The right 70s-inspired accessories can completely change an outfit. You don’t need a full vintage wardrobe to get the look. Sometimes a pair of oversized sunglasses, a wide leather belt, platform shoes, or a suede bag is all it takes.

These retro accessories for women work because they add recognizable retro details without asking you to dress head-to-toe in vintage. Pair one statement piece with modern denim, a simple knit, a wrap dress, or a tailored outfit, and the result is much easier to wear today.

Below are 15 of the best 70s fashion accessories for women, from platforms and sunglasses to silk scarves, jewelry, suede bags, and wide belts, plus tips on styling them and building a small collection over time.

In this guide

• What Makes 70s-Inspired Accessories So Distinctive?
• 15 Best 70s-Inspired Accessories for Women
• How to Style 70s-Inspired Accessories Without Looking Like a Costume
• Best 70s-Inspired Accessories by Outfit
• Best Colors for 70s Accessories
• How to Build a Collection of 70s-Inspired Accessories
• FAQs

What Makes 70s-Inspired Accessories So Distinctive?

The 1970s covered a lot of fashion moods. Bohemian dressing, denim, disco glamour, soft sportswear, Western-inspired looks, and polished tailoring all existed side by side.

That variety is great news today, because you don’t have to follow one strict formula. Platforms can lean disco, while a suede shoulder bag feels more bohemian. A wide belt can make tailored trousers look retro, and oversized sunglasses add a quick vintage reference to an otherwise modern outfit.

15 Best 70s-Inspired Accessories for Women

1. Platform Shoes

If you want one accessory that instantly says 70s, start with platform shoes. The V&A notes that platform-soled shoes suited the flared trousers and maxi skirts of the early 1970s, and the FIDM Museum explains that their height was seen as ideal for lengthening the silhouette.

For everyday wear, you don’t need a sky-high platform. A moderate platform sandal, boot, or shoe gives you the same effect and is much easier to walk in.

2. Oversized Sunglasses

Oversized sunglasses add retro style without changing the rest of your outfit. Try large square, round, aviator-style, or softly tinted frames. Wear them with flared jeans and a simple tee by day, or with a maxi dress for a more bohemian feel.

Stick to one bold frame rather than piling on competing accessories.

3. Wide Leather Belts

A wide belt can change the shape of an outfit completely. Wear one with high-waisted flares, wide-leg trousers, a maxi dress, or a simple knit dress.

Brown, tan, and black leather work best with the earthy shades often linked to 70s styling.

4. Suede Shoulder Bags

Suede is one of the easiest textures to use in a 70s-inspired outfit. Choose a shoulder bag in tan, camel, cognac, or chocolate brown. It works with jeans, maxi dresses, corduroy, and knitwear.

If the bag already has fringe or heavy texture, keep your other accessories understated.

5. Statement Earrings

Bold earrings can take a plain outfit from basic to retro in seconds. Try large hoops, sculptural shapes, textured metal, or colorful statement pairs.

They work best with simple hairstyles and clean necklines, because the earrings become the focal point.

6. Long Pendant Necklaces

Long pendants suit the relaxed, bohemian side of 70s fashion. Wear one over a fitted knit, turtleneck, blouse, or maxi dress.

Layering two or three delicate necklaces works too, but keep the neckline uncluttered if your outfit already has a bold print.

7. Silk Scarves

A silk scarf is one of the most versatile ways to add a vintage touch. Tie it around your neck, knot it onto a handbag, or wear it in your hair.

Paisley, geometric, floral, and warm-toned prints reinforce the retro feel, while a solid scarf works better if your clothes already have a strong pattern.

8. Fringe Bags

Fringe adds instant movement to a 70s-inspired outfit. A fringe shoulder bag looks great with flared jeans, suede jackets, embroidered blouses, crochet tops, and maxi dresses.

You don’t need fringe everywhere. If the bag has a lot of it, let the bag be the statement.

9. Wide-Brim Hats

A wide-brim hat pushes an outfit toward the bohemian side of 70s fashion. Try one with a maxi dress, flared jeans, a suede jacket, or a flowing blouse.

For a more modern result, choose a clean shape in a neutral color and skip the other obviously retro accessories.

10. Chunky Bracelets

Chunky bracelets add a little disco or glam energy to a simple outfit. Wear one substantial piece, or stack a few that complement each other.

Gold, silver, wood-inspired textures, and colorful designs can all work, depending on the rest of your look.

11. Knee-High Boots

Knee-high boots are especially useful in fall and winter. Wear them with a suede skirt, a flowing dress, tucked-in trousers, or a shorter hemline.

Brown and tan boots feel softer and more vintage, while black boots look more polished. They also suit the flared silhouettes linked to 70s styling.

12. Statement Buckles

If you love Western-inspired 70s fashion, look for belts with a noticeable buckle. A strong buckle works with jeans, suede jackets, denim shirts, and boots.

Keep the rest of your accessories simple so the buckle stays the main detail.

13. Woven Bags

Woven and basket-style bags suit summer versions of 70s-inspired dressing. Pair one with a flowing maxi dress, crochet top, flared jeans, or lightweight blouse.

The texture keeps the outfit relaxed, and it looks best in natural shades like tan, cream, brown, and straw.

14. Retro Belts With Dresses

A belt can transform a loose dress. Cinch a flowing maxi or midi at the waist with a leather belt to add definition while keeping the dress’s relaxed shape.

For a stronger 70s look, choose a wider belt or a noticeable buckle.

15. Tinted or Retro-Shape Sunglasses

If oversized frames aren’t your style, try a different shape. Soft square frames, round frames, aviator-style designs, and lightly tinted lenses all add a vintage feel.

Keep your clothing simple if the sunglasses are especially bold.

How to Style 70s-Inspired Accessories Without Looking Like a Costume

This is probably the most important part. You don’t need platform shoes, a fringe bag, oversized sunglasses, a wide-brim hat, statement jewelry, and a printed maxi dress all at once. Use the one-or-two statement accessory rule instead. For example:

• Modern casual: flared jeans + white T-shirt + platform shoes.
• Boho: maxi dress + suede shoulder bag + long pendant.
• Disco-inspired: simple evening dress + platform shoes + statement earrings.
• Western-inspired: jeans + fitted top + suede bag + statement belt.
• Everyday retro: straight or flared jeans + knit top + oversized sunglasses.

That approach makes your accessories look intentional instead of costume-like. Wearing flares? Our guide on How to Style Bell-Bottom Jeans shows what to pair them with.

Best 70s-Inspired Accessories by Outfit

With Bell-Bottom Jeans

Try platform shoes, a wide leather belt, oversized sunglasses, or a suede shoulder bag.

With a Maxi Dress

A woven bag, pendant necklace, wide-brim hat, or silk scarf works beautifully.

With a Wrap Dress

Keep the accessories more refined. Try simple heels or boots, a structured bag, and statement earrings.

With a Suede Jacket

A leather belt, shoulder bag, boots, or oversized sunglasses can complete the look.

With a Turtleneck and Flared Trousers

Add a belt, loafers or platforms, and a simple pendant necklace.

Best Colors for 70s Accessories

For an unmistakably retro palette, start with:

• Chocolate brown
• Camel
• Tan
• Rust
• Burnt orange
• Mustard
• Olive
• Cream
• Burgundy
• Deep red

Metallic gold or silver works well for a more disco-inspired outfit. Don’t feel restricted to earthy tones, though. A black, white, or modern neutral accessory can actually make a retro outfit feel more current.

How to Build a Collection of 70s-Inspired Accessories

You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with three versatile pieces:

• A statement pair of sunglasses: they work with jeans, dresses, coats, and summer outfits.
• A quality leather or suede bag: choose a neutral color so it goes with several outfits.
• A strong belt or a pair of shoes: either one can change the silhouette of basic clothing.

Once you have those, add more specialized pieces like fringe bags, platform shoes, statement jewelry, or wide-brim hats.

The Bottom Line

The best 70s-inspired accessories are the ones you’ll actually wear with the rest of your wardrobe. You don’t need a complete vintage look. A pair of platforms can transform flared jeans, a suede bag can make a simple maxi dress feel bohemian, and oversized sunglasses can add a retro touch to an otherwise modern outfit.

Start with one statement accessory, build around it with simple clothing, and add another retro detail only if the outfit needs it. For more outfit inspiration, see our guide to the 25 Best 70s Outfits for Women.

FAQs

What are the best 70s-inspired accessories for women?

The most popular 70s-inspired accessories include platform shoes, oversized sunglasses, wide belts, suede bags, statement earrings, long pendant necklaces, silk scarves, fringe bags, boots, and wide-brim hats.

What is the easiest 70s accessory to wear today?

Oversized sunglasses, a wide leather belt, or a suede shoulder bag are among the easiest choices because they go with modern basics.

How do you make a modern outfit look 70s?

Add one recognizable accessory, such as platform shoes, oversized sunglasses, a suede bag, or a statement belt. You don’t need to change the entire outfit.

What bags go with 70s outfits?

Suede shoulder bags, fringe bags, woven bags, leather crossbody bags, and simple structured bags can all work, depending on the style you’re going for.

What shoes go with 70s-inspired outfits?

Platform shoes, ankle boots, knee-high boots, sandals, and loafers all work. Platforms and boots create the strongest retro effect.