The 1970s were a vibrant time of social change, creative expression, and some truly bizarre trends. While many of these fads had their moment in the sun, they’re best left as relics of their time. Whether it’s strange fashion choices or passing crazes, these cultural phenomena defined the decade but haven’t aged well. Here’s a look at ten fads from the 70s that we’re happy didn’t follow us into the future.
It’s hard to believe, but in 1975, people were buying rocks as pets. Marketed as the perfect companion that never needed feeding, the Pet Rock was a genius marketing ploy that turned a literal stone into a million-dollar idea. The fad burned bright but quickly faded, leaving us to wonder why anyone would pay for something they could pick up off the ground. Today, the Pet Rock is a punchline, a symbol of how gullible we can be when a trend takes off.
Mood rings were the ultimate accessory for anyone who wanted to show off their ever-changing emotional state. The idea was that the color-changing stone would reflect your mood, but in reality, it mostly reacted to body temperature. Despite their pseudoscience, these rings became a hit among teens and young adults. We’ve left mood rings behind in the 70s, though they still pop up now and then as a kitschy throwback item.
Nothing says 1970s excess quite like a white, polyester disco suit. Popularized by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, these flashy outfits were the uniform for a night on the dance floor. But outside of a disco inferno, these suits look more like a costume than a serious fashion statement. Thankfully, we’ve moved on from bell-bottom trousers and oversized lapels, but we’ll always have the memories (and embarrassing photos).
Running naked across a football field might sound ridiculous now, but streaking was a national craze in the 70s. From college campuses to live TV events, people stripped down and sprinted in the name of fun or protest. While it was seen as a harmless act of rebellion at the time, the fad fizzled out by the 80s, leaving streaking as a bizarre footnote in pop culture history. And let’s be honest—we’re glad it stayed there.
Ah, the waterbed: a staple of 70s bedrooms that seemed futuristic but turned out to be a logistical nightmare. Popular for their supposed comfort and “sensual” wave motion, waterbeds were prone to leaks, difficult to move, and a backache waiting to happen. They were the ultimate symbol of 70s luxury, but their impracticality kept them from making a comeback in the decades that followed.
The iconic feathered hairstyle made famous by Farrah Fawcett was the must-have look of the 70s. Women spent hours teasing, curling, and spraying their hair to achieve that perfect flip. While it was a glamorous style at the time, the upkeep was intense, and it hasn’t aged well. Today, it’s mostly remembered as a quintessential 70s look, frozen in time alongside bell-bottoms and platform shoes.
In the 70s, everyone thought they were a trucker. Citizens band (CB) radios became a nationwide craze, with people installing them in their cars and using trucker slang like “10-4” and “Breaker, breaker.” While it was fun to pretend you were part of the open road culture, the fad died out once the novelty wore off and cell phones took over. Now, CB radios are a quirky relic of a bygone era.
Platform shoes were all the rage in the 70s, adding inches of height and a dash of glam rock flair. From David Bowie to everyday disco-goers, everyone was rocking these sky-high shoes. But they weren’t the most practical footwear choice—rolling an ankle was almost a rite of passage. While they made a brief comeback in the 90s, they’ve largely been left behind, and our ankles are grateful.
A staple of 70s decor, lava lamps were mesmerizing and mysterious, with their slow-moving blobs of colored wax. They were the perfect accessory for any teenager’s room or psychedelic den, but they’re more kitsch than cool now. While they still have their fans, lava lamps are mostly a novelty item today, serving as a reminder of the groovy aesthetics of the 70s.
Who needs a door when you can have a curtain made of beads? This 70s decor trend was popular in bohemian homes, adding a splash of color and a jingle every time someone walked through. While they had a certain charm, beaded curtains were impractical and noisy, which is probably why they’ve mostly stayed in the past.