Fashion History

In the 1974 costume history images below you can see a variety of coat styles typical of the mid 1970s. These images reflect classic clothes of the era and were probably directed at woman of 25+. At the same time fashion history had many hippy influences in dress. However although the 1970s is often depicted as a hippy fashion era the truth is that in many conventional circumstances many people had to wear what was considered conventional dress to work. More outlandish hippy looks were often kept for out of office hours, travelling and holidays. These fashion designs of 1974 women's coats are typical of garments worn in daily professional life at work, although the hats were less likely to be worn unless it was very cold.
Ladies and girls still wore coats both summer and winter. Women would generally own both a winter coat and also a summer coat for cooler evenings. Shorter reefer jackets, car coats, suede or leather jackets, denim or swing jersey jackets had grown in popularity as more casual wear became usual. By the late 70s shorter quilted padded jackets were an acceptable alternative to a tailored coat as car use increased.