70's theme party for men: what to wear?

What do you wear to a 70's theme party? The easiest mistake is to think that the 70s were one look. In reality, disco, hippie, rock, glam and classic men's fashion walked side by side. This means you can go in many directions for a theme party. First choose which seventies atmosphere you want and then build your outfit around it.

The fastest 70's look: large shirt, trousers and strong collar

Do you want to be instantly recognizable without wearing a full costume? Start with one 70s shirt. Large pointed collars, paisley, geometric prints, checks and typical colors such as brown, rust, orange, olive and mustard quickly give the right impression.

Combine it with dark or brown trousers and a pair of dress shoes. This gives you a convincing seventies outfit without the need for platform soles or a wig.

Look 1: disco

The late 70s brought the most famous party look: wide collars, shine, striking color, wide lapels and flared trousers. For a disco theme, the outfit may be more expressive than for everyday wear.

• shirt with a large collar or pronounced print;
• trousers with slightly wider or flared legs;
• waistcoat or jacket with wide lapels;
• shine or strong color as one striking element;
• loafers, dress shoes or a retro shoe.

Are you specifically going to a disco party? Then read our separate guide disco party outfit for men.

Look 2: hippie and bohemian

The hippie influence from the late 60s remained visible in the early 70s. Think natural shades, denim, suede, fringes, knitted pieces and looser shirts. For a theme party, a suede or leather vest over a shirt or T-shirt works well.

One leather or suede waistcoat, jeans and a shirt with a warm print provide a clear direction without the need for every stereotype.

Look 3: classic seventies men's fashion

Not everyone wore disco or hippie clothes. Classic men's fashion got wider lapels, more pronounced colors and different proportions in the 1970s. Jackets could be longer and trousers often had more space or a flared line.

A brown, green or checked vintage jacket above a large-collar shirt is therefore at least as seventies as a shiny disco shirt.

Look 4: rock and leather

For a cooler outfit you can go to rock. A leather jacket, dark shirt, jeans and boots gives a clear 70s atmosphere without disco elements. In the late 1970s, punk also became its own, sharper style direction.

Please view our leather and suede jackets.

Which colors work well?

Typical seventies colors include brown, rust, orange, olive green, mustard, cream, burgundy and petrol. You don't have to wear them all at once. For example, choose one warm color and combine it with brown, denim or cream.

An outfit usually becomes stronger when two or three colors return instead of six separate statements.

The collar makes a big difference

In men's shirts, the collar is one of the strongest period details. Long pointed collars and wide collars immediately give a seventies image. Combine such a shirt with a waistcoat or jacket so that the collar remains visible.

Do you want to know what to look for in real vintage pieces? Then read identify and wear vintage 70s shirts.

Waistcoat: Easy way to add more 70s style

One waistcoat is ideal for a theme party. A check, tweed look, paisley or striking color can immediately give a simple shirt much more character.

If you wear a classic single-breasted waistcoat, the bottom button usually remains open. You can read more about that in why do you leave the bottom button of a waistcoat open?.

Tie or open collar?

Both are possible. For a disco or evening look, an open shirt collar works well. For a more classic seventies look, you can use a wider vintage tie. Check out our vintage ties if you want to add that accent.

How do you prevent it from becoming carnivalesque?

Choose one clear style direction and let two or three elements do the work. For example:

• print shirt + brown trousers + waistcoat;
• light jacket + large-collar shirt + smart trousers;
• leather jacket + dark jeans + vintage shirt;
• disco shirt + flared pants + low-key shoes.

An afro wig, gigantic sunglasses, shiny suit, gold chain and platform shoes at the same time is recognizable, but not necessary if your clothes have already been well chosen.

Really vintage or 70's style?

For a theme party it does not matter whether every piece of clothing is demonstrably from 1974. A modern item with the right cut can work just fine. At EcoGents we make a distinction in product descriptions between real vintage and a clear 70's style when exact dating cannot be proven.

Put together a 70's outfit at EcoGents

In our store you will find much more than just party clothes. Precisely because we 70's shirts, waistcoats, jackets, trousers and ties, you can create an outfit that is still wearable after the theme party.

That's usually the nicest route: no disposable costume, but real clothing with a seventies character.