“Put a guy who keeps his body in reasonable shape in a pair of (tight) jeans, boots, and a muscle-hugging shirt, and you’ve got macho.” – Disco Dressing, Leonard McGill
70s Men’s Fashion at the Disco
’70s disco dudes built on the Peacock Revolution of the 1960s, strutting the dance floor in all the trappings of the neo-dandy. Long hair, ruffled shirts, and gold jewelry were cultural mainstays. Jumpsuits and platform boots were popular with both sexes. Even hot pants were a perennial favorite.
1970s Men’s Jumpsuits
Even more traditional silhouettes were touched by the new extravagance. Casual separates and three-piece leisure suits remained popular, but appeared now in bold prints and body-hugging cuts borrowed from 1960s psychedelia. White suits were offset by plunging necklines and wide lapels. Bell-bottom jeans by Vanderbilt and Fiorucci offered a more sedate variant, though shirts were still worn unbuttoned.
Also known as “angel flights” and “loon [balloon] pants,” bell-bottoms worked for every look, from the casual to the upper echelons. “[I wore] white bell-bottoms [with] a satin pattern[ed] shirt,” says former disco dancer Mark K. Another dancer, Paul B., wore his “loon pants” with nine-inch platforms and “a cool belt buckle.”
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- 1978 Disco Shirts and Pants
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- 1973 White and Denim Blue Jeans
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- 1978 White Disco Leisure Suit
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- 1978 Disco Suit with Red and White
1979 Donny Osmond Models the Disco Look – Vest, Pants, Shirt, and Platform Shoes
As mass-production gained steam, artificial fibers became increasingly popular. Silk nylons by Qiana, introduced in 1968, became shirts and ties. Spandex, polyester, and jersey blends shone under discotheque light, while double-knits allowed a dizzying variety of colors and patterns. Not even shoes were exempt.
1979 Disco Shirts – Flashy!
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- 70s Colorful Disco Style
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- Ad for Angel Flight Bell Bottom Pants
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- Gold pants, Sheer Shirt, Boots
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- 1976 White Suit and Pant/Shirt/Belt Combo
Hippie influence brought a touch of southwestern chic to men’s footwear. Men seeking a more solid boot eschewed vinyl platforms for the leather cowboy style. Clogs, originally from Scandinavia, lent some earthy charm. But the biggest surprise in 1970s shoes? Athletics! As dress codes grew increasingly casual, gym shoes were appropriate for public wear for the first time. Brightly colored Vans skateboard shoes, invented in 1966, fit the bill nicely.
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- 1970s Men’s White Boots, Loafers, and Golf Shoes
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- 1973 Men’s Platform Shoes and Boots
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- 1973 Loafers
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- 1978 Platform Saddles, Loafers, Mocs
70s Disco Outfits for Guys
Men can wear a disco outfit that spans from ’70s casual to flashy clubwear. Most disco dancing dudes will choose bell-bottom pants, a disco shirt, and big belt. Simple, yet very retro. Here are some more ideas:
- 70s Stud: Loose, buttoned down shirts paired with corduroy flare pants, rhinestone belt, cowboy boots (Fur coat optional).
- Disco Fever: Flashy metallic or paisley open neck “Disco” shirt, white flare jeans, white platform shoes, gold chain necklace.
- Studio 54: A snug open top shirt, bell bottom jeans, wide leather belt, platform shoes.
- Almost 80s: A scoop neck tank top, tight metallic jeans, half boots.
- Stayin’ Alive: Spandex muscle shirt, straight leg chinos, red belt, white boots.
- Retro Groove: Sheer Hawaiian shirt, vintage pleated pants, loafers.
- 1970s Casual: Knitted sports shirt, indigo denim jeans, brown belt, retro sneakers.
- Soul Singer: 70s leisure suit, bold shirt, white dress shoes.
60s-70s Disco costumes – Cheap party costumes to buy online or inspire your own outfit.
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- 70s Stud
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- Disco Fever
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- Stayin’ Alive
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- 1970s Casual Male
Shop Men’s 70s Style Clothing
1970s Men’s Pants – Trousers, slacks, bells, jeans
1970’s Men’s Shirts – Disco, button down, knitwear, dashikis, T-shirts
Suits, Sportscoats, Tuxedos – Loud prints and bold colors
60s- 70s Men’s Jackets & Sweaters
1960s-1970s Men’s Shoes – Platforms, casuals, sneakers, dressy
Browse all Men’s 1970s Clothes Here
More 70s Fashion History
1970s Men’s Suits History | Sport Coats & Tuxedos
Vintage Men’s Tie History 1920-1970
Men’s Retro Workout Clothes | Tracksuits, Sweatshirts
Men’s Vintage Sweaters History
Retro Men’s Swim Trunks -1960s, 1970s, 1980s History
10 Hippie Outfit Ideas for Men
More Photos
More 70’s men’s fashion history coming soon. In the meantime, here are some 1970s clothes to admire:
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- 1972 Flagg Bros
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- 1974 men’s funky fashion
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- 1972-1974 Flagg Bros
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- 1976
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- 1972 Fashion Trends
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- 1974 Flagg Bros
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- 1979 Suede Jacket
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- 1979 Denim Jeans and Plaid Shirts
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- 1979 Striped Polo Shirts and Pastel Pants
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- 1977 Men’s Denim Suits and Shirts
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- 1977 Men’s Shoes and Boots
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- 1976 Men’s Shoes
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- 1975 Men’s Platform Shoes
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- 1971 Men’s Knit Shirts
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- 1971 Men’s Everyday Fashion
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- 1972 Men’s Casual Polo Shirts
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- 1975 Men’s Outfits
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- 1975 Men’s Jumpsuits
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- 1971 Paisley Shirt and Pullover Sweater
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- 1974 Men’s Sweater Fashions
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- 1974 Sweater Vests
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- 1973 Men’s Sweater Vests
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- 1972 Men’s Knitwear
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- 1970 Hippie Fringe Jackets and Vest
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- 1971 Belted Coats
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- 1977 Leather Jackets
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- 1978 Straight Leg Boxers with Retro Side Stripes
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- 1979 Running Shorts and T-Shirts
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- 1978 Sporty Outfits
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- 1976 LEE Blue Denim Suit
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- 1975 Summer Blazers and Plaid Trousers
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- 1970 Mod Meets the 70s Suits
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- 1977 Suit Separates in Blue, Cream, and Navy
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- 1974 Blue Check Sport Coat
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- 1976 Men’s Tuxedos
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.
