1970s formal dresses, evening gowns, prom dresses, and party wear for most women were very different than those worn by stars and entertainers. The latter wore liquid fabric draped gowns designed by Halston, all-over sequin evening dresses, or sleek and sexy slip dresses, just to name a few.
Real women couldn’t afford those luxuries, instead wearing long evening dresses in the peasant/prairie dress style, halter neck pleated gowns (popular in disco dress), soft Grecian inspired cape dresses, and column shaped lace dresses inspired by the turn-of-the-century elegance.
Here are some photos, first of common evening dresses, prom dresses, and formal gowns followed by short party or disco dresses, and then designer gowns for the stars.
Shop 70s evening and party dresses here.
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- 1970 Empire Waist Prom Dresses
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- 1972 Caftan Evening Gowns/Hostess Sets
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- 1972 Prom Dresses, Ballgown Style
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- 1972 Hippie Prom Dresses
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- 1972 Bridesmaid Dresses with Crochet Trim
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- 1973 Prom Dress
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- 1973 Lace, Pinstripes, and Pink Evening Dresses
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- 1973 Pink is In!
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- 1973 White Jacket Dress and Lace Gown
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- 1973 White and Silver Dresses
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- 1973 White Halter Neck Dress and Hostess Gown with a Tree Print
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- 1973 Short Pleated Skirt Halter Dress with Floral Jacket
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- 1975 Maxi Dresses
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- 1976 Peasant Style Party Dresses
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- 1976 Modest Gowns
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- 1977 Sheer Prairie Style Gowns
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- 1977 Sheer Cape Jacket Gown and Knit Party Wear
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- 1977 Lime Green Tie Jacket Dress, White Lace Gown
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- 1977 Pleated Skirt and Backless Halter Neck Dress with Bolero Jacket
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- 1978 Cape Dress and Jumpsuit
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- 1978 Long Tiered Prairie Dress
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- 1978 Flowy Dresses
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- 1978 Peasant Style vs Sheer Grecian Gown
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- 1978 More Peasant Style
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- 1978 Simple Shapes
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- 1978 Flutter Top or Jacket
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- 1978 Tie-Waist Grecian Robe Effect
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- 1978 Spring Prom Dresses
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- 1979 Sheer Capes and Baloon Sleeves
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- 1979 Cape Gown or Tunic Pantsuit
Designer Gowns
1970s designer dresses were sexy, sexy, sexy! Deep cleavage lines, bias cut draping, metallic and shiny satin fabrics, and dramatic sleeves.
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- Joan Rivers Wears a Caftan Style Gown
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- Charlie’s Angels in Halston Gowns
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- 1978 Halston Dresses
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- Metallic Disco Gown
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- Cher in a Gold Sequin Gown
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- Angie Dickinson Sexy Sequin Gown
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- The Sonny and Cher Show Beaded Sequin Evening Dress
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- Colorblock Black and White Twisted Halter Dress
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- Richard Avedon Lauren Hutton Vogue US August 1973 – Black Evening Slip Dress
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- Marie Helvin by Bailey. Vogue UK 1974 – Sleek Low-Cut Gown
Short Disco or Cocktail Party Dresses
Short dresses were worn during the day, but could also cross over into partywear if the fabrics or design were “romantic” or fun, such as disco dresses in the late 1970s. Jumpsuits, too, were essential party outfits.
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- 1970 Short Pleated Party Dress
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- 1976 Cruising in a Ruffled Party Dress
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- Disco Dresses
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- 1979 Blue Disco Dress
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- 1979 Satin Disco Dress
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- Studio 54, Disco Dancing in Dresses and Jumpsuits
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- 1977 Party with Short or Long Dresses
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- 1978 Soft and Romantic Short Party Dresses
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- 1978 Summer Party Dresses
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- 1978 Jumpsuit Party Outfits
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- 1978 Nylon Knit Party Dresses
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- 1978 Disco in Short Dresses or Jumpsuits
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- 1979 Dancing Dresses
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- 1979 Wrap Ruffled Day or Party Dress
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- 1979 Cocktail Party Dresses
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- 1979 Ruffled Wrap Dress
Evening Accessories
Shoes – Tall strappy heels, for those who can balance in them. Don’t forget nude nylon stockings.
Purses – Small beaded or sequin clutch purses inspired by the Art Deco era.
Jewelry – Minimal. Perhaps some button earrings or hoops. A short or long bead or pearl necklace was always a classic. Arm bangles were popular for a few years as well.
Makeup – Metallic eyeshadow, a deep pink lip, heavy mascara, moderate blush and an all over sun-kissed glow.
Shop 70s Evening Dresses
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Debbie Sessions has been teaching fashion history and helping people dress for vintage themed events since 2009. She has turned a hobby into VintageDancer.com with hundreds of well researched articles and hand picked links to vintage inspired clothing online. She aims to make dressing accurately (or not) an affordable option for all. Oh, and she dances too.
