Soul Train was a landmark music television series that aired from 1971 to 2006, showcasing performances by popular artists, celebrity interviews, and dance segments featuring the studio audience. Created and hosted by Don Cornelius — a former radio DJ who sought to celebrate the diversity and creativity of Black music and culture (see profile) — the program became both a platform for entertainment and a source of inspiration and empowerment for Black communities across the United States and around the world.
One of Soul Train’s most distinctive and influential contributions was its role in popularizing 1970s Black fashion. The decade itself was shaped by major social and political movements — notably Black Power and Black Is Beautiful — that encouraged people of African descent to embrace their identity, heritage, and natural beauty. At the same time, musical innovations in funk, soul, disco, and the early stirrings of hip hop overlapped with fashion, producing styles that were vibrant, expressive, and culturally resonant.
Soul Train captured and reflected these trends. The show highlighted bold colors, striking patterns, varied textures, and a wide range of accessories. African and Afro-Caribbean influences were visible alongside global and futurist aesthetics, producing looks that felt both rooted and forward-looking. Below are some of the key elements of 1970s Black fashion that Soul Train showcased and helped popularize.
The Afro
The afro — a natural, rounded hairstyle — became an iconic symbol of pride, freedom, and beauty during the 1970s. Worn by men and women alike, afros varied in size, shape, and texture and were often shaped and accessorized with picks, combs, beads, and headbands. The hairstyle was as much a political and cultural statement as it was a fashion choice; prominent figures such as Angela Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Diana Ross, and Richard Pryor helped bring the look into the public eye. For background on the hairstyle’s cultural significance, see resources on the afro (more here).
The Dashiki
The dashiki — a colorful, loose-fitting garment that traces its origins to West Africa — became a visible expression of African heritage and solidarity. Often featuring embroidery, bold prints, or symbolic motifs, dashikis were worn by men and women who wanted to connect with ancestral roots while making a contemporary fashion statement. Public figures such as Muhammad Ali, Sidney Poitier, and others wore dashikis as both everyday and ceremonial attire, signaling cultural pride and resistance. Learn more about the dashiki’s history and styles (reference).
Bell-Bottoms
Bell-bottoms — trousers that flare out from the knee to create a bell shape — were wildly popular across gender lines. Often made in denim, corduroy, velvet, or polyester blends, bell-bottoms complemented dance moves and the era’s carefree, funky spirit. Worn by performers and fans alike, they became a signature of the decade’s silhouette; celebrities such as James Brown and David Bowie helped normalize exaggerated, stage-ready shapes in mainstream culture.
Platform Shoes
Platform shoes, with their thick, elevated soles, delivered both height and dramatic effect. Available in leather, suede, glitter, and other finishes, platforms were staples on dance floors and red carpets alike, amplifying the glamour associated with disco and nightlife. Artists like Donna Summer and Elton John — among many others — popularized the look, which combined performance practicality with flamboyant style.
Beyond specific items, 1970s Black fashion embraced individuality, creativity, and a DIY sensibility: clothes were mixed and matched, prints layered, and accessories used to tell personal and political stories. Fabrics ranged from natural fibers to synthetics, and designers and tailors within Black communities experimented with cuts and motifs that reflected cultural pride.
Soul Train’s Influence on Fashion
Soul Train did more than reflect 1970s style — it amplified and shaped it. The program introduced national audiences to emerging trends, designers, and brands, and it influenced mainstream fashion by making Black taste visible and aspirational. Here are several ways the show extended its impact:
The Soul Train Line
The Soul Train Line was a signature dance segment in which audience members formed two lines and danced down the center, showing off moves and outfits. It was a showcase of creativity, individuality, and flair — a televised runway that inspired viewers to dance and to dress with confidence. The Line helped normalize fashion as performance and self-expression.
The Soul Train Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards, an annual event honoring achievements in Black music, television, and film, also became an occasion to celebrate fashion. Attendees used the platform to display daring, elegant, and trendsetting looks, turning the awards into a visible catalog of contemporary style and influence. The awards themselves became part of Soul Train’s broader cultural legacy (more on the awards).
The Soul Train Fashion Show
Special episodes featuring runway-style presentations highlighted emerging and established Black designers and models. These showcases promoted innovation and talent within Black fashion circles and provided exposure to designers who might otherwise have been overlooked by mainstream fashion media.
Conclusion
Soul Train immortalized and celebrated 1970s Black fashion, style, and culture. As a televised forum, it offered inspiration and empowerment to Black people while inviting wider appreciation from diverse audiences. The show’s celebration of beauty, creativity, and cultural pride left a lasting legacy on fashion and popular culture — a legacy that continues to influence designers, performers, and style-conscious audiences today.
