Most Stylish Decade Showdown: 1970s vs. 1990s

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Fashion is something of a necromancer. Which, in case you weren’t an RPG fan growing up from the 1970s onwards, means it communicates with dead trends to create new ones – and sometimes even revives them entirely.

This year, if we weren’t scouring vintage stores for a quality suede overshirt, then we were re-discovering 1990s-era casual wear brands (Ellesse, anyone?) we’ve unreservedly snubbed since originally sporting them.

Proving fashion’s penchant for reanimation, 2015 was all about the 1970s and 1990s; two decades that both high-end runways and high street windows everywhere have referenced for this season and next, but that couldn’t be further apart in their aesthetic leanings.

So, partially in an effort to make up our own minds, we asked a select group of style authorities to tell us which of the decades is their favorite, and why.

The 1990s

Already lying about your age? Then look away now. Because we’re as close today to 2040 as we are to 1990. Yes, the decade of Pogs, boybands and Mortal Kombat is now far enough in the past that it’s officially considered ‘vintage’, which also means it’s newly ripe for contemporary fashion to pick over.

“My observation is based purely on the sex factor; I’d say both the 1990s and 1970s had a lot to offer fashion,” says designer and London Collections: Men maverick Katie Eary, who has touched upon both decades in her eclectic collections, “[but] 1990s indie was not sexy, unless you like that unwashed vibe. I’m not saying the whole of the indie scene is like this, but by the 1990s, commercialization of all the things we love started to happen.”

Kurt Cobain 1990s Grunge OutfitKurt Cobain

The 1990s, then, was the era not just of Noel and Liam’s military surplus parkas and the clean-cut cool of Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang, but also of badly made high street clothing and flashy brand names. As Eary puts it: “commercial and sexy never seem to appear in the same sentence.”

But while 1990s’ menswear’s accelerating commercialization might detract from its appeal, the decade also ushered in a fresh, rawer take on style, and a backlash against the skyscraping shoulders, glitter and blinding color of the 1980s (yes, we’re still talking menswear), in the form of grunge and leisurewear.

Liam Gallagher In His Staple 1990s Green ParkaLiam Gallagher

“Grunge is very versatile,” says journalist and editor at The Calvert Journal, Anastasiia Fedorova. “Oversized sweaters with holes and jeans is [part of men’s] uniform these days.” Along with flannel shirts, worn denim and low-fi trainers, came the mainstreaming of sportswear and the crumbling of the smart/casual divide, which continues to influence our athleisure-centric wardrobe choices today.

“Generally, in an urban setting, I think 1990s style is a better choice [than 1970s] – with all the skater and sportswear influence, it’s comfortable enough to survive in a world [that often has] too much choice,” she adds.

Calvin Klein Limited Edition Black SeriesCalvin Klein Limited Edition Black Series

Overall, it’s easier to pick a designer that hasn’t referenced the 1990s recently, with all its pared-back simplicity, big-name logos and sports cuts and fabrications. If you fancy reacquainting yourself, look to some of today’s most important designers channeling the decade: Gosha Rubchinskiy, Christopher Shannon and Italo Zucchelli at Calvin Klein Collection, or tap 1990s-inspired brands like Palace and Fila.

Steer well clear, however, of what Eary calls the “macho over-denimed, over-embellished” aspect of the 1990s – i.e. anything that makes you look like Coolio at the 1996 Grammys or John Stamos in Full House. No one needs to see that again.

Modern 1990s-Inspired Lookbook

Decades 1990s

urban outfitters 2015 scotch & soda amsterdams blauw aw14 asos 2015 zara 2015 uniqlo aw15 dondup aw15 boohoo aw14 h&m divided autumn 2015 topman aw15 boohoo aw14 boohoo aw14

The 1970s

Ah, the 1970s. Not only did they bring us disco, salmon mousse and Abigail’s Party, but it’s also the decade that arguably spawned more iconic trends than any of those that went before it.

“I can assimilate 1990s fashion more as I grew up in the time (and, as such, think it’s a lot more wearable), but I love the 1970s,” says stylist and journalist Celia-Jane Ukwenya, who counts Seventh Man magazine, ASOS and Dior among clients. “Men in the 1970s always looked so well turned-out – tucked-in, belted and polished.”

Indeed, while not all the tastemakers we talked to had even been born then, the 1970s seem to hold an inimitable sense of cool; not least because tailoring of the time (slim-cut, wide-lapelled jackets and flared trousers) was so far removed from the clean, technical tailoring we’re favoring at present.

American Hustle 1970s SuitsAmerican Hustle

“They say it’s the decade that style forgot, but a wide peak-lapel suit with a nipped-in waist is actually very flattering on a man’s figure – broadening his shoulders and slimming his waist, giving him a desirable triangular physique,” says Sarah Gilfillan, founder of men’s personal styling service Sartoria Lab. “Tom Ford has cottoned on quickly and, for a couple of seasons now, has done some suspiciously 1970s-looking suits.”

While the 1990s might be easier to associate with big-name labels and behemoth-sized brands, Gilfillan believes it’s 1970s for the win when it comes to style icons. “The 1970s wins hands down for me as I grew up then and have fond memories of watching Starsky and Hutch, swooning over Paul Michael Glaser in that iconic shawl collared cardigan,” says Gilfillan. “And who could forget Robert Redford’s character, Hubbell, in the 1973 film The Way We Were looking dreamy in a cream chunky knit roll neck?”

Starsky and HutchStarsky and Hutch

On a more rambunctious note, the 1970s in many ways defined what we now consider to be the archetypal rock ‘n’ roll look. “1970’s rock was so much sexier [than 1990s], so much more experimental thanks to Bowie, Iggy Pop, Jim Morrison, Lou Reed and Mick Jagger,” says Eary, who cites Mick Jagger in an all-green suit, Iggy in tight silver trousers and Sid Vicious in torn jeans (that could be, ahem, ripped straight from one of Hedi’s Saint Laurent runways). “At that time, for the first time, music, art and fashion became one thing. Nothing compares to that,” says Eary.

Key to this year’s 1970s resurgence in menswear has been Alessandro Michele, recently appointed to the helm of Gucci; a designer who’s packed his runways (and the wardrobes of the likes of Harry Styles and Jared Leto) with floral suits, flares and silk shirts. But labels like recently shuttered (and much missed) Jonathan Saunders, along with Prada and J.W. Anderson, have been mining this look at the edgier end of the spectrum for the past few seasons, consistently unveiling collections bursting with 1970s-inspired geometric patterns and exaggerated cuts.

Topman AW15 1970s-Inspired LooksTopman AW15

As for giving it a go yourself, we’d suggest baby steps. Hell-for-leather 1970s looks like Styles’ red carpet ensembles aren’t exactly entry-level fare, so steer subtle with plain colors and switch up your cut instead. “[Try something] sartorial with a roll neck and blazer paired with a flared trouser, or slick with a tight-fitting zip-up blouson and tight flared trousers,” says Ukwenya.

“Although [the latter is] feminine at first glance, the fluid lines and tight-fitting styles [can be used to] show a very masculine physique.” Think Armie Hammer in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Alternatively, for an even safer, winter-ready bet, opt for 1970s-flavored outerwear. “I can already see a return to the 1970s coming through in menswear, particularly in outerwear with tonnes of fur-collared coats, aviator jackets, and camel overcoats,” says Gilfillan.

Modern 1970s-Inspired Lookbook

Decades 1970s

zara aw15 zara 2015 zara august 2012 dunhill aw14 boglioli aw15 bally aw15 michael kors aw15 reiss aw15 aquascutum aw14 mango man aw15 topman denim aw15

Final Word

After what seems like a decade in itself of saluting 1990s sportswear and minimalism, much of menswear’s changing tack, with 1970s vibes increasingly prevalent on agenda-setting designers’ runways.

But are the Disco decade’s flamboyant cuts and divisive color palettes as wearable in what’s shaping up to be a dressed-down decade? “When I think about 1970s menswear, I think of the Rolling Stones,” say Fedorova. “Silk scarves, fur coats and other decadent stuff – it’s great, but naturally not everyone can pull it off, and it’s also very questionable how contemporary it is.”

So which decade comes out on top? Which era are you more inclined to mine for inspiration? And which had the best-dressed men?

Cast your vote below.

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