I wasn’t born in a disco, but it sure feels like it when I open my jewelry box. I’ve been on a 70s kick for a while. Big shine. Big stones. Big mood. But do these pieces feel good on a regular day? I wore them. I ran errands. I typed emails. I danced in my kitchen. Here’s the real stuff.
If you’re hunting for a detailed checklist of which pieces survived real-world wear, my field notes live in this companion write-up on 70s jewelry trends that actually worked on me.
If you want a quick crash course in the era’s gleeful excess, Super70s has a rabbit hole’s worth of images and stories that make the jewelry come alive.
Need even more retro inspo? Check out this deep dive into 70s jewellery trends for a colorful tour of the decade’s standout pieces.
The Disco Chain Thing (Yes, It Tangled)
My first 70s moment was a vintage 14k herringbone chain I found at a small shop. It lay flat and looked like liquid gold. It also flipped and kinked if I moved fast. I wore it with a plain white tee and wide jeans. Gorgeous. But I had to store it flat, or it creased. Hair snag? Sometimes. Worth it? For date night, yes.
I also tried a chunky zodiac medallion on a rope chain. Mine says “Cancer,” with a little crab. It’s heavy. It hits my collarbone with a tiny thud when I walk. That sound weirdly made me smile. Like a secret drum.
Small tip I learned the hard way: lotion first, necklace second. Or the chain turns dull fast.
Boho Stones That Feel Like Road Trips
The 70s loved natural stones—turquoise, tiger’s eye, malachite. Same. I wear a small turquoise ring with a sawtooth bezel by a Diné silversmith. I bought it from a gallery that lists the artist. It’s light, smooth, and still bright after years. It goes with everything, even sneakers.
I also tested a tiger’s eye pendant on brown leather. It’s got that silky swirly look. Warm, not flashy. My kid called it “the caramel rock,” which is dead right. It sits nice on the chest and doesn’t bounce around much.
One note: I borrowed a vintage squash blossom necklace for a weekend wedding. Beautiful. Also heavy. Like, shoulder-rolling heavy after an hour. I loved the photos. I did not love the neck ache. If you want that look for a long day, try a smaller naja pendant instead.
For a catalog of the decade’s most iconic stones and silhouettes, this guide to 70s jewellery trends breaks them all down with styling tips.
Puka Shells and Macramé: Beach Brain, City Life
I wore a white puka shell choker for a whole July. It felt soft and cool at first. But sunscreen turned the cord a bit yellow. I rinsed it in the sink. Fine again, but not bright white. With a linen shirt and sandals? A whole mood. With a blazer? Too “I got lost on the way to the pier.”
I also tested a macramé bracelet with wooden beads. It was light and earthy. It did catch on a knit sweater sleeve once. I heard the snag and froze like a statue. No harm done, but I learned: smooth clothes work best.
Big Cuffs, Big Names, Big Feelings
I wear a vintage silver cuff shaped like a bone form, from the 70s. It hugs the wrist. It’s bold but clean. I slide it on my left arm, where it fits better. It feels cool at first, then warm. I’ve worn it with a black turtleneck and with a tank. Both work. It does catch on open-weave knits. So I keep it far from crochet.
I also spent a month with a pre-owned Love bracelet. It’s sleek. It locks on. I liked the smooth oval fit, but sleeping in it bugged me. I felt it when I typed too. It looks chic, but it’s a commitment. If you fidget, think twice.
A friend let me try her nail bracelet for a day. It looked amazing in photos. The end pressed into my wrist when I rested my hand on the desk. A beauty, but not my everyday piece.
And the four-leaf clover pendant style from that era? I borrowed a small one from my aunt. Creamy motif, thin chain. It reads “quiet lucky.” Wore it to a coffee meeting. Two compliments in 10 minutes. That never hurts.
Signet Rings, ID Bracelets, and a Little Attitude
I thrifted a stainless ID bracelet that feels very 70s. It’s solid. It clinks on the desk when I write. The sound says “I mean business,” which I like on grumpy Mondays. But it ran big. I had a jeweler remove a link. Now it sits right and doesn’t spin.
Those subtle power accessories paired shockingly well with the flared trousers and printed shirts I tested when I wore 70s male attire for a week, proof that the jewelry and the clothes can vibe together without feeling like a costume.
I wear a small gold signet on my pinky too. Smooth face, no monogram yet. It’s a tiny power move. Not loud, just firm.
Plastic, Mood Rings, and Pure Fun
Let’s talk playful. I wore oversized lucite hoops in amber. They’re light and retro. They don’t pull my lobes down. I also tried a mood ring from a random mall shop. It shifted from blue to green when I made tea. Cute party trick. After washing dishes, it left a faint ring on my finger, so I take it off for water now.
One more: enamel flower pins on a denim jacket. I got two—orange and mustard. They scream 70s in the best way. They also scratch if you toss them in a bag. Keep a soft pouch handy.
What I’d Wear Again vs. What I’d Skip
- Keep: flat gold chain, small turquoise ring, silver bone cuff, signet pinky ring
- Keep sometimes: zodiac medallion, puka choker, enamel pins
- Skip for daily wear: very heavy squash blossom, nail bracelet at a keyboard
How I Style It So It Doesn’t Fight My Clothes
Here’s the thing. One hero piece is enough. I pick one: big cuff or big chain, not both. I mix metals a little, but I repeat one tone so it looks calm. If I go boho with stones, I keep the outfit simple. Jeans. White shirt. Maybe clogs if I’m feeling it.
Storage matters. I lay herringbone chains flat. I use small anti-tarnish strips for silver. I wipe stones with a soft cloth after sweat. Shells get a quick rinse after beach days. Leather cords stay far from perfume.
If you buy Native pieces, buy from the artist or a trusted gallery. It’s respect and it lasts.
Final Thoughts (And a Tiny Confession)
I thought 70s style would feel like a costume. It didn’t. With the right piece, it felt warm, bold, and human. A little glam, a little road dust. You know what? That mix suits real life.
The decade’s flair for fearless display didn’t stop at fashion; it spilled straight into relationships and bedroom culture. If you’re curious about how that “show it off” energy evolved into a consensual kink, this primer on candaulisme unpacks the history, lays out clear consent checkpoints, and offers modern etiquette so you can explore or simply understand the practice safely. Similarly, that anything-goes attitude still pulses through San Francisco’s leather fairs and nightlife—if meeting adventurous locals during the festivities sounds tempting, a quick browse of Backpage Folsom puts curated classifieds, verified profiles, and up-to-the-minute event info right at your fingertips so you can dive in with confidence.
Will I keep wearing the herringbone? Yes, for nights out. The turquoise ring? Daily. The heavy showstoppers? Weddings, photos, good stories.
And if you’re shopping for someone who remembers these styles the first time around, I’ve rounded up gifts for boomers I actually gave—and they still use that balance nostalgia with everyday practicality.
If a piece makes you smile when it swings or shines, that’s your sign. Go simple on the outfit. Let the jewelry talk. And if your chain thunks your collarbone when you walk—well, that’s part of the charm.