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If I had to imagine myself living through a different era (in terms of fashion at least), the 70s proudly groove onto my mind’s dancefloor, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.

Hence, when I started to see remnants of an era I never lived through, starting to appear in my very own Mother City, I thanked the disco and fashion gods that others perhaps felt the same way as me. From the fabulous flare pants to sequins, wide legs, patterned jumpsuits and platform rocket heel and go-go boots, the 70s is having a moment in 2021, and the Mother City is relishing in it.

Here are the looks you can currently expect to see in our little gem of the world.

Flare Pants

Flares are a take on the iconic Bell Bottoms once rocked back in the day by icons like Farrah Fawcett and almost everyone who was vibing in the decade of groove. Now in 2021, flares are back and flourishing. In the Mother City, I’ve spotted the pants with zest all over- from girls rollerblading on Sea Point prom in them, to the disco kings at Moveable Feast. There’s no pre-requisite for the flare, and whether you’re into patterned or plain desires, the Mother City will love you for it.

 

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Boots, go-go 2021

1970s platform boots meant an elevated heel as RetroWaste recalls, the heel could be a little more modest, or sky-high. Go-go boots were popular in both the 60s and 70s but were largely a defining fashion piece for the 70s. I’ve seen these boots, or at least takes on them, walkin’ all over town, strolling along Kloof and Long street, all the way to Green Point’s cafes. White seems to be the favorite finish, but what would Cape Town be without remixing the footgear without flamboyant outfits that combine, spotlight, and transform the decades gone by?

 

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Sequin suits and metallic shine

As Vogue notes, the “disco-goddess gowns” of the 70s wouldn’t be much without the sparkle and shine of sequins- the freedom of expression of an era. In terms of metallic materials and space, these stemmed from a time when space exploration and sci-fi films were making waves, according to CR Fashion Book.

“The competitive aura surrounding space was exhilarating and of course fashion had to take a stab at it.” In the 2020s, from high fashion to local brands, these looks seem to be back on the rise.

It potentially has something to do with our longing for festivals in my opinion, which have been a long setback due to the pandemic. Regardless, people are still rising as disco kings and queens- even if it’s just in preparation for the festivals to come.

 

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Overalls but make them Capetonian

What were the 70s without overalls? According to Fashion History (and many of our parents), they were a defining look. Indeed, overalls and Cape Town go hand-in-hand, and I for one am always excited to see how they’re dressed up or down. Whether the look is punctuated with a bikini top chilling in Camps Bay or worn to a gorgeous wine farm excursion, overalls almost always have a place in the Mother City.

 

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Picture: Pinterest/ diydoll

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