1970s Halloween Costume Ideas
Disco, Bell Bottoms, Platform Shoes, Leisure Suits, Afros, and More
Aug 12, 2009 Naomi Rockler-Gladen
The 1970s were such a fun time for popular culture, music, and truly distinctive clothes, so why not turn to the Me Generation for some unforgettable 1970s Halloween costumes? Here are some suggestions.
Disco Halloween Costume
Perhaps nothing says 1970s more than disco fever. For men, the disco look is all about looking like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Pair a snazzy white blazer with matching white pants, and go shirtless with lots of gold chains and some exaggerated drawn-on chest hair. A loud and shiny shirt, preferably open, will work as well.
For women, one distinctive look is the multicolored, bell bottomed jumpsuit, dressed up with some mountainous platform shoes. A tight little metallic dress will do the trick too.
For added affect, the disco costume can be combined with other women's and men's 1970s styles, as discussed below.
Women's 1970s Halloween CostumesTo achieve the quintessential 1970s look, start with the hair. One of the hottest hairstyles of the era was very long and straight, and parted in the middle; some women literally ironed their hair to achieve the look. For seventies wanna be girls who don't have long, straight hair, costume stores sell cheap 70s wigs that will do the trick. Alternately, there's also the late 1970s feathered back Farrah Fawcett look.
In the 1970s, many women went with a natural look by day, but a dramatic look by night. The night look was all about the eyes. Lashes were big, so use lots of mascara and even some false eyelashes. Combine this with bold eye shadow shades of just about any color.
Perhaps the most recognizable 1970s clothing choice for women is bell bottoms. When choosing (or making) bell bottoms, the louder and shinier the better. The waist should be tight, and the flared bottoms should be huge.
Here are some of the other memorable 1970s clothes that can be made incorporated into a groovy Halloween costume:
- Hot pants
- Micro mini skirts
- Platform shoes
- Smiley face shirts and jewelry
- Garish polyester prints
- Loud plaid and floral prints
- Colorful vests
- Roller skates
- Mood rings
Men's 1970s Halloween CostumesOne of the easiest ways for a man to say "1970s" with his hair is with a big old Afro—and since this is one look that can't be achieved on the spot, a costume shop may be a necessary pit stop. To go with the Afro is the other quintessential male 70s look—long, long sideburns, optionally in funky shapes.
Men's clothing was similar to women's—loud and synthetic. Bell bottoms were big with men too. One of the most unforgettable men's fashion of the era was the leisure suit, a two piece polyester contraption consisting of a safari-like jacket and matching pants. For a Halloween costume, the uglier the better; try going with mustard yellow or plaid.
1970s Celebrity Costumes
Along with outlandishly garish clothing, the 1970s had more than its share of personalities with memorable outfits to mimic. Here are some of the many personalities, real and fictitious, to choose from.
- The Village People
- Elton John
- Sonny and Cher
- Shaft
- Foxy Brown
- Marcia Brady
- Farrah Fawcett
- Mary Tyler Moore
- Erik Estrada
- Barry Manilow
- Neil Diamond
- The Bee Gees
Halloween Fun, 1970s Style
For both women and men, the 70s offers plenty of inspiration for memorable, creative costumes that will turn heads. Whether they're decked out in disco jumpsuits, relaxing in plaid leisure suits, or parodying a '70s personality, 1970s-loving trick-or-treaters have plenty to choose from.
A Retro 1970s Pattern
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