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 wardrobe. 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.
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.
1977 flare jeans with peasant 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
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- Flares with a striped knit top, denim jacket and platform shoes
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- Flares with a ringer band T-shirt and platform sandals
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.
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- 1973 Casual with Color
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- 1976 striped knit top, blue wide leg 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
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- Velvet flares, striped top
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- Brown cords, white turtleneck shirts and teal blazer
For a dressier outfit try pairing wide-leg pants with a pussy-bow blouse and tailored blazer. Office ready retro style!
1976 the pantsuit look with wide leg trouser, bow blouse and blazer.
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- Stiped pussy-bow blouse and oversized sunglasses
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- 60s-70s blazer pant set
Outfit: 1. Pussy-bow blouse 2. Big Sunglasses 3. High Rise, wide leg pants 5. Suit Set 4. Mid-century purse 5. Retro peep toe heels
1970s Shoes
What about shoes? Besides platform heels, 70s shoes include:
- The sturdy clog
- Tall boot in bright colors or natural material
- Lace-up granny boot in leather or upholstery fabric
- Strappy heels (for disco dancing) in gold, silver, or white.
- Tall wood sole sandal heels (wedge or platform).
- Cork wedge sandals for summer
- Open toe slingback heels in bright colors
- Retro sneakers or classic Keds and slip-on flats
Shop 1970s shoes here – Need wide sizes?
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- 1973 clogs shoes
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- Early 1970s Clarks Platform Shoes
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- 1978 boots
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- 1978 wedge shoes
70s shoes, heels, boots- Shop now.
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.
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- 1973 short shorts with halter tops
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- 1978 denim shorts and striped tops
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- 1977 pocket shorts with polo or sweater and a romper
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- 1977 shorts and tops (L) and skort skirt (R)
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
70s style shorts- shop now
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.
Diane Von Furstenberg’s Wrap Dress
For your retro wrap dress outfit try 1. A pretty jersey wrap dress or 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!
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- A lovely 70s wrap dress at Modcloth (plus sizes too)
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- Corduroy tie dress at Lulus
70s Outfit #5: Maxi 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.
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- 1977 maxi dresses
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- 1976 maxi dress
For your maxi dress outfit keep it simple. 1. A long maxi dress in a floral print 2. Strappy sandal heels for summer, tall lace-up boots for winter 3. a floppy hat for a boho hippie vibe.
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- Elegant deco design
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- 70s Maxi dress
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.
1978 strappy dancing heels
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.
1970 short dresses
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- Early 70s mod dress
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- 70s white dress
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.
Studio 54 , disco dancing in dresses and jumpsuits
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.
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- 1977 white jumpsuit
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- 1978 party jumpsuits
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.
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- 1976 wrap dress and tunic pantsuit with turban hat
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- 1979 Satin Disco Dress
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 Disco dresses
70s Outfit #7: Evening Party Attire
The Sonny and Cher Show wearing a sequin dress
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.
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- White and silver halter top gowns
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- Velvet kimono sleeve
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, 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.
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- Fringe shawl, peasant blouse and wide leg pants
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- Hippie costume- fringe vest and headband
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- 70s hippie costume- fringe vest and patchwork pants
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.
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- 1979 nautical theme dresses
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- 1977 white pants and striped sailor top
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- 1979 short and tops
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- 1976 canvas sneakers and casual slip-ons
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.
Yacht Rock Glam Outfit
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.
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- 1979 women’s tracksuit
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- 70s terry cloth outfits
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.
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- 1977 nautical beachwear
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- 1977 rainbow swimsuits
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!
1970s style swimsuits. Shop now.
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.)
