The 1970s are making a design comeback this year, and it’s due in large part to the pandemic and ongoing political uncertainty.

After months stuck inside their homes, consumers are looking to bring the outside in and surround themselves with earthy browns, greens, yellows and oranges – all shades that were popular back in The Me Decade. Potted plants are in vogue too, as are vintage floral prints. Wide-sleeve sweaters, peasant dresses and bell bottoms are experiencing a resurgence as well.

In its fourth annual Interior Designer Trends Survey, online luxury retailer 1stDibs found that professionals in the space expect the trend to grow in the coming months as pandemic fears and political tumult persist.

“What I find telling is how as people have spent more time indoors, the desire to embrace the outdoors by using more grounded colors to evoke a sense of calm and comfort is just that, comforting,” said designer Gil Melott of Studio6F in the survey. “There seems to be a subtle shift toward the humbler earth tones and we believe richer hues will redefine how the whole home feels: comforting, safe and inviting.”

Home décor retailer Society6 sells this throw pillow with a floral print in navy blue, teal, cream and mustard.

Marie Parry, head of design for Prestigious Textiles, recently told Homes and Gardens that the current move towards earthy tones and patterns is the result of a collective pining for the outdoors, a simpler pre-pandemic time and traveling to exotic locales. “[L]iving spaces will reflect the current situation we’re faced with, embracing calming color palettes and familiar patterns that create a sanctuary in any home,” she says.

In what feels uncannily similar to 2020, the 1970s were also a time of political upheaval in the U.S., as the country attempted to exit the drawn-out Vietnam War, Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency, Americans marched for racial and women’s rights, and long queues of cars at the gas pumps brought environmental issues to the fore.

Los Angeles-based women’s retailer Maven West offers this tie-front peasant top with bell sleeves, in burnt orange and olive green.

Model Poppy Delevingne recently wore this 1970s-inspired floral dress.

The similarity in the social situation is mirrored by a similarity in style preferences. The promotional products industry is responding with its own vintage neutral looks. Top 40 supplier SanMar (asi/84863) has a variety of items in ’70s colors, like Bella+Canvas’s unisex jersey tee (BC3001) in army, autumn, burnt orange, mustard, gold and soft cream.

The Bella+Canvas unisex jersey tee (BC3001) from SanMar (asi/84863) comes in 55 colors, including mustard.

“We continue to see a growing trend of fashion that’s inspired by nature, including nostalgic and rich autumn hues,” says Sara Thompson, senior merchandiser at SanMar. Lane Seven Apparel Trading (asi/66246) has T-shirts, hoodies, shorts and joggers in earthy tones, including mushroom, paprika, teal and meerkat, a burnt orange hue.

The heavyweight hoodie (LS19001) from Lane Seven Apparel Trading (asi/66246) is available in ’70s-inspired colors.

“There’s a sense of calmness that comes with the earth, and all of the colors she naturally has for us,” says Jessica Jacobs, an inside sales manager for Top 40 supplier S&S Activewear (asi/84358). Jacobs says the top colors this year at S&S have been mustard, mauve and natural, across many garment styles.

Another vintage garment making a comeback: bomber jackets. The Independent Trading Co. lightweight bomber (EXP52BMR) and Weatherproof quilted packable bomber (21752/W21752), both available at S&S, come in neutrals like olive grey, blush and military green.

The Weatherproof quilted packable bomber (W21752) from S&S Activewear (asi/84358) has a vintage look and comes in blush, olive grey and black. A men’s style (21752) is also available.

“This year created opportunities for families to spend more time outdoors together, tending their gardens or playing with their kids and pets,” says Jacobs. “Earth tones offered comfort and helped create memories during tough times, so they have more meaning in fashion now than they’ve ever had before.”

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