70s Disco Outfit Guide: Sequins, Flares and Platform Shoes
Disco fashion was built to shine under dance-floor lights. Here is what people actually wore in the late 1970s and how to recreate a disco outfit you can dance in all night.
A 70s disco outfit has one job: to catch the light. Disco fashion took off in the mid to late 1970s, when nightclub dancers dressed in new, often synthetic clothes designed to move with the body and shimmer under colored lights. The good news for a party today is that the look is easy to recognize. Shine, flares, a bold color and a pair of platform shoes will do most of the work.
What people wore to the disco
Disco-era dressing was more varied than the costume version suggests. Some dancers went glamorous, others wore jeans and T-shirts, and many clubs of the late 70s had dress codes. Still, a few pieces appear again and again in photos and descriptions of the time:
- Flowing dresses, often sheer or softly draped, and jersey wrap dresses that moved on the dance floor.
- Halter-neck tops and sequined tops, worn with loose or flared trousers.
- Jumpsuits with wide legs, sometimes in shiny fabric.
- Shiny patterned shirts for men, with long, pointed, extra-wide collars worn open at the neck.
- Suits: three-piece suits with a vest, and the leisure suit, a polyester shirt-jacket with matching flared trousers.
- Glitter, sequins and gold lamé that shimmered under the lights, in bold colors for everyone.
- Platform shoes and boots for both men and women, plus heels.
- Necklaces and medallions as the main accessory.
Four disco outfit formulas
| Style | Main pieces | Accessories |
|---|---|---|
| Disco glam | Sequined or metallic top, wide flared trousers | Platforms, hoop earrings, glitter |
| Flowing dress | Long draped dress or wrap dress in a jewel tone | Strappy heels, a sparkly clutch |
| Jumpsuit | Wide-leg jumpsuit, ideally satin or shiny knit | Wide belt, big sunglasses |
| Classic suit | White or pastel suit with a vest, or a leisure suit | Wide-collar patterned shirt, medallion |
Colors and fabrics
Disco loved anything that reflected light: sequins, satin, metallic knits and lamé. Gold, silver, electric blue, hot pink, red and emerald all fit, and so does crisp white, which glows under party lights. If you are shopping secondhand, look for stretchy synthetic knits and satin shirts; they photograph well and survive a night of dancing. A plain outfit becomes disco with one shiny piece: a sequined jacket, a metallic belt or a lamé scarf.
Hair and makeup
- Big volume: blow-dried waves, feathered layers or an afro all read as disco. A wig is a quick shortcut and saves your own hair from heat styling.
- Glitter: cosmetic glitter on the eyelids or cheekbones is the most "disco" makeup there is. Use glitter made for skin, never craft glitter near the eyes.
- Shimmer: frosted eyeshadow and a glossy lip finish the look.
- Grooming for the suit look: neat sideburns and a well-styled side part, or a fuller blow-dried style.
Dress for dancing
A disco party is a dancing party, so build the outfit around movement:
- Test the shoes. Platforms look great but can roll an ankle. Choose a wide, stable platform or a block heel and walk around the house in them first.
- Check the hem. Very long flares catch under heels. Hem them or wear a slightly higher shoe.
- Mind the sequins. Scratchy sequins under the arms rub after an hour; a soft layer underneath helps.
- Keep it breathable. Polyester gets warm on a crowded dance floor. A lighter top under a removable jacket lets you cool down.
Make it a group look
Disco works well for groups and couples: one person in a white suit, another in a gold jumpsuit, a third in a flowing red dress. Agree on a color palette rather than matching exactly. For other ways to dress for the decade, see our 70s outfit ideas, our quick builds for a 70s party outfit, and the menswear guide to 70s outfits for men.
Questions
What should I wear to a 70s disco party?
Something that shines and something that flares: a sequined or satin top with wide trousers, a jumpsuit or a flowing dress, plus platform shoes and a little glitter.
What did men wear to discos in the 70s?
Shiny patterned shirts with wide, pointed collars, three-piece suits, leisure suits with flared trousers, platform shoes and necklaces or medallions.
Can I do a disco outfit without sequins?
Yes. Satin, metallic knits, a bold single color or crisp white all work. One shiny accessory such as a belt, scarf or jacket is enough.
Are platform shoes hard to dance in?
They can be. Choose a wide, stable platform or a block heel, break them in at home, and bring flat shoes as a backup.
