70s Outfits – 70s Style Ideas for Women

There is more to 1970s clothing than bell-bottom pants and disco shirts. Take a look at these authentic 70s outfits for women and create your own 70s party outfit. We feature it all: from casual tops and shorts to hippie shirts and jeans to dresses for the office and even jumpsuits for the disco dance floor.  Explore the 70s fashion trends that are making a comeback today and find out where to buy them online.

For men’s outfit ideas, look here.

What to wear to a 70s party?

1. Flares or bell bottom jeans with a 70s style top
2. Colored flares with a blouse and blazer
3. Hot pants (shorts or romper) and a halter top
4. Wrap dress and heels- classy and comfortable
5. Maxi dress and granny boots- the prairie look
6. Caftan or mumu dress with drama
7. Mini dress / Mod style with low heels
8. Disco dress or jumpsuit that glitters. More Disco outfits. 
9. Hippie chic – fringe vest, patchwork denim, headband. More hippie outfits.
10. Yacht rock- Nautical colors or evening glam
11. Workout – Get running in retro workout clothes and sneakers
12. MORE outfits ideas

70s Outfit #1: Casual Flares & Jeans

The heyday for blue jeans was the 70s. Everyone was wearing them almost all the time. At home, with friends, to the office- blue jeans were comfortable and no one wanted to take them off. What makes 70s blue jeans unique was their high and tight waist and wide leg that flared either a little or a lot. Bell bottoms are the most famous, but straight leg or flared leg pants were more common.

Jeans were paired with simple tops. Snug knit tops or polo shirts with large collars in stripes or solid bright colors. The loose peasant top or smock top with embroidery, crochet trim, inset lace and neck ties became trendy in the late 1970s. Long tunic tops in vivid patterns like paisley, chevron stripes, and ethnic designs started the trend in the early 70s. These are also known as hippie tops.

For your casual 70s outfit try 1. Wide leg flared jeans 2. Peasant top / Ringer T-shirt / Band Logo t-shirt 3. Earth tone belt 4. Platform shoes

Trendy now are ringer T-shirts, band T shirts, Tie-dye shirts, and nostalgic 70s theme T shirts. Add a big belt, floppy hat, oversize sunglasses, wedge sandals for a 70s outfit you can wear everyday.

70s Outfit #2: Colored Bells

Denim blue jeans were not the only casual outfit. Flares, loons and bell-bottom pants came in all sorts of bright colors and subtle patterns. They could be paired with loose tunic tops and peasant blouses or mixed with sportier knit shirts. Soft ringer t-shirts with groovy slogans and retro destinations are popular 70s shirts now. So are rainbow-striped long and short sleeve shirts, crop tops and large collar polo shirts. Knitwear was in style in the 70s and blended perfectly with the colorful pants.

For this fun outfit try 1. Bright colored bell bottoms 2. Wide white belt 3. Striped shirt or retro T-shirt 4. Oversized sunglasses 5. Clogs shoes 6. Track jacket/blazer jacket

For a dressier outfit try pairing wide-leg pants with a pussy-bow blouse and tailored blazer. Office ready retro style!

Outfit: 1. Pussy-bow blouse 2. Big Sunglasses  3. High rise, wide leg pants or suit set  4. Mid-century purse  5. Retro peep toe heels 

1970s Shoes

What about shoes? Besides platform heels, 70s shoes include:

1. The sturdy clog
2. Tall boot in bright colors or natural material
3. Lace-up granny boot in leather or upholstery fabric
4. Strappy heels (for disco dancing) in gold, silver, or white.
5. Tall wood sole sandal heels (wedge or platform).
6. Cork wedge sandals for summer
7. Open toe slingback heels in bright colors
8. Retro sneakers or classic Keds and slip-on flats

Shop 1970s shoes here  – Need wide sizes?

70s Outfit #3: Casual Summer Days

When days are warm and jeans are too hot, a pair of high waisted shorts are your next best option. High waisted denim shorts or the classic knit shorts with or without pockets were the fashion in the early to mid 70s.  Pair them with a striped tank top or ringer tee, polo shirt or crop top for a summertime retro style. Consider, too, the zip up romper for all in one ease.

For a summer outfit choose 1. High waisted shorts or a terry cloth skirt or skort 2. Optional belt – white, natural, or rainbow stripes 3. Striped or crochet sleeveless top, polo shirt or crop top (or make it a one-piece with a romper) 4. Wedge sandals or Birkenstocks

Rompers made a similar summer outfit. They cane be flashy for the disco, sporty or casual. They were often made of a poly knit that hugged the body. My mom’s was a purple paisley print with matching belt. The hot pant legs were very short!

Denim rompers or shortalls (shorts overalls) were also very trendy. Paired with western boots, you have another trendy 70s outfit.

70s Outfit #4: Wrap Dresses

Diane Von Furstenberg is credited for creating one of the most iconic dresses of the 70s, the wrap dress. Worn by stars and socialites, it never caught one with the mainstream public at the time, but has since been revived again and again. It is back in style this year, making it a great 70s retro-modern outfit to wear now.

70s wrap dresses were made of a light jersey that clung to the body with a thin tie belt that barely held it in place. They were especially popular as disco dresses. Some mainstream styles were button-down shirt dresses with collars. They could be long maxi dresses, but most were knee-length. Simple, casual, feminine and very pretty.

The more common dress was a tie waist dress. Slipover dresses were tightened at the waist with a tie belt or had a drawstring waist that tied in the front.  Simple, easy, flowy and casual to wear it, could be dressy enough for a party or as everyday fashion.

For your retro wrap dress outfit try 1. A pretty jersey wrap dress or disco party dress in a color and pattern that you love 2.  T-strap, Mary Jane or Peep toe “vintage” style heels 3. Large bangle bracelet or short thin gold pendant necklace 4. Gorgeous long feathered hair!

70s Outfit #5: Peasant / Prairie Dress

The other iconic 70s dress was the long maxi dress, which gave a nod back to the turn of the century Edwardian style with lace trim ruffled hems, puffy sleeves, and an empire waistband. They could be simple or fussy, with prints or pastels. The current boho trend favors maxi dresses in ethnic prints or clean white embroidered summer dresses.

The tiered dress gives a nod to the peasant or prairie fashion trend in the late 1970s. This gave way to mixing in western themes heading into the 80s.

For your maxi dress outfit keep it simple. 1. A long peasant dress in a floral print 2. Strappy sandal heels for summer, tall lace-up boots for winter  3. a floppy hat, suede vest and western boots for a boho hippie vibe.

Under long dresses, 70s heels were hardly visible but with short dresses, they were meant to be seen. 70s heels could have a chunky square heel with a modest rise or a taller evening heel height. Most shoes were inspired by vintage styles of the 30s to 40s. Two-tone Mary Jane heels from the 20s, thin T strap heels from the 30s, and peep toe heels from the 40s were revived into new 70s designs. Shop vintage style heels shoes or all 70s shoes here.

Caftan Dress

Another long, loose and casual 70s dress was the caftan (kaftan) or mumu dress. Its nightgown shape made in bold prints and silky material made them a cross over between day and night. They were popular gowns to host a house party in. They were also worn around the house, just for fun. The oversized dramatic sleeves make them really fun to wear to a 70s party.

1. Caftan dress 2. Strappy heels or low slipper flats 3. Oversize sunglasses 4. Heavy bead or wood necklace

Mini Dresses

An alternative to long dresses were short early 70s dresses in the mini shift or tunic style. Many were still in the 60s mod style with contrasting white trim and collars. Big white necktie bows were also in style.

Other dresses were more of a hippie or boho look with tribal prints, smocking, embroidery or crochet. Jumper dresses layered over a blouse were essential in fall. Denim dresses in all lengths were also big in the mid-70s.

Shop short 70s dresses on the 1960s page or here with longer 70s dresses. Wear low block heels and mod style drop earrings.

70s Outfit #6: Disco Jumpsuits and Dresses

When the day was done women and men headed to the Disco for a night of dancing, socializing and showing off your best clothing. Disco clothing ranged from jeans and shirts (often white or sequin) to satin wrap dresses to everyone’s favorite – the jumpsuit.

Jumpsuits are attached tops and bottoms usually in the same fabric. 70s jumpsuits were wide-legged or bell-shaped with solid pastel colors or big prints. Most were sleeveless with a halter top or other arm and back revealing design. Being flashy was the name of the game on the Disco floor.  Most 70s Halloween costumes are inspired by Disco fashion.

For your Disco jumpsuit pick 1. A white, metallic or colorful sleeveless jumpsuit 2. Strappy thin heels or platform shoes 3. Plain jewelry that sparkles 4. Dramatic long and frizzy or Afro-chic hair.

Try one of these other Disco outfit ideas for more variety. Sequin flares, metallic dresses, fringe jackets, and white boots are trendy disco outfits.

Besides jumpsuits, women wore shiny dresses to the disco. Silver sequins on short dresses looked like mirror disco balls while metallic gold lame mid-length dresses dazzled under the lights. Most disco dance dresses were white, red, pink or blue.

The 1920s fringe flapper dress experienced a revival at the disco too but it was the all-new wrap style dress in soft draping satin that had women dancing all night.

Shop disco dresses and jumpsuits here. Pair the dress with tall thin heels, platform sandals or silver boots. Add a faux fur wrap or coat for cool evenings.

70s Outfit #7: Evening Party Attire

For formal evening events, a long gown was preferred over a shorter dress (cocktail parties had both). Floor-length column dresses draped like that of a Grecian goddess. Large capes and jackets came with many dresses that were sleeveless.

White, ivory and pastel colors dominated evening looks for most women, but movie stars and musicians had a different wardrobe.  Designer Halston and others put women in the spotlight in sequin-covered dresses, velvet kimono sleeve gowns, and slinky halter top dancing dresses.  Jumpsuits too were a popular evening look.

Get the look with 1. Sequin gowns, white halter neck dresses, velvet draping optional – shop here.  2. Silver or gold sandal heels  3. Large matching drop earrings and bracelet  4. Small clutch purse on a chain

70s Outfit #8: Hippie Outfits

The next outfit or several outfits are for the 70s hippie look.  Mixing and matching separates, especially those with unique textures and materials in earth tone colors defined the casual 70s hippie look.

Fringe vests and ponchos, patchwork skirts and pants, peasant dresses, decorated bell-bottom jeans, embroidered peasant tops, afghan coats, handmade headbands, floppy hats, Jesus sandals, and peace sign jewelry are just a few of the iconic hippie clothes.  Shop more hippie costumes and clothing here.

 

For a themed party or 70s Halloween costume consider a retro Hippie costume or Disco costume.

70s Outfit #9: 70s Yacht Rock

There is a new-ish trend for 70s themed parties taking place on boats, yachts, and cruises. Yacht Rock is a soft rock/lounge music genre. A Yacht Rock party turns to a few different clothing styles, depending if its a daytime or evening party.

For daywear, anything nautical or sailor themed (red or white stripes, blue and white dresses, all white, etc.) is fair game. White pants and a striped shirt is clean. High waisted sailor shorts and a red crop top adds a touch of fun. A white jumpsuit and a red hair scarf keep the 70s flair while red or blue striped sundresses keep it modest. A navy blue blazer, white bow blouse, and jeans is good for something more dressed up.  Even a tropical-themed dress or Hawaiian shirt will be adequately yachty.

Add a captain hat or sun visor and big oversized sunglasses. For shoes, keep it simple in flat canvas sneakers or slip on shoes (like Keds Champion). Wedge espadrille sandals also say “summer party time!” Find more nautical themed dresses, tops and bottoms here.

 

For evenings, its glam time. Think disco dresses, sequin jumpsuits or rompers, and evening formals with booties (more stable for a moving boat) or high heels. Add a faux fur jacket or long coat, big dangling earrings, and a clutch handbag to complete the look.

Mix it up! Create your own 70s glam + yacht vibe with any of the outfits on this page. Add sunglasses and a captain’s hat (yacht cap) and you’ll be ready to rock the yacht rock life.

70s Outfit #10: Workout Clothes

In the mid-1970s, exercise became a trend. Women and men were taking up tennis, running, aerobic dance, and basketball in record numbers. Specialty athletic clothes such as tracksuits, running shorts and sneakers were made nearly identical for women and men. Most sported 3 stripes or chevron on the legs, arms, and chest.

Running shorts had a side slit and were trimmed in contacting fabric. For women, taking dance classes in tights and leotards or working out on a home gym in terry cloth exercise clothes was both a fun and fashionable activity.

These iconic retro workout clothes have made a comeback in leisure fashion today but they also make awesome outfits for a 70s party. Pair a tracksuit or running shorts with a 3-stripe  t-shirt, tall over the calf stripe socks, and retro sneakers for this sporty outfit idea. Dancers can pick a leotard and matching tights with a wrap-around skirt.

Going to a pool party? Why not wear a 70s style swimsuit with sunglasses and sun visor. For men, retro swim trunks and a cabana shirt is a must!

What will you wear to a 70s party?   If you need help with your outfit, just ask!

Even More 70s Outfits

(Most of these you can buy now.)