Easy-care synthetic fabrics came into their own in the 1970s, and fashion designers drew on a variety of influences - the hippy movement, civil rights and feminism - for a mostly free-flowing style, often in psychedelic and patchwork patterns. Platform shoes and flared, hipster trousers - cut tight over hips and thighs and flaring from the knee - were popular for women and men. Casual clothes and separates dominated men's fashions. Most men wore suits only occasionally, other than for business.

Psychedelic and patchwork patterns dominated, and men left their suits at home