Patricia S.

April 07, 2020

Leather fringed vests and matching vests.

Gail Beam
Gail Beam

April 07, 2020

Loved the 70’s clothes, of course those were my college years and I definitely had the bell bottom jeans . These patterns bring back a lot of memories.

Mara
Mara

April 07, 2020

I choose the blonde long haired Julie doll wearing the bell bottom pants & white crop top. I totally remember wearing bell bottom jeans with white + other coloured crop tops. My mom made my jeans wider at the bottom by adding triangle pieces of denim in the outer seams. She also crocheted crop tops for me. One in purple variegated crochet thread & one in pink variegated. She also crocheted a yellow one for one of my best girlfriends (we are still great friends to this day, over 50 years).
Thank you for the opportunity to win this doll!

Jan Paul
Jan Paul

April 07, 2020

Groovy fashions! Takes me back to high school!😍

Dorothy
Dorothy

April 07, 2020

Love the bell bottoms! My first pair was brown paisley.

Jessica
Jessica

April 07, 2020

I love the study hall pattern! The bell bottoms are super cute too! Love the earthy colors too!

Kathy
Kathy

April 07, 2020

My favorite 70s trend is maxi dresses. I wore a lot of rust color items.

Lorraine M
Lorraine M

April 07, 2020

I loved the tunic top with the wide leg bell bottom jeans. I made myself a tunic top and wide leg pants from a black, white and yellow flowered print. I loved that pantsuit! It was so muchg fun to wear! Julie doll is my favorite!

Lorraine M
Lorraine M

April 07, 2020

I loved the tunic top with the wide leg bell bottom jeans. I made myself a tunic top and wide leg pants from a black, white and yellow flowered print. I loved that pantsuit! It was so muchg fun to wear! Julie doll is my favorite!

Denise
Denise

April 07, 2020

I grew up in the 70’s so Jilie has always been one of my favorites. Hip huggers and crop tops with a bandana in my hair was always the way to go. Or peasant tops with multiple prints and cut of shorts.

Sue
Sue

April 07, 2020

I love the bell bottom pants.

FRAN R
FRAN R

April 07, 2020

I loved the 70’s. I was in college and wore bell bottoms and peasant style blouses. The sewing was easy-a lot of gathering and casings for elastic. 3 tiered skirts that took yards of fabric; often mix and match cottons.

leticia
leticia

April 07, 2020

My favorite 70’s trends are the bell bottoms and the maxi skirts. Thanks Cinnamon for this fun opportunity and contest!

Donna
Donna

April 07, 2020

A favorite outfit that I wore in the 60s was a crocheted purple granny square vest with a purple mini A-line double knit skirt. I should replicate the outfit for a Julie doll.

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