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.
Pet Rocks
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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
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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.
Disco Suits
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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).
Streaking
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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.
Water Beds
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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.