What to Wear to a 70s Party
Sophie Diego
Table of Contents
At one point in our lives, we all felt the Dancing Queen fever. Of course, not all of us were born in the 1970s—but considering that culture has a way of reviving itself, it seems that disco and tie-dye have never left.
It was the decade of John Travolta’s singing career, the age of Charlie’s Angels, and the year that the Beatles broke up. We celebrated, cried, and championed basic human rights. The 70s was a period of change—and naturally, fashion would follow as well.
‘Twas the decade of bell-bottoms, platforms, and afros. It didn’t matter if we were hitting the disco or attending the annual Woodstock festival—we just loved making a statement.
Of course, we’re a long way from a ‘Saturday Night Fever’ revival, but I see no reason why we should let the 1970s die. After all, fashion has a way of coming back, especially with the onslaught of disco-inspired music created by Dua Lipa and Silk Sonic.
If you’re planning a disco-themed get-together, why not go all out in fashion? For those in need of ideas, we’re counting down 14 ideas of what to wear to a 70s party. From wide-legged flare pants to oversized sunnies, we’ve got your back when it comes to style. You just need to supply the ingredients for fondue and crepes, Suzette.
What is a 70s Party
Disco has died, but don’t take it as a reason to stand idly. If you can’t find a nightclub near you, why not host one at home?
Honestly, organizing a 70s themed party is the only way we can celebrate the age of Diana Ross and Pink Floyd—considering we’re still living in COVID-19 times. For those at a loss of where to start, here are some general things to consider during party planning.
A 70s themed party should celebrate the fashion, music, food, and decor of the decade. Your playlist should include hits such as Y.M.C.A, Stayin’ Alive, and Boogie Wonderland. For decoration, party planners should consider fringe, rattan accents, and hanging records.
Food is where you can absolutely have fun, as the 1970s were known for fondue, cheese & pineapple, and the appropriately named—Watergate salad. You don’t have to supply the costumes, but let your guests know that it’s strictly 70s-themed garb.
History of The 70s (and Why We Do 70s Parties)
It’s hard to condense the 70s into a small, summarized paragraph—but we’ll try our best. For most, it brought a butt-load of iconic music. From the Bee Gees to Elton John, the 1970s was a decade of endless hits.
Music had a direct effect on fashion, considering that we looked up to models such as Fleetwood Mac and the Ramones for style inspiration. We were rocking bell-bottoms, tie-dye, and corduroy everything. Some experts point to the 1970s as the birth of hippie and boho fashion.
Of course, the 1970s were known for The Gay Liberation Movement, the Watergate Scandal, and the Vietnam War. We won’t get into the political specifics, but you should know that it had a direct effect on fashion and music.
Given that the 1970s was the decade of disco, funk, and counterculture, you can probably see why some party-goers pay homage to this iconic decade.
What to Wear to a 70s Party
The 70s was a…questionable decade for fashion. Don’t get me wrong, it had its moments. We’re still rocking bell-bottoms, platform heels, and tie-dye shirts. But, every ‘style-recycle’ has its downside.
I pray to God that we never see vinyl jumpsuits and patterned gowns sometime in the near future.
Need some outfit inspo? We’ll teach how to look like a ‘Queen,’ and not ‘John Tra-volting.’ Below, we’ll show you what to wear to a 70s party. You’ll also find some ideas concerning hair, makeup, and other iconic styles at the time.
7 Outfit Ideas for a 70s Party for Women
Silk and psychedelic prints were the bread and butter of the 1970s. If you’re heading off to a 70s-themed party, it would be a disservice not to consider these two trends.
For those in the mood for something more elegant, sophisticated, and seemingly inspired by Diana Ross, why not try this outfit on for size?
Featuring a two-piece composed of a scarf-style top and a midi skirt, this sultry ensemble is the glammed-up version of Boogie Wonderland. Don’t forget to add some gold-tinted earrings for an added accent.
Nothing screams the 1970s more than flower power. This bright ensemble comes with high-waisted checkered pants, an orange cardigan, and some oversized sunnies to help counterbalance the wildness of this look.
The bottoms will definitely turn some heads—but we feel that the real star of the show is the top. Offered with an exaggerated collar with bright pink fur trim, it’s the sort of outfit you’d wear to a disco.
Acid trips are not for kids, but you can certainly have fun when it comes to fashion. Psychedelic in print, this mini dress features a mesmerizing pattern of green, blue, and orange swirls.
It’s an adorable outfit that keeps things light and playful, especially with the addition of the fur trim on the sleeves.
Cinched and gathered at the waist, this dress is meant for party people only. If you really want to liven up those 70s vibes, why not add some platform heels and Twiggy-style eyelashes?
In need of something more comfortable? No worries; the ‘what to wear to a 70s party’ question can easily be answered with an oversized knit sweater and some bell bottoms. Loose in silhouette, this ensemble captures the vibrancy of the decade while staying true to simplistic shapes.
Exaggerated, relaxed, and definitely comfortable, this fit features a psychedelic print and orange pants. The shoes, of course, are not intrinsic to the 1970s, but you can quickly remedy this by adding some platform heels. In need of hairstyle ideas? We suggest donning a shaggy, layered look popularized by Farrah Fawcett.
Colorful in print, this hippie-themed ensemble should definitely be in your ‘what to wear to a 70s party’ brainstorming process. It showcases a tight-fitting silhouette composed of color block panels in earth tones.
Complemented with white sheer flower power sleeves, we highly recommend donning this look at your next disco-themed gala. The oversized glasses are a must, with the addition of super feathered hair.
The 1970s were all about jumpsuits. Iconic? Most definitely, with the exception of vinyl one-pieces, of course. For those on board with the overall trend, we suggest fashioning this playful look.
Composed of a brown corduroy dungaree with sunshine stripes, it’s further accentuated with an orange turtleneck and Twiggy-style eyeliner. It’s not pictured in the photo, but we suggest finishing your ensemble with some disco-themed platform heels.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is ultimately what to wear to a 70s party.
Let me get one thing straight: head-toe flower power means turtleneck tops paired with floor-length pants and dresses. It doesn’t apply to this outfit, which features an open-neck silhouette to help break the monotony of the power.
Form-fitting and flattering for disco-themed parties, this is something you should totally consider if you’re wondering what to wear to a 70s party. Of course, no look is complete with a pair of booties and sunnies.
7 Outfit Ideas for a 70s Party for Men
The exaggerated collar shirt paired with full-blown chest hair is not a look everyone can pull off. If you’re looking for something more subtle and conservative, we suggest trying on this OOTD out for size.
Featuring a pair of high-waisted bell-bottoms, a striped button-down, and a cool leather jacket, this is the best way to iconize 70’s men’s fashion in a more contemporary take. For accessories, we suggest some oversized glasses and a pair of Oxfords.
Considered part of YOOX’s 2019 runway edit, this 70s’ inspired designer look is composed of green suede pants, a yellow plaid trench coat, and a flower-power esque button-down underneath.
It’s a cohesive look that marries earthy tones together, which is a great option for those not keen on bright and bold colors. Accentuated with brown heeled loafers, we highly suggest donning some Ringo Starr-inspired specs as an added accessory.
The simplest way to answer the ‘what to wear to a 70s party’ question is to wear a turtleneck. Considered the go-to top for most men in the disco era, several trendsetters paired it with a collared shirt and high-waisted pants.
You’re free to choose alternating colors, but we recommend opting for earthy tones if you intend on wearing this look outside of the party. Best paired with leather heels and accent jewelry, it’s the Saturday Night Fever fit of your dreams.
Most of us associate the sweater vest with cottage-core ‘bookish’ fashion. On the flip side, this knitted top was the hottest accessory of the 1970s.
Intrinsic to counterculture and hipster fashion, you should definitely consider donning your grandma’s vest for your next disco get-together.
Accentuated with a turtleneck tee and some flared black pants, it’s a groovy look to fashion for those wondering what to wear to a 70s party.
Need more funk to your fit? We’ve got you covered. For those wondering what to wear to a 70s party, we suggest wearing an earthy brown vest, a groovy green button-up, a tie, and matching pants.
The bedazzled belt and the oversized sunnies are a must if you’re channeling your inner John Travolta. Finished off with a hipster-esque beret, it’s the perfect look to wear boogie-ing.
Since most of our ‘what to wear to a 70s party’ outfits consisted of earthy tones, how about we include a pop of color for a change? This ensemble features a pair of form-fitting lavender bell-bottoms matched with a chevron-style sweater.
Painted with yellows and greens, this ultra-flattering look will automatically put you in a disco mood. For accessories, we suggest a beaded necklace, platform kicks, and a pair of exaggerated sunnies.
Wearing bedazzled belts on top of sweater vests and shirts was definitely…a look back in the 1970s. Whether you find it fashionable or a styling sin is totally up to you—but I think we can both agree that this outfit would fly on Instagram.
Dressed in clay tones with a classic button-up shirt, this ensemble pays homage to the earthy tones celebrated in the 1970s. The dark pants are a must if you want to keep things super casual.
How to Choose The Best 70s Party Outfits
Cheesy fashion is hard to shop for, especially if you’re hunting in places such as Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
We suggest hitting up your local thrift store for those looking to save money and time. It’s the best place to find vintage clothing, and you’ll have a better chance of finding 70s-inspired fits.
Of course, bell-bottoms and collared shirts aren’t difficult to discover at ‘regular’ shops but bear in mind that it’ll cost more when buying new ones.
For thrifters, we suggest considering 3 vital factors when shopping: price, quality, and material. Naturally, second-hand shops are the cheapest option, but some consignment stores offer heftier prices for rare finds.
If you do decide to invest in a more expensive fit, you should assess its construction and durability. The 70s were all about silks, corduroy, velvets, and suedes—which are all high-quality fabrics.
Vintage pieces will obviously show some wear and tear, but if it provides the same ‘give’ and silhouette, it’s definitely worth a try.
How to Style your 70s Party Outfit
The 1970s was all about celebration and fun. Naturally, your outfit should embody the same vibe. For those unfamiliar with the traditional silhouette and patterns of the time, we’ll discuss some common themes intrinsic to disco-ing and boogie-ing. That way, you’ll have a better time answering the ‘what to wear to a 70s party’ query.
- Have fun with bright colors: the 1970s loved print and pattern, so you should certainly include this in your ensemble. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with alternating colors and hues!
- Flower power is in: You don’t have to dress head to toe in floral garb, but it’s recommended that you don some peonies in your final look. This could be through a simple button-down or a pair of pants.
- The oversized sunnies: As you’ve probably already noticed, the 1970s was the period of exaggerated frames. It’s the best way to balance out the wild vibes of your outfit.
- Platform heels: Worn by boys and girls alike, all 70s inspired fits were paired with chunky platforms. Plus, it’s a great way to add some height if you’re below 5’3”.
- The iconic peace sign: For those who can’t manage to find a single pair of high-waisted bell-bottoms, we suggest donning a peace sign necklace as a last resort.
Fashion Tips to Avoid With your 70s Party Outfits
For those who confidently answered the ‘what to wear to a 70s party’ question, it’s time to address some styling tips to avoid. Yes, the 1970s was an iconic year for clothing, but the word ‘iconic’ can mean good and bad.
If you want to boogie clear of the fashion police, here are some general no-no’s to consider.
- The bare-breasted button-down: I’m all for the ‘no shaving’ movement, but sometimes letting it ‘free’ can invite some unwanted chills during the cold season. Keeping it conservative is often the best approach to fashion.
- Top to bottom floral: we’ve all seen those ugly bridesmaid dresses of the 1970s. Wearing patterns from head-to-toe isn’t a good look, as it hides your figure and makes you look like a floating head in family pictures.
- Afro wigs: This is a touchy area to discuss, but basically—you don’t want to be a perpetrator of cultural appropriation. Your Diana Ross-inspired costume should just be about the clothing itself and not ‘the entire look.’
- Crochet everything: considering that DIY knitwear is making a comeback, I wouldn’t be surprised if grandma sweater vests were the ‘it’ piece in fashion. It’s a super tacky look, especially if it’s form-fitting and long.
- The mullet: I’m 100% certain that only Miley Cyrus can pull this look off. Let’s respectively leave the mullet in the 1970s.
Best Places to Buy 70s Party Outfits
As we mentioned before, the best place to buy 70s-inspired clothing is to hit up your local thrift store. But, for those who are miles away from their nearest second-hand boutique, here are some alternatives to consider:
- Poshmark
- Etsy
- Urban Outfitters
- Amazon
- Free People
- Depop
Final Thoughts
If the 1800s was the age of ultra-conservatism, and the early 2000s a period of Much Music culture, I think it’s fair to say that the 1970s was the decade of disco self-expression. There’s a reason why we’re seeing a revival of psychedelic prints, bell-bottoms, and knitwear.
It was a playful and experimental time in fashion, where style was relatively genderless. Men and women alike could wear form-fitting outfits in bright patterns without being judged. That was ultimately the beauty of the 1970s.
While we can’t travel back to the age of young John Travolta and Diana Ross, we can at least pay homage by hosting a fantastic disco-themed get-together. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll know what to wear to a 70s party!
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