Are you heading to a 70s-themed party and looking for some outfit inspiration? Well, you're in the right place! The 1970s was a time of bold fashion choices and funky styles. In this blog post, we will suggest 10 fabulous outfit ideas for women, featuring 70s-inspired looks. So, get ready to embrace your inner disco diva and let's dive into the world of women's fashion of the '70s!
You have 2 options:
- Copy the outfit after from a 1970s female star or singer
- Create your outfit based on the fashion trends of the era
Looking at the pictures of outfits from the '70s, we'll explore both dimensions, starting with the 70s fashion icons!
NOTE: There might be some affiliate links in this article. We only feature the high-quality products we adore ourselves and we hope you'll like them too. If you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Who Were The Best Female Outfits In The 70s Inspired By?
The 1970s is widely regarded as one of the most influential decades in fashion history. From the hippie movement to disco fever, fashion in the 70s was all about rebellion, expression, and individuality.
If you love the unique and eclectic style of the era, you may be interested to learn about who influenced 1970s fashion. In this blog post section, we'll take a closer look at some of the most influential fashion icons of the era, and how you can draw inspiration from their looks.
Cher Outfits: Bold Fashion Diva
Photo: Getty Images
Cher has been a style icon for decades, and her impact on fashion in the 1970s cannot be overstated. The singer and actress was known for her over-the-top outfits, which often included sequins, feathers, and daring cuts.
Picture: Shutterstock
Alternatively, channel her famous bob with a sleek center part and straight hair, and pair it with a flowy caftan and platform sandals.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: To channel Cher's style for a retro party, you could opt for a bold, silky jumpsuit paired with high-heeled boots and statement earrings. An iconic 70s outfit for a woman!
Browse sequin jumpsuits on Amazon
Bianca Jagger Outfit: The Epitome of Style
If you think that 1970s female outfits were all about disco glitter and extravagant jumpsuits, take a look at Bianca Jagger.
Image: Getty Images
She was a model and socialite, and her fashion sense made her another prominent fashion icon of the era.
She often wore elegant white suits paired with wide-brimmed hats, and was rarely seen without a cigarette in hand.
To draw inspiration from Bianca Jagger, consider a tailored blazer over flared pants, and accessorize with low-key jewelry and a fedora.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: A white wide-legged pantsuit with a plunging neckline and a wide-brimmed hat, inspired by Bianca Jagger's iconic look, is the most classy 70s female outfit idea!
- Pantsuit (or jumpsuit with a plunging neckline)
- Fedora
- Cigarette
Bianca Jagger often wore her hair with volume and loose waves. Create soft, loose curls using a curling iron or hot rollers. If you prefer a sleek look, you can straighten your hair and style it with a center or deep side part. For the makeup, aim for a natural yet polished look.
Farrah Fawcett Outfit: All-American Girl
Farrah Fawcett was a female television and film star best known for her feathered hair and all-American girl looks. Her iconic hairdo, which featured feathered bangs and cascading layers, was the perfect complement to her high-waisted denim bell-bottoms, a cornerstone of the 70s women style.
If you want to keep your costume low-key and embrace the look of authentic clothes of the 1970s, taking inspiration from Farrah is a solid idea.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: For a laid-back, hippie-inspired look, choose flared jeans paired with a flowy tie-dye or peasant top. Add a fringed vest and accessorize with oversized round sunglasses and a suede fringe bag. Don't forget to copy her iconic hairdo!
- Flowy, bohemian maxi dress
- Fringed vest or kimono
- Suede ankle boots or sandals
- Round sunglasses
- Flower crown or headband
To channel Farrah's style, add some volume to your hair with hot rollers and wear a colorful blouse tucked into your favorite pair of high-waisted jeans. Alternatively, opt for a breezy maxi dress with a bold print and ruffled sleeves.
If donning this boho look sounds too low-key for your party, here's another iconic. bold look of Farrah.
Brigitte Bardot Outfit: Playful & Sexy
Brigitte Bardot is a French actress, singer, and fashion icon known for her effortless and sensual style in the '70s, which continues to inspire fashion to this day. Her style was influenced by her love of animals, nature, and her passion for freedom.
Bardot's iconic look was characterized by her tousled blonde hair, sultry cat-eye makeup, and playful, feminine clothing. She popularized many of the classic French fashion staples, including the Breton-striped shirt, capri pants, and ballet flats.
Bardot's love of the off-the-shoulder neckline became a fashion trend now known as the "Bardot neckline." This neckline style features a wide scoop that frames the shoulders and collarbone, giving it a casual, yet chic look.
Bardot was also known to mix textures and styles, often pairing delicate lace pieces with casual denim or leather. Her fashion influence can still be seen in modern fashion trends like boho-chic and retro glamour.
Overall, Brigitte Bardot embodied a distinctive sense of style that was playful, yet sensual, and continues to inspire fashion today.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: To achieve a Brigitte Bardot look for a party, here's a bullet list of key elements you can incorporate into your outfit:
- Off-the-shoulder or Bardot-style tops and dresses
- High-waisted skirts or trousers
- A wide belt cinched at the waist
- Cat-eye sunglasses
- Headbands or scarves worn in a voluminous style
- Hair styled in a half-up, half-down bouffant or a messy updo
- Winged eyeliner and heavy mascara
- Natural, peachy lip color
- Pointed-toe flats or heels, preferably in a classic style such as ballet flats or slingback pumps
- Straw or wicker tote bag for a touch of summer chic
Remember, Brigitte Bardot was known for her effortless and feminine style, so embrace the retro vibes and have fun channeling her iconic outfits!
Joan Jett Outfit: A Rebel
Joan Jett is known for her distinctive style, which is often associated with the punk rock movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Her iconic look includes several key elements that have become synonymous with her image.
One of the most prominent aspects of Joan Jett's style is her signature shag haircut. The choppy and layered hairstyle, often styled in a messy and edgy manner, became a defining aspect of her image. This haircut helped establish her as a style icon during the '70s.
Joan Jett's fashion sense typically revolved around a combination of punk and rock aesthetics. She often wore leather jackets, jeans, and band t-shirts, portraying an edgy and rebellious image of a rock girl. Her style included elements such as denim, leather biker jackets, and cotton tees, which are considered iconic classics in the rock and roll genre. The main colors she used were a combination of black and white. She also incorporated extravagant elements like sequins, exaggerated shoulders, and jumpsuits for a glam look.
Joan Jett was known for her love of jewelry and accessories. She often wore statement-making pieces, including multiple rings, layered necklaces, and studded cuffs. She embraced a bold and maximalist approach when it came to accessorizing, adding an extra edge to her overall look. So if you intend to copy her style, don't be shy, literally anything is allowed.
Embrace the rock 'n' roll vibes by pairing a band t-shirt with high-waisted flared jeans. Add a statement belt and platform boots to take your outfit to another level. Top it off with a leather jacket and accessorize with chunky silver jewelry for that edgy 70s style.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea:
- a leather motorcycle jacket
- band t-shirt or sleeveless tank top
- ripped skinny jeans, and combat boots
- massive accessories
- studded or buckle-adorned belt
- fingerless leather gloves
- shagged wig or a haircut is key!
All of that will be emulating Joan Jett's rebellious and rock-inspired style.
Twiggy
Twiggy was a prominent fashion icon in the 1960s, known for her androgynous and youthful look. Her style was characterized by a combination of several elements that became her trademark.
Twiggy became the iconic symbol of 1960s mod fashion, a subculture that emerged in London and represented the new youth culture that rejected the traditional styles and established social norms. Twiggy's style was defined by short hemlines, geometric patterns, and bold colors.
Twiggy's youthful and innocent look was also a defining feature of her style. She popularized the "waif" look, which involved wearing short, A-line dresses, and minimal makeup. Her slender frame and short hair made her the epitome of the androgynous look that was popular at the time.
The combination of minimal foundation and heavily mascaraed and false lash-aided eyes made her makeup look bold and modern, redefining the beauty norms of the era.
Her short and androgynous hairstyle became popular among women and inspired a new generation of hairstyling. The cut emphasized her facial features and allowed her to wear the mod-style hats better. It provided an easy and low-maintenance styling option and made her a fashion icon of the decade.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: A mod-style mini dress with bold geometric patterns and knee-high boots, reflecting Twiggy's iconic 60s-70s fashion.
To achieve a Twiggy-inspired look for a party, consider incorporating the following elements into your outfit:
- Shift dresses with geometric or mod-inspired patterns
- Mini skirts in bold colors or patterns
- Wide-collar button-down shirts
- Mock turtleneck tops
- High-waisted trousers or capri pants
- Knee-high or thigh-high boots
- Oversized sunglasses with round frames
- Lash-defining mascara and subtle eye makeup with a focus on long lashes
- Nude or pale lip color
- A pixie cut or a sleek bob hairstyle
Twiggy was known for her youthful and mod fashion choices, so have fun experimenting with playful prints, clean lines, and a touch of 1960s style to channel her iconic look!
Jane Birkin Outfit: The Androgenous Parisienne
Jane Birkin, the English-born, French-aspiring belle of the 1960s and '70s, was a model, actress, singer, muse, and undoubtedly, a style icon who continues to influence fashion. Her style was characterized by a mix of effortless chic, bohemian, and androgynous elements.
One of Jane Birkin's most iconic looks was her signature "Jeans and T-Shirt" combo. She often paired flared or wide-leg jeans with a simple white T-shirt, creating a relaxed and timeless outfit that epitomized her laid-back, effortless style.
Birkin also popularized the use of basket bags as a fashion accessory. She was often seen carrying a wicker basket as a handbag, contributing to her bohemian and natural aesthetic.
Her hairstyle was another notable aspect of her iconic look. Birkin's signature messy fringe, combined with her tousled and natural-looking hair, created a carefree and undone vibe.
Overall, Jane Birkin embodied a unique style that blended casual and chic, bohemian and androgynous elements, creating an effortless and timeless aesthetic that continues to inspire fashion today.
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: To achieve a Jane Birkin-inspired look for a party, consider incorporating the following elements into your outfit:
- White t-shirts or blouses with a relaxed fit
- High-waisted denim or cotton shorts
- Striped sailor shirts or dresses
- Flowy sundresses or maxi dresses in light fabrics such as cotton or linen
- Flared or wide-leg jeans
- Basket or woven purse
- Simple leather sandals or ballet flats
- Messy, natural-looking hair with fringe bangs or a center part
- Minimal makeup with a focus on glowing skin and statement eyebrows
Jane Birkin was known for her effortless and casual style that embodied the spirit of French chic, so feel free to experiment with understated pieces, prints, and textures that capture that same relaxed vibe for your party look!
Diana Ross Outfit: Groovy Disco Queen
Diana Ross played a significant role in shaping the fashion of the 70s with her iconic style choices. She embraced glamorous and show-stopping stage outfits, often adorned with sequins, sparkles, and feathers.
Ross frequently collaborated with renowned fashion designer Bob Mackie, who created dazzling costumes for her performances. Her stage wardrobe consisted of stunning bodysuits, dreamy dresses, and sequined jumpsuits, all of which contributed to her show-stopping presence on stage.
Ross, a true Groovy Disco Queen, also experimented with different fashion trends of the era, including disco-inspired sequins and feathers.
Overall, Diana Ross's outfits in the 70s exuded elegance, glamour, and a flair for dramatic style. By incorporating dazzling elements into her outfits and working with notable designers, she left a lasting impact on the fashion scene of that decade.
To create a Groovy Disco Queen outfit for a Retro Party, you should wear a dazzling dress in a vibrant color like gold or silver. Pair it with platform heels and accessorize with oversized hoop earrings for that true 70s female outfit. Don't forget to complete the look with a funky afro wig and shimmering makeup to really nail the disco Queen look!
Your 1970s Outfit Idea: To achieve a Diana Ross-inspired look for a party, consider incorporating the following elements into your outfit:
- Sequined or glittery dresses
- Oversized or statement jewelry, such as hoop earrings or chandelier earrings
- Platform shoes or high-heeled sandals
- Luxurious fur coats or stoles
- Oversized sunglasses
- Bold makeup, featuring bright lipstick, dramatic eyeliner, and false eyelashes
- Big, voluminous hair with curls, waves, or an afro
Diana Ross was known for her glamorous and show-stopping stage outfits that exuded confidence and sophistication, so feel free to have fun experimenting with bold colors, textures, and statement pieces to channel her iconic style!
5 More 70s Female Outfit Ideas Based on Movies
If you talk channeling celebrities, why not take inspiration from a movie? These movies not only captured the spirit of the 70s but also left a lasting impact on fashion and pop culture. If you're looking for inspiration for a 70s-themed costume party, these iconic movie outfits can serve as a great starting point.
"Annie Hall" (1977):
Diane Keaton's signature look with tailored trousers, a white button-up shirt, oversized blazer, and a necktie.
"Saturday Night Fever" (1977):
Disco diva attire, like a slinky wrap dress with a plunging neckline, high heels, and sparkly accessories.
"Grease" (1978):
Sandy's transformation outfit, featuring a black off-the-shoulder top, skin-tight pants, and red peep-toe heels.
"Clueless" (1995, set in the 70s-inspired fashion):
Cher's preppy-chic outfits, including pleated mini-skirts, knee-high socks, and cropped sweaters.
"Mahogany" (1975):
Diana Ross's glamorous and elegant looks, such as flowing gowns, fur stoles, and statement jewelry.
Summary: Which Female Outfit Idea Did You Enjoy?
In conclusion, these are just some of the many fashion icons who influenced the style of the 1970s. From Cher's sequins to Farrah's feathered hair, these influencers had a lasting impact that can still be seen in today's fashion trends. Whether you prefer the boho-chic look or the glam influences of disco, there are endless ways to channel the iconic styles of the 1970s and make them your own. So grab your platform shoes and get inspired by these fashionable trailblazers!
Take inspiration from these iconic celebrity looks to create your own retro ensemble for a 70s-themed event or party.