35 Vintage Snaps Capture Fashion Styles of ’70s Women

Women’s fashion in the 1970s was a vibrant era of self-expression, characterized by a mix of bohemian vibes, disco glamour, and rebellious spirit.

The decade began with a continuation of the late ’60s “hippie” look, featuring bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, and flowing maxi dresses. As the years progressed, the style shifted toward the high-energy disco scene, bringing sequined outfits, satin wrap dresses, and towering platform shoes to the forefront.

Additionally, the ’70s saw the rise of the “power dressing” precursor, with women increasingly wearing tailored pantsuits and blazers in the workplace. This iconic decade remains a major influence on modern runways, celebrated for its bold patterns, diverse textures, and “anything goes” attitude.

These snapshots offer a nostalgic window into the diverse and bold fashion world that defined women in the 1970s.

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Stunning Studio Portraits of a Young Bettie Page in 1952

Bettie Mae Page (April 22, 1923 – December 11, 2008) was an American model who gained recognition in the 1950s for her pin-up photos. She was often referred to as the “Queen of Pinups”: her long jet-black hair, blue eyes, and trademark bangs have influenced artists for generations. After her death, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner called her “a remarkable lady, an iconic figure in pop culture who influenced sexuality, taste in fashion, someone who had a tremendous impact on our society.”

Page arrived in New York in 1947 but didn’t find her “look” until around 1950. A chance meeting with a police officer and amateur photographer named Jerry Tibbs led to her first professional portfolio. Tibbs is often credited with suggesting she cut her hair into the trademark thick bangs to hide her high forehead, a style that became her visual signature. She became a fixture in NYC “camera clubs,” where amateur photographers paid to shoot models. These sessions produced thousands of images that were sold as “collector sets” in the back of men’s magazines.

By 1952, she began working with Irving Klaw, the Movie Star News photographer. Klaw specialized in pinup and “cheesecake” photography, as well as more provocative “bondage” themes which, while controversial, cemented her underground fame.

In the early 1950s, her style was a blend of girl-next-door charm and bold, graphic sexuality. She dominated these popular “men’s digest” magazines between 1952 and 1954. Because color film (like Kodachrome) was expensive and required perfect lighting, Page became a master of holding difficult poses while maintaining a natural expression, a skill that made her a favorite for photographers working with slow shutter speeds.

In the early 1950s, Page represented a bridge between the classic, soft-focus pinups of World War II (like Betty Grable) and the more explicit, stylized imagery of the late 1950s and 1960s. She wasn’t yet a household name, that would come with her 1955 Playboy Centerfold, but in the world of independent photography and newsstands, she was already the most photographed woman in the world.

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18 Amazing Photos of a Very Young Jack Nicholson in the 1950s

Before he became the wild-eyed icon of the 1970s, Jack Nicholson’s 1950s experience was the quintessential “struggling actor” story. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1954 at just 17 years old, originally just to visit his sister, but ended up staying to pursue stardom.

Jack didn’t start in front of the camera. His first job in Hollywood was as an office boy/mail carrier for the animation department at MGM. He worked alongside cartoon legends William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (the creators of Tom and Jerry). Legend has it that an MGM producer noticed his sharp looks and offered him a screen test, but Nicholson turned it down initially because he wanted to learn how to actually act first.

He joined a theater group called The Players Ring, where he began honing his craft. During this time, he met other young actors like Robert Towne (who would later write Chinatown). He spent the mid-1950s training in various acting classes, moving away from the “method” style popular at the time toward a more personal, idiosyncratic approach.

He made his first on-screen appearance in an episode of Matinee Theatre in 1956. His feature film debut came in 1958 with the lead role in the low-budget teen drama The Cry Baby Killer. By the end of the decade, he had begun his long-term collaboration with B-movie producer Roger Corman, appearing in films like The Little Shop of Horrors (shot in late 1959, released 1960).

The 1950s were just the beginning of a long climb. Despite appearing in low-budget B-movies, he experienced slow progress but never gave up. His persistence eventually paid off when the New Hollywood movement began reshaping the film industry, and his major breakthrough came in 1969 with Easy Rider.

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Bijou Barrington: The Epitome of 1940s Elegance

Bijou Barrington was a celebrated American fashion model who rose to prominence in the 1940s. Known for her sophisticated and graceful presence, she was a favorite subject for legendary photographers like Louise Dahl-Wolfe and John Rawlings. Her career is best remembered for her frequent appearances in Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, where she showcased the works of pioneering designers like Claire McCardell.

One of her most famous moments occurred during a 1942 shoot in Arizona; after Barrington suffered from heatstroke, the iconic editor Diana Vreeland famously stepped in to model in her place. She remains a symbol of the refined, “classic” elegance that defined mid-century American fashion.

Let’s take a look back at these vintage glimpses of Bijou Barrington, a woman who perfectly embodied the golden age of American high fashion.

Bijou Barrington in skirt and halter top by Jay Thorpe, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, January 1942

Bijou Barrington in pants and top by Jay Thorpe, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, January 1942

Bijou Barrington wearing a high-waisted skirt of Botany wool flannel, a simple black blouse with a cocoa scarf, all at B. Altman, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, February 1, 1943

Bijou Barrington wearing a white cotton madras tucked peplum dress from Henri Bendel's Young Timers, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue 1943

Bijou Barrington near sliding glass door wearing polka-dot square neck dress of rayon crêpe, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue 1943

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American Civil War Soldier Clowning Around for the Camera, ca. 1863

This image of an unidentified Union officer clowning around is a rare and famous departure from the typically stoic military portraits of the 1860s. Captured around 1863, this quarter-plate tintype shows the soldier performing a classic gesture of mockery or “thumbing his nose.”

Photography in the 1860s was still relatively new and technically demanding. Most portraits required long exposure times (several seconds or more), so subjects had to hold perfectly still, which is why so many Civil War photos show stiff, serious expressions. Humorous or candid shots like this one are quite rare because holding a silly face steady without laughing or moving was challenging.

Soldiers (especially in camp) often had downtime between battles or during sieges, and photography studios or traveling photographers near camps allowed them to send portraits home. This unknown officer clearly decided to have some fun instead of the standard stoic pose. It humanizes the era, reminding us that even amid one of America’s bloodiest conflicts, soldiers found moments of levity, boredom relief, and personality.

The photo’s exact location isn't definitively recorded in most sources, though some mentions loosely associate similar images with places like the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia (1864–65). The identity of the officer remains unknown, it’s one of those charming “anonymous” artifacts of history that pops up frequently in collections, books, and social media posts about Civil War photography.

It’s a great example of how tintypes captured not just the gravity of war, but also the everyday humanity and humor of the people living through it. The image has circulated widely online precisely because it’s so relatable and unexpected from that period.

30 Iconic Saturday Evening Post Covers From the Early 1900s

In the early 1900s, The Saturday Evening Post emerged as one of America’s most beloved and influential magazines, famous for its iconic illustrated covers that captured the spirit of the nation. From 1900 to the 1920s, the magazine’s covers served as vibrant windows into everyday American life, reflecting the optimism, humor, and rapid social changes of the Edwardian and Progressive eras.

Renowned artists such as J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell (who began contributing in 1916), and other talented illustrators created memorable scenes filled with warmth, nostalgia, and gentle storytelling. Whether depicting bustling city streets, idyllic small-town life, romantic moments, or humorous slices of daily existence, these covers blended masterful artistry with mass appeal. Bold colors, dynamic compositions, and relatable characters made each issue something readers eagerly anticipated every Saturday.

These early 1900s covers not only defined the golden age of American magazine illustration but also became enduring cultural artifacts, beautifully preserving the hopes, dreams, and everyday joys of a transforming America.

Saturday Evening Post magazine cover, December 7, 1901

Saturday Evening Post magazine cover, July 20, 1901

Saturday Evening Post magazine cover, May 25, 1901

Saturday Evening Post magazine cover, October 26, 1901

Saturday Evening Post magazine cover, June 21, 1902

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Catherine O’Hara’s Wardrobe Polaroids From the Canadian Sketch Comedy Second City Television

The collection of wardrobe polaroids featuring Catherine O’Hara from 1983 captures the actress during her tenure with the Canadian sketch comedy troupe Second City Television (SCTV). These images, often used for continuity and makeup testing, showcase the wide array of eccentric characters she portrayed, including the legendary Lola Heatherton.

The 1983 set is particularly notable for featuring several “alternate” looks and makeup tests that were later circulated by various archives. Many of these photos include her frequent collaborator John Candy, documenting their work during SCTV's peak years. 

These Polaroids were primary tools for the wardrobe and makeup departments, including designers Linda Matheson and Juul Haalmeyer, to maintain consistent looks across different filming dates.

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