Tips on What to Wear to a 70s Party
Nothing beats a good party for seeing old friends, making some new ones, and simply having fun. But throw a party theme into the mix, and now you have the makings of an epic event that will be talked about for years to come. One can’t-miss party theme that is sure to be a hit with partygoers is the decade that produced wild clothing styles and memorable tunes: the 1970s.
With the 70s’ righteous combination of catchy music and unique fashion, the keys to having a good time at a 70s party are to let loose and dress the part. This means leisure suits and shirts with huge collars, breaking out the big hairdos and platform shoes, and getting your groove on.
The 70s is a forgotten decade, sandwiched in between the headline-grabbing hippie and anti-war movements of the 60s and the gluttonous excess that defined much of the 80s. But as millennials, Gen Zers (so-called Zoomers), and others are discovering, the 70s is a unique period in American history, and with its distinct brand of style, music, and fashion, has the makings for the ultimate party theme. So keep reading to find out how to party down 70s style.
What is a 70s Party?
A 70s party is a festive gathering where the theme is the 1970s. Partygoers can expect to see people dressed in clothing styles from the 70s and to listen to a heavy dose of music from that time period. If the party host has decided to go all out, the décor may even feature furnishings, artwork, and other elements from what became known as the “Me Decade.”
Why are 70s Parties so Popular?
One big reason why 70s parties are so popular is that they are fun to dress up for, and partygoers will go to great lengths to get into the spirit of the occasion. The 70s are a can’t-miss theme because the over-the-top fashions for both men and women make for memorable outfits that are tailor-made for social media feeds and selfies galore. (More on this later.)
The 1970s was also a unique period as far as the popular mindset. Following the controversial military campaigns and social unrest of the 60s, the 70s was a time of self-realization as people from all walks of life were determined to “find themselves.” And this led to self-expression through rule-breaking fashion choices as well as a free-spirit mentality. With underlying attitudes like these, it is no wonder that the 70s is such a popular party theme.
And then there was the music.
Even if you were not alive during the 1970s, the chances are that you would recognize, and probably can even hum along to, many of the songs that were popular during that time period. Most people associate the 70s with disco, and make no mistake, disco was certainly the king of the airwaves and in dance clubs around the world, but a lot of great party music comes from the 1970s. To differentiate the 70s from the 80s, found out Tips to Dress Like The 80s with Normal Clothes here.
If there is one word to describe 70s music, it would be eclectic. The genres (in addition to the aforementioned disco) that thrived during this decade include:
- Funk
- Hard rock, soft rock, classic rock
- Pop
- R&B
- Soul
The 70s even saw a new genre mature from infancy into a dynamic style of music that would take the world by storm: hip-hop.
The list of musical artists that produced hits during the 1970s is a who’s who of all-time greats. Here is just a sampling of stars and legends that were at the top of their game (and the charts) during the 70s with hit songs that would certainly be on any party playlist, even now:
- ABBA
- Aerosmith
- The Bee Gees
- The Commodores
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Elton John
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Marvin Gaye
- Michael Jackson/The Jackson 5
- Queen
- Stevie Wonder
- The Village People
If music sets the tone for a 70s party, then the outfits are what make it shine. Read on for tips on what to wear to a 70s party.
What Do You Wear to a 70s Party?
Probably the one thing that makes a 70s party so much fun for partygoers to attend is the opportunity to put all style reservations aside and go all-in on the most eyebrow-raising, jaw-dropping outfits imaginable. From hairdos to footwear, 70s fashions are not only lighthearted reminders of a time that seems both so distant and yet not so long ago but are also the ultimate forms of expression, even if only for one evening.
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Ladies’ Fashions for a 70s Party
Over 40 years after the “Me Decade” came to an end, 70s fashion choices are back in style and in a big way. So popular are 70s-inspired garments that one need not even venture down to the local vintage clothing store to secure an authentic 70s outfit, but rather, head over to your favorite fashion outlet or even hop online to score groovy threads.
Here are some genuine, can’t-miss looks to wear to a 70s party:
- Halter tops – also known as bra tops, this is an iconic 70s garment, one that embodies the signature free-spiritedness of the 1970s and the establishment-busting clothing styles that resulted
- Bell-bottoms and flare pants – of all the clothing styles from the 70s, bell-bottoms and flare pants may very well be the most quintessential, with their hip-hugging contours and, of course, the definitive gaping pant leg openings
- Crocheted garments – 70s styles are not only about bright colors and bold lines, but they are also about unconventional materials and weaves, including most notably crocheted tops and bottoms that lend a homely, retro vibe to any piece
- Footwear – on the topic of iconic 70s footwear, two items come to mind, platform shoes and go-go boots (knee-length), but clogs are another can’t-miss option for making a grand entrance and hitting the dance floor in style
Add The Best Makeup to Wear with a Red Dress to stand out from the crowd. 70s fashion is an extraordinary tapestry of unconventional styles and quirky designs. Whichever option you decide to go with, dressing the part for a 70s party is more than a bold fashion statement; it is a proclamation that when it comes to self-expression and letting go of inhibitions, you’re all-in.
Men’s Fashions for a 70s Party
The 1970s not only introduced design concepts that went against virtually every established fashion rule, but it also re-defined the boundaries of women’s and men’s fashions, and in many cases, obliterated them. Case in point, the so-called Peacock Revolution introduced new cuts and silhouettes for men’s clothing and also brought bold colors and vibrant patterns into the fold.
And like 70s-inspired ladies wear, designs for men from the “Me Decade” are enjoying a strong resurgence, including these unforgettable looks that are perfectly suited for a 1970s-themed party:
- Leisure suits – with their super-wide lapels and flared pants to match, leisure suits are the definitive 70s outfit and a can’t-miss choice for 70s-themed festivities (just make sure it is 100% polyester)
- Long collared-shirts – another iconic look of the “Me Decade” is shirts with long, pointy collars that, when worn with a leisure suit, are stylishly layered on top of the lapels
- High-waisted, bell-bottomed pants – 70s-era pants not only sport their signature flared bottoms, but they also feature very high waists to create a truly distinct look
- Bold patterns and colors – the Peacock Revolution retired the old guard as far as color schemes and patterns for men’s fashions and opened the door to rainbow hues, loud patterns, and even fashion taboos like vertically striped pants
Whether your 70s style icon is John Travolta’s character from Saturday Night Fever, a younger Elton John, or even Dirty Harry, there are options galore in choosing your 70s party ensemble.
Tips on What to Wear to a 70s Party
Turning heads at a 70s party is a matter of recognizing the signature styles that make fashions from the “Me Decade” so unique, recognizable, and fun to wear. Assembling a groovy outfit is all about having an open mind and relaxing any fashion-related reservations that you may harbor toward wild colors and loud patterns.
And hopefully, you have no aversion toward synthetic fabrics, oversized sunglasses, and outrageous footwear. Here are a few more helpful tips on what to wear to a 70s party:
Polyester is Your 70s Party Best Friend
Among the many established fashion trends that 70s fashion bucked was its open embracing of cheap, synthetic fabrics, namely polyester. This miracle textile was used for a myriad of garments ranging from casual wear to formal wear, and best of all, they were affordable.
When choosing an outfit for a 70s party, a good place to start is by making sure that whatever the garment, those threads are made from polyester. Throw bright colors, vibrant patterns, or stripes into the mix, and you will be partying in true 70s style.
Take Your 70s Outfit to the Next Level with Accessories
Sometimes the difference between a good outfit and one that is the center of everyone’s attention at a 70s party is paying attention to the little details. This is where 70s-inspired accessories can elevate an ensemble to another level. Here are some notable examples:
- Sunglasses – the larger and the more colorful, the better
- Headbands and scarves – a fashion holdover from the hippie movement in the 60s, headbands, and scarves are simple but profound ways to tie all the elements of a 70s outfit together
- Jewelry – 70s jewelry styles range from large hoop earrings to handmade bead necklaces, and these small details can elevate any outfit
Another accessory that captures the essence of the 70s fashion is an oversized beret, which despite being an understated piece, can add massive style points.
Complete Your 70s Look with the Right Hairstyle
When it comes to 70s parties and showing up in style, it’s not just about choosing the right outfit. Capturing the quintessential 70s look is also about wearing the right hairstyle. So what were the most popular hairdos during the “Me Decade?” Here are a few pointers:
- The Shag – perhaps no hairstyle epitomizes the anti-establishment sentiment of the 70s than the deconstructed look of the shag
- The Wedge – this profoundly simple look was made famous by 1970s ice skating icon Dorothy Hamill and millions followed suit
- The Perm – wavy, voluminous hair was hugely popular during the 70s, and it is difficult to say who spent more time perming their hair, women or men
- The Feathered Look (aka the Farrah Fawcett) – this may very well be the classic 70s hairstyle, as popularized by Farrah Fawcett of Charlie’s Angels fame and featuring cascading layers of hair, with each strand seemingly perfectly placed
Rocking a righteous hairstyle for a 70s party does not require hours spent at the hair salon, nor does it need to break the bank. In fact, as a testament to the huge popularity of the styles and fashions from the “Me Decade,” there is a huge variety of 70s-themed wigs available online, so arriving at a 70s party with a perfectly permed “do,” or an iconic shag cut is simply a matter of putting the desired look into your shopping cart.
Final Thoughts
A 70s party is not your ordinary social gathering. Its electricity derives from the collective energy of partygoers, and much of that comes from the wild and colorful outfits inspired by the “Me Decade.”
From leisure suits to striped bell-bottom pants to platform shoes, 70s styles not only capture the spirit of experimentation and non-conformity that mark that unique period in history, but they can also elevate any party to a major event. In a word, the right outfit can turn everything groovy.
