How to channel the celeb-approved 70s summer trend, according to fashion editors

The Sun

17-07-2025

THIS summer, A-listers have been swanning around the Med draped in swirly prints and bold colour combos that have got us in a spin for all things 1970s.
And the high street is hot on their stylish heels to bring the trend to those of us with a smaller budget.
The likes of Sofia Richie, Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner are living la dolce vita abroad, while others such as Charithra Chandran, are flying the '70s flag in the UK.
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From heeled flip-flops to chic headscarves, accessories are an easy way to transform you into a jet-set icon - even if you're just soaking up the sun in your garden.
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Here, Fabulous ' fashion team reveal their pick of the best high-street buys to nail the trend without a celebrity bank balance.
Clemmie Fieldsend, 35, Fashion Editor
When I think of Euro summers, I immediately think of Missoni.
Sitting poolside in the iconic zig-zag print and a statement pair of sunnies is the dream, but my bank balance doesn't reflect that reality.
Thankfully, Accessorize has come to the rescue with this chevron-print dress.
The lightweight crochet knit makes it feel 1970s, plus I love the stylish neutral colourway, which will pair well with the rest of my summer wardrobe.
I'll team it with a classic woven bag, like this Reiss bucket bag that's a dupe for the more expensive Dragon Diffusion version, a simple pair of wear-everywhere flip-flops from Next, and oval sunglasses.
A chunky necklace to sit in the scoop neckline of the dress is ideal for the evening, but for daytime all I need is a plain swimsuit underneath - this M&S option is my ride-or-die swimsuit - and a cocktail in hand.
Abby McHale, 30, Deputy Fashion Editor
I may not have a summer holiday booked yet, but I can at least dress like I'm heading overseas!
This brown and blue striped knit from Zara screams '70s, but with a modern-day twist.
Keeping this as the highlight of my look, I've paired it with some wide-leg linen trousers, flat sandals and a braided leather bag.
Plus, these oversized aviator sunnies are adding to my retro vibe.
You could also wear a bandana - not only will it keep your hair out of your face, but you'll also be bang on trend with this Euro style.
Emily Regan, 25, Fashion Assistant
I usually lean towards neural tones, but with the '70s-inspired trend making a comeback this summer, I've been experimenting with bolder colours.
I was drawn to this orange-print skirt from Zara, as the slightly faded pattern gives the perfect retro vibes.
This bright orange halterneck top is not a style I'd usually go for, but I decided to give it a go after seeing my friend in a similar one recently.
Plus, it'll be great for the heatwave!
I've paired it with this ombre neck scarf - another nod to the '70s trend - and some brown New Look sandals.
Finally, I've added a brown woven bag to match my shoes, plus some fun bag charms for a touch of whimsy.
Why the high street still rules!
Fabulous' Fashion Director, Tracey Lea Sayer shares her thoughts.
I WAS 10 when I first discovered the utter joy of high-street shopping for clothes with my mum and nan.
Going into town on Saturday became a family tradition – a girls' day out we would look forward to all week.
My mum's favourite shop was M&S, where she would gaze at jackets with big shoulder pads and floral sundresses, while my nan would make a beeline for John Lewis and their classic coats and elegant court shoes.
I was all over Tammy Girl – Etam's little sister – and Chelsea Girl, which was later rebranded to high-street fave River Island.
I would spend hours in the changing rooms, watched keenly by my two cheerleaders, who gave the thumbs up – or thumbs down – on what I was trying on.
Frilly ra-ra skirts, duster coats, polka dot leggings, puff balls, boob tubes… I tried them all, often making my nan howl with laughter.
Fashion wasn't so fast back in the 1980s and every item was cherished and worn until it fell apart – literally – at the seams.
At 18, I went to art college and my tastes became more refined.
Extra cash from a part-time job in a bar meant I could move on to slightly more expensive stores, like Warehouse, Miss Selfridge and the mecca that was Topshop.
I knew at this point I wanted to work in fashion because the high street had totally seduced me.
One day, I wrote an article for a competition in a glossy mag about my love of retail therapy and my favourite LBD – and I won!
That led me to where I am today – Fashion Director of Fabulous.
It's not just me that loves the high street – big-name designers are fans, too. When Cool Britannia hit in the '90s, they all turned up in one big store.
Designers at Debenhams was a stroke of genius by Debenhams CEO Belinda Earl, designer Ben de Lisi and fashion director Spencer Hawken, who introduced diffusion ranges from John Rocha, Matthew Williamson and Betty Jackson, to name a few.
This meant we could all afford a bit of luxury and wear a well-known designer's signature style.
Years later, I hosted a night with Debenhams and Fabulous for 250 readers, who were in awe meeting all the designers. It was a real career highlight for me.
In 2004, H&M started rolling out their international designer collabs.
Karl Lagerfeld was first, followed by Roberto Cavalli, Marni, Stella McCartney, Maison Martin Margiela, Sonia Rykiel, Comme des Garçons, Balmain, Versace and many, many more. I could barely contain myself!
Then in 2007, Kate Moss launched her first collection with Topshop, with thousands queuing along London's Oxford Street.
I remember sitting behind Ms Moss and Topshop boss Philip Green at a London Fashion Week Topshop Unique catwalk show.
I had my three-year-old daughter, Frankie, in tow and we both made the news the next day after we were papped behind Kate, my supermodel girl crush.
At the time, the high street was on fire. Who needed designer buys when Mango stocked tin foil trousers just like the designer Isabel Marant ones and you could buy a bit of Barbara Hulanicki's legendary brand Biba from Topshop?
High street stores even started to storm London Fashion week.
Although Topshop Unique had shown collections since 2001, in 2013 River Island showed its first collection in collaboration with global superstar Rihanna, who was flown in by a friend of mine on a private jet. KER-CHING!
A whole new generation of high profile high street collabs followed.
Beyoncé created Ivy Park with Topshop's Philip Green and I even flew to LA for Fabulous to shoot the Kardashian sisters in their bodycon 'Kollection' for Dorothy Perkins.
I am pleased to say they were the absolute dream cover stars.
Fast forward to 2024 and while the high street doesn't look exactly like it did pre-Covid, it has made a gallant comeback.
Stores like M&S, Reserved and Zara, and designer collabs like Victoria Beckham X Mango and Rochelle Humes for Next are giving me all the feels.
The supermarkets have really come into their own, too, smashing it with gorgeous collections that look expensive, but at prices that still allow us to afford the weekly shop.
The last 30 years of high street fashion have been one big adventure for me. Bring on the next 30!