Fashion is always repeating itself (hence why I hate throwing things away), and the decade we’ll be seeing again in a big way this year? The ’70s! But have no fear, it’s not quite your parents’ disco fever, white leisure suit, platform-shoes-with-fish-in-the-heels 1970s. The updated, 21st century take on ’70s fashion is much sexier…and with much better fabrics. (See ya never, polyester!)

There are so many ways to channel the disco era without feeling like an extra from Saturday Night Fever. The key is opting for one or two ’70s-inspired pieces, and not an entire outfit, to keep your look modern.

Ready to travel back in time?

Wide-legged pants are big (literally) this year. Many of them have a higher raise, which is a flattering way to disguise any of that freshman 15 (or Top Chef 20) you may have acquired recently. They also look hot with a shirt tucked in. Pretty blouses with billowy sleeves and pretty patterns are another way to incorporate the ’70s trend into your wardrobe. And if you want to show a lot of skin, hot pants are the way to go. Yes, ladies, they’re back, and, surprisingly, quite adorable! (Editor’s Note: just in case you need it, here are some good workouts to get your legs ready for ‘em.)

So let’s get in our fashion DeLorean and head back to the ’70s. Here are 15 pieces to get you started.

[Click on the image for the shopping information!]

Each season the fashion mags publish their “Must Have Fashion” lists and each season I’m left drooling over Marc, Louis, and McQueen, wishing that my bank account was a little fuller. OK, a lot fuller. And it’s worse in the summer. Summer trends are among my favorite: the sunglasses, bikinis, embellished tank tops, and all the wonderful accessorizing opportunities!  It’s a party in my head… until I hit that one item that makes me want to vomit.

It always happens:

The go-go boot trend of ’03.
Pastel plaids of ’98.
Tech-Vests of ’01

Horrors!

Well, 2010 has rolled out quite a few tragedies of its own and instead of drooling, I’m left wondering WTF designers are smoking this season. Get ready to avert your eyes.

Hot pants

Got legs for days and a butt like Jessica Biel?  Then rock on with your booty shorts.  Just an average girl hanging out at the beach?  Opt for something that fully covers both cheeks.  This is one of those trends that works better on the runway than in real life.  And if you’re one of those stubborn fashion slaves who insists on being oh-so current, might I suggest buying some Hanes granny panties, hiking them way up and throwing a t-shirt on?

Over-the-knee and thigh high socks.

If you want to channel the cast of Clueless, buy a feathered pen, but for the love of hot weather, please leave the knee-highs to the Catholic school girls.  The inevitable leg sweat and 90-degree July heat both put a damper and a sweatstain on this questionable look.  I’m pretty sure Karl Lagerfeld didn’t intend on back-of-the-knee pit stains to become a subsequent trend.

Jellies

Well, since you’ve already got sweaty legs from those socks you’re wearing, might as well get the moist feet to match.  Nothing screams “my toes need deodorant” quite like rubber shoes.  They were cute when you were nine, not so much at nineteen.  Try again, fashionistas.

Fringe

I get it; it’s a modern take on flapper-chic.  But as long as you’re not going to Gatsby’s for summer cocktails, leave this trend back in the store for someone else to buy.  Mark my words, in two months you’ll look back at that Facebook picture where you’re swinging your hips as your fringed dress fans out around you, and want to die.  Un-tag.

1. Hot Pants. After watching Katy Perry strut her girl-smooching stuff at the 2008 MTV VMAs, I couldn’t get over her outfit. While her hair and makeup was flawless, she was sporting some seriously short-shorts. Maybe it’s because my thighs would look horrendous, or maybe its because I just think shorts that look like underwear are not flattering on anyone, but hot pants are a definite no.

2. The Nicole Richie Headband. I don’t mind pushing your hair back when you need to get it out of your face, but that headband over your hair, Woodstock look that Nicole Richie and the like sport all the time, just doesn’t work for me.

3. Baggy Jeans and Heels. You can thank Katie Holmes for this one. Baggy, loose fitting jeans are for men, ladies. I’m not saying we need to wear ‘em skin tight, but the fall-off-your-hips look and saggy ass is so NOT flattering.

4. Scarves in the Summer. 100 degrees in LA and people are wearing scarves with T-shirts. I don’t get it. Scarves are for the winter peeps, leave ‘em there.

5. Gladiator Shoes. I like me a little dominatrix look, definitely, very sexy, but not when they’re over the top. Some of these shoes are just wayyyyy too much. Too much leather. Too many studs. Too high of a heel. Tone it done and let it work.

What are some trends YOU despise???

[photo courtesy of urbanog.com]

Rompers are for the fashion weirdos, like Chloe Sevigny, but I feared they might start popping up on the general public as well. “You are not five years old”, I thought to myself. “You do not need a one-piece playsuit”.

Well, a year came and went, and now Spring is here and once again the romper is prevalent in stores such as Urban Outfitters and Brooklyn Industries. I popped into my favorite thrift store a few weekends ago with my best friend, and tucked in among the racks of dresses, I spied it: a red velor American Apparel romper. “I’m going to try this on, just to see how ridiculous it looks” I said, adding it to my pile of finds.

I tried it on and emerged from the dressing room, expecting my friend to burst into laughter. She didn’t.

“It’s…kind of cute, actually”. I had a look in the mirror. The shorts portion was way too short, but generally the concept made sense–it was like a dress, but without the awkward flashing risk. I imagined myself romping through fields, sun shining down on me and my onesie.

WHAT AM I DOING?! I stopped myself. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BUY A ROMPER.

But buy a romper I did, consoling myself with the price ($8–I love my local thrift store!), and pretending I bought it as a kind of joke, like “look at how silly this is!”

A few days later, my best friend confided in me. “Sarah”, she said sheepishly, “I kind of want a romper”. Still, we couldn’t really get beyond the idea that rompers were silly–it’s like we wanted them for amusement value rather than actual functionality. We went to Urban Outfitters and tried on the same romper, laughing at ourselves in the mirror. But in our respective dressing rooms, we both thought the same thing: this is actually kind of cute.

She recently bought a sleeveless romper at Brooklyn Industries, and I’m actually considering buying one that can be worn outside my apartment (my red velor one is kind of like wearing hot pants…I wouldn’t even wear it to check the mail). Summer gets hot, and I get lazy–the romper is the perfect solution. You can stay cool without the fear of any Marylin Monroe undies-exposing moments, and there is no coordinating necessary: just put it on and go.

If you can get over the inherent silliness of it, I urge you to go buy a romper this season. And if you see two carefree girls romping around Prospect Park in Brooklyn this Summer, you’ll know who they are.

The Setting: an American Apparel store in Brooklyn

The Characters: 2 girls, about 13 years old, and me

And, scene:

I am waiting to try on some cropped cotton pants, which will be perfect for the new gym I joined.

“Ugh, this is SO tight, I look SO fat!” says one 13 year old girl. She and her friend are occupying the only dressing rooms.

She emerges, in a backless leotard and a skin-tight mini skirt.

Her friend emerges as well, in gold lame hot pants.

“No, you look cute! I like it!”

“But like, you can see my back.”

“Yeah but it’s so cute! My ass looks huge in these,” she says, as they stand in the open dressing room, preening and posing in front of the harshly lit mirror. I am still waiting, but they don’t seem to notice, instead gazing like Narcissus at the river. How inappropriate, I think, that 13-year-old girls are trying on gold lame hot pants. Then I look around and see the life-sized photographs of underage models staring down at me. They look drugged out. They are overly sexualized. Suddenly I don’t want the pants anymore. I throw them down and leave.

The Setting: an American Apparel store in Manhattan

The Characters: Me and a friend

And, scene:

It is Friday night and my friend and I are tipsy. We have just finished a mostly-liquid dinner, and the night air is much colder than we thought it would be.

“I need more layers!” I exclaim.

“I need a hat”, says my friend.

Luckily for us, the American Apparel store on the Lower East Side is open until 11pm. For fun, I try on some ridiculous faux-denim skin-tight almost-up-to-my-boobs leggings. They, as expected, look hilarious. I end up buying a blue long sleeve shirt, which will go perfectly under the dress I’m wearing. As I peruse the store, I notice something besides the models this time: I have that shirt, in 2 colors. “I like that dress”, my friend says. Oh, I have that too. I also have 2 pairs of these leggings with the buttons on the side, and 3 ribbed tank tops. Don’t forget 1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of leg warmers, 1 over-sized long-sleeve shirt and a halter dress.

Whoa. Do I have an addiction to American Apparel? The store whose billboards make me want to vom? How can this be!? I’m so embarrassed…

I discovered this a common sentiment among my friends. “Yeah, Dov Charney is so creepy, but their shirts come in so many colors!”

“I know, those models are gross, but I can’t live without AA tights…”

“They make a dress, that’s also a sweatshirt!”

So I’m torn. Girls, help me out. How do you feel about shopping at a store whose labor practices/advertising/environmental policy you don’t agree with? Do you boycott stores you’d otherwise shop at because of something they do? Is it even possible to avoid those evil corporate practices?

My family gave up shopping at WalMart ages ago, but we can still get our cheap box store fix at Target. If I boycott American Apparel but shop at say, H&M or Forever 21, am I just trading one evil for another?

Oh the brightly colored, many layered dilemma…