It is not just a piece of clothing; it is a character. Worn in the song "O Saathi Re," the saree is a sheer, black chiffon with a thin silver border. It is draped perfectly, covering her head like a shroud of tragic love. The red sindoor and heavy silver jhumkas created a visual paradox—celebration meets melancholy. This look is endlessly mimicked but never duplicated.
Playing a struggling lawyer, he ditches the flashy polyester. His style here is muted—tweed blazers, thin knit ties, and clean-shaven intensity. The brown corduroy jacket he wears in the climax is a textbook example of 70s casual menswear.
The double-breasted pinstripe suit. He wears it with a pocket square and a stern expression. This is boardroom chic.
From the disco floors of Natwarlal to the snowy melancholia of Silsila , Amitabh and Rekha didn’t just wear clothes—they wore emotions. And as long as there is a loom in India and a movie screen in a theater, their style will remain immortal. If you enjoyed this visual journey, check out our Pinterest boards dedicated to "Vintage Rekha Sarees" and "Amitabh 70s Menswear." Share this gallery with a vintage Bollywood fan who believes they don’t make stars—or style—like they used to.
As the poetess, Rekha wears the "chiffon saree" draped in the traditional Nivi style but with a modern, clingy fall. Her colors are jewel-toned—emerald green, royal blue, and deep maroon. She introduces the concept of the "poet’s bracelet"—chunky, oxidized silver bangles clanking as she writes shayari.
As the wealthy heiress, Rekha’s wardrobe is a lesson in restraint. She popularized the "georgette saree" with a narrow border. Unlike her later flashy avatars, her hair here is left open or tied in a low bun, accessorized only with pearl studs. The takeaway: Wealth whispers. Her pastel tones contrast beautifully with Amitabh’s earthy browns. Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978): The Black and White Tragedy No discussion of an Amitabh Bachchan Rekha fashion and style gallery is complete without this masterpiece. This film gave us perhaps the most famous costume in Rekha’s career: The Black Saree.
This is perhaps Amitabh’s most stylish role. The woolen muffler worn over a sheer white kurta became a national obsession. He pairs it with a Nehru vest and perfectly tailored trousers. The design is minimal, but the impact is maximal. The gallery would also highlight the "Coke-bottle glasses" he wears as a writer—a rare geek-chic moment for a superstar.
As the brooding Sikandar, Amitabh’s fashion took a rugged turn. The rolled-up sleeves, the loose-fitted trousers, and the silver kada (bracelet) became the uniform for rebellious youth. His kurta in "Rote Rote" is deliberately crumpled, symbolizing his inner turmoil. This was high-fashion masquerading as destitution. Mr. Natwarlal (1979): The Disco Explosion If the earlier portions of the gallery are about tragedy, this wing is about pure, unadulterated fun. The late 70s ushered in Disco.