1970s Costume Ideas

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Glam Rock Wig

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70s Costume Ideas

Quite often a 70s themed party will be linked with either the 60s or the 80s. There is particularly a fashion overlap with the 60s at the beginning of the decade. For the purpose of these pages each decade will be looked at separately and go into far more detail.

If you look to the left list, we have looked at various 1970s areas to give you as much costume inspiration as we can.

Hopefully, this page will show you how diverse the 70s decade actually was in the way of fashion. A 70s fancy dress party, does not need to be boring, read on and get some great costume inspiration…

1970s Flares
Bell Bottomed (or flared trousers) were only worn by sailors until the late 60s and then became very popular during the 1970s. The Oxford English Dictionary first mentions Flares in 1964. Flares were worn by both male and females, with many people decorating their own.

Flares can be purchased separately or as part of a costume. In the 70s, flares were worn shorter than they are today. In fact the flare would often stop at the ankle, showing off the footwear.

70s Hippy Costumes
Although mainly thought of as a 60s fashion style, hippies were still popular in the early 70s. There are lots of benefits to choosing to wear a hippy costume.

      • They tend to be very comfortable to wear and are not too hot.
      • They do not show off any flesh you’d rather not have on display.
      • They are suitable for both men and women
      • Many styles available to suit all different figures. At one time, it was difficult to purchase a fancy dress costume if you were a larger size. I am pleased to say that suppliers have at long last realised this fact and larger sizes are now widely available
      • There are fantastic accessories that can be purchased such as wigs, giant spliffs, peace medallions and wacky weed.

1970s Music

During the 1970s, music was probably the greatest influence on fashion, with many followers of particular groups wanting to dress in similar outfits. The decade saw the rise of ‘Glam Rock’ with artists such as Slade, Roy Wood & Wizzard, Marc Bolan & T Rex, Elton John and David Bowie all creating their own unique styles. Aside from costumes, make-up also became extremely popular during the early seventies, particularly those male stars wishing to develop a striking image. For the ‘teeny bopper’ generation, groups such as The Osmonds (white suits with black shirts) and Bay City Rollers (bell bottom stage suits with tartan trim) were much copied.

Glam Rock

Think Glam Rock and you will immediately think of the 70s. Tight lycra jumpsuits, sequins and platforms. Glam Rock first started about 1973 and had reached its peak by 1975 and was taken over by the punk movement in 1977. Glam Rock allowed both men and women to wear outlandish colours, sequins and make up. The pop stars of the day Marc Bolan, David Bowie & Mick Jagger realised that ‘sex sells’ and exploited it to the full.
Jumpsuits are a risk to purchase without being able to try them on. If your body is too long, you will find that what is on show is more than you bargained for! Many suppliers are now selling two piece items that are far more flexible.

Also, bear in mind that lycra is designed to fit fairly snugly. So be honest with yourself, do you have the body that this style will suit? Look at the model in the picture, even if the costume states it is suitable for a size 18, the model may only be a size 10. Will the design still suit your particular body shape?

Do not worry if maybe lycra is not your thing. Ladies can still wear A line dresses. Many are available for all sizes, just stay away from black and white designs that are more 60s. Men can wear a pair of flares and a frilled shirt and have a great 70s look.

Teddy Boys
In the mid- 1970’s a return to the Edwardian era took place, with Laura Ashley prints and Edwardian high-neck blouses making a comeback for the ladies. This look was all about a natural, floaty, feminine look and was worn with little or no make-up. The Teddy Boy jacket (originally named after Edward VII) made another appearance but this time using brightly coloured and glittery fabrics. Bands such as Showaddywaddy and Mud took this look on as their own.

1970s Pimps, Suits and Frilled Shirts
Pimp costumes are very popular choice for a 70s themed party. Available in many various styles, most fabrics tend to be velvet or fur print. Pimps are not strictly a 70s phenomenon and have evolved from exaggerated film characters. Even so, pimps are one of the most popular 1970s costumes for men.

Pimp costumes are available in many sizes and to suit various budgets. Pimp costumes are just great to accessorise. There is just so much choice from wigs, moustaches, sideburns, rings, medallions, pimp sticks, hats etc… If you love a bit of bling, then the pimp costume is for you!

So, if the men are going as pimps, what can the ladies wear? Well, there are lady pimp suits on the market or you can go as the pimp’s ‘hoe’ or tart! There is plenty of choice on the market in a variety of styles. Add a wig, some knee high, platform boots and eyelashes and you are ready to party the night away!

1970s Fancy dress suits are also available and tend to be in more subtle colours than the pimp costumes. Frilled shirts are available to buy separately. Do take care when buying a cheaper shirt as we have found that they come apart at the seams very easily.

The Punk Phenomenon
Punk hit the world in the mid 70s and things were never going to be the same. Punk was based on anti government and political views and anarchy, basically anything anti-authoritarian. As unemployment was high, young people didnt have the spare money for new outfits, so they adapted their old clothes by tearing jeans, tops and adding safety pins and chains. Vivien Westwood & Malcom Maclaren are generally thought to be the punk pioneers. Punk lasted until the early 80s as a fashion / music trend

There are many punk accessories available on the market that you can purchase to compliment a purchased outfit, or one that you’ve put together at home.

It is very easy to put your own punk outfit together at home. All you need is some ripped jeans, old tops, some safety pins, scrap pieces of tartan (not essential) and maybe some light chains.

        • Rip the jeans even more! Sew pieces of tartan, on the inside to cover some of the holes, so that when you turn them the right way, you can see tartan where the hole is.
        • Leave some holes, as holes. You may want to attach some safety pins to each side of the hole.
        • Link some chain from some safety pins to others.
        • Do exactly the same with your tops.
        • Basically, you can do whatever you want with this fashion statement.

1970s Television Ideas

1970s Popular Television Programmes some of these will bring back memories & Scooby Doo Fancy Dressshould give you some costume ideas …

  • Top Cat
  • Scooby-Doo
  • Wacky Races
  • The Pink Panther
  • Charlie’s Angels
  • Starsky & Hutch
  • Dukes of Hazard
  • The Sweeney
  • The Muppet show
  • Animal Magic
  • Blue Peter
  • Magic Roundabout
  • Mr Benn (very appropriate!)
  • Pipkins
  • Rainbow
  • Grange Hill
  • The Wombles
  • Just William
  • Rentaghost
Posted in 1970s, Decades | Tagged 1970s television costume ideas, 1970s television programmes, 70's telly ideas, 70s, 70s TV costume ideas | Leave a reply

1970s Music Ideas

1970s Music that may give you some costume inspiration…

  • Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In the Sky
  • Elvis Presley – The Wonder Of You
  • Rod Stewart – Maggie May, You Wear It Well,
  • New Seekers – I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing,
  • Alice Cooper – School’s Out
  • You Won’t find Another Fool Like Me
  • Mud – Tiger Feet
  • Donny Osmond – Puppy Love
  • Wizzard – See My Baby Jive
  • Gary Glitter – I am The Leader Of The Gang (I am)
  • Abba – Waterloo
  • Carl Douglas – Kung Fu Fighting
  • David Cassidy Daydreamer
  • Slade – Merry Christmas Everybody
  • The Police Roxanne
  • The Sex Pistols Anarchy in the UK
  • Abba Dancing Queen
  • Dire Straits Sultans of Swing
  • Blue Oyster Cult (Dont Fear) The Reaper
  • Lou Reed Walk on the Wild Side
  • Santana Black Magic woman
  • Sister Sledge We are Family
  • David Bowie Heroes
  • Edwin Starr War
  • Elton John Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  • Billy Joel – Vienna, wear a Venetian mask
  • Kenny Rogers – The Gambler
  • Heart – Magic Man
  • Kraftwerk – The Robots
  • Billy Joel – Captain Jack – a must for a Jack Sparrow costume
Posted in 1970s, Decades, Music of the 70s | Tagged 1970s music, 70's costumes music, 70's music ideas, 70s music fancy dress ideas | Leave a reply

Punk Costume Ideas

Mohican - Multi Punk Wigview

Mohican - Multi Punk Wig

£7.20
Punk Spiked Braceletview

Punk Spiked Bracelet

£1.70
Punk Spiked Chokerview

Punk Spiked Choker

£2.70

Punk
Punk rock is largely associated with its political and economic roots. Punk rock originated in the early 1970s when there was much political unrest and the economies of many countries were facing great difficulties. For many, punk rock was less about the music created and more about the views it put forward. Punk rock was considered outrageous by many, both in terms of the music and the fashion. To begin with there was a Punk wave in both America and Britain, however, it continued to become a global movement.

In Britain Punk Rock began at a time of economic recession, an era of strikes and general social dissatisfaction, especially amongst the youth. Almost all British Punk groups expressed their frustration with social alienation and political issues.

Punk rock started as an underground music scene and it wasnt until the Ramones and the Sex Pistols less to wider spread awareness and popularity. There are many key players in the creation of punk rock, perhaps most notably Malcolm Mclaren.

The Sex Pistols, one of the most iconic punk rock bands, arose from a London clothes shop that was run by Malcolm Mclaren and Vivienne Westwood. The clothes boutique Sex specialised in the clothing that defined the punk generation. It was here that John Lydon, later Johnny Rotten met future Sex Pistols manager Mclaren.

Punk clothing is often used to make a statement and can vary in styles enormously. Punk clothing began as handmade and there was a large DIY element to it. Punk costumes are very easy to put together at home by using a number of safety pins in ripped clothing and over exaggerated hairstyles for example. Punk clothing could be very controversial but generally included leather and clothes customised with slogans and patches. Punk clothing generally aimed to go deliberately against mainstream clothing and was anti-materialistic.

Punk Costumes
Punk costumes are available to purchase and hire, from fancy dress shops, and are a very popular costume choice, especially for a 70s or 80s themed fancy dress party.

It is not necessary to purchase an entire costume, punk is one of those themes you can easily put together yourself at home. All you need are old clothing such as:

  • Tee shirts
  • Jeans
  • Dark Dresses
  • Skirts

Colours tended to be dark, but not 100%, you can basically do whatever you want. Deliberately rip areas of clothes, for an added punk effect back the rips with some off cuts of tartan, this could even be stapled on if you do not wish to sew it in position it all adds to the overall effect. Safety pins can be added either on their own, or on chains across the ripped areas.

Boots such as motorcycle boots and doctor martins can be worn, chunky boots tend to look better than anything too delicate.

A great ladies top tip wear a pair of our coloured tights, and then cover these with a pair of our pothole tights. This will give a torn look on the legs and works really well for a sexier punk look.

There are so many punk accessories available to purchase to help you complete either a purchased costume, or one you have put together yourself at home. Props & Frocks stocks a huge range including:

  • Chokers
  • Bracelets
  • Body Piercings
  • Studded gloves
  • Fishnet Studded Gloves
  • Studded bangles
  • Studded headbands

Punk hair is as varied as its clothing. Individuality is the key to the punk movement, so basically, again, anything goes. Why not back comb your own hair, secure it in place with hairspray, wax or other styling products? You can colour your own hair with one of our water based coloured hairsprays (do not use on coloured, or treated hair, or it may last longer than you are expecting!). Many fancy dress wigs are suitable for a punk look, from the more traditional punk Mohican look, to wacky bunches, but equally any coloured wig is suitable to use.

Go on, show your wild streak and go as a punk to your next fancy dress party.