Disco might be dead, but the aesthetic has replaced the roaring '20s as the costume-centric party theme of choice. Honestly, we're not complaining. Disco style, which peaked from the 1970s to early '80s, featured sparkling ensembles styled to stand out even on a dark and crowded discothèque dance floor. And because of its roots in the music scene, there are plenty of genres to pull from so you can mix and match when putting together a disco-inspired outfit.
Elements of the '70s trends making a comeback this year, including flared bottoms, cropped tops, and dramatically flowy silhouettes can be found in disco style. The main difference between everyday '70s fashion and disco is that the latter turns the drama all the way up. Suede fringe is replaced by shimmery metallics, hemlines on dresses are lifted way up, and sequins cover the surfaces of everything from separates to accessories. In addition to making a major fashion statement, disco outfits of the era also had to be functional: If you couldn't get down in an outfit, it wasn't cut out for the disco. Ahead, we've rounded up 18 disco outfits that tick all the boxes of this standout aesthetic, you dig?
Dramatic Velvet Flares
We're not talking about a bit of flare or a touch of a wide-leg silhouette. To make a pair of flare pants feel disco based on silhouette alone, you need to go full out and over the top. Add a distressed graphic tee or shimmery halter top, one pair of platform boots, shake well, and you've got yourself a disco outfit for the ages.
A Zip-Up Jumpsuit
Jumpsuits were huge in the 1970s and a zip-up jumpsuit perfectly captures the disco era's embrace of overt sensuality. Accessorize with a chain statement belt and keep your zipper low for maximum smolder.
Bell Sleeves
A minidress with bell sleeves is instantly recognizable as a disco outfit, doubly so if it features a groovy abstract print or sequin detailing. Comfortable boots are an obvious choice for this look, but feel free to add a bit of a modern touch with strappy sandals or platform pumps.
A Sparkly Jumpsuit
A gold rhinestone-studded jumpsuit like Taylor Swift's nails disco texture, silhouette, and embellishments, making it a truly best-in-class disco outfit. If you'll be dancing all night long, we recommend wearing a pair of matching metallic flats.
A Shaggy Faux Fur Jacket
When it comes to disco outfit outerwear, you can't beat a shaggy faux fur coat. Larger-than-life fur coats were a staple of the disco era and you can rock the trend in cruelty-free technicolor today thanks to brands like Rotate Birger Christensen. Polish off this disco outfit with a matching mini-bag.
Glittery Thigh-High Boots
While a pair of shimmering statement boots and a sleek black mini-dress isn't technically a historically accurate disco outfit, all the elements of the disco aesthetic are there. This look is bold, glittery, and comfortable enough that you can boogie down all night in it.
Go-Go Boots
If, on the other hand, you want to look like you've stepped straight out of Studio 54, we recommend styling a short dress with a pair of white go-go boots, a style of footwear that's practically synonymous with disco. Classic go-go boots are shiny, white, and hit just below the knee although taller versions deliver an equally groovy vibe.
Oversized Collars
Don't sleep on separates when planning your disco outfit. After all, John Travolta's Saturday Night Fever suits are as iconic as they come thanks to his oversized shirt collar and close-fitting vest. Channel his vibe with a button-down featuring a dramatically oversized collar.
A Glam Duster Jacket
Long coats are another disco-era staple. While they were popular in the 1970s, you can ensure that any disco outfit featuring a duster jacket feels on-theme by choosing one in a luxe material with a bit of shine to it rather than a velvet or crocheted version.
Psychedelic Prints
Disco fashion wasn't all glitz and bling. It was also characterized by vivid prints in trippy colors, the more abstract and psychedelic, the better. If you go the pattern route with your disco outfit, be sure to that your 'fit contains other visual disco cues like metallic accessories or platform footwear, to avoid showing up at the disco in something better suited for Woodstock.
A Front-Tied Crop Top
For a more casual disco outfit, we recommend slipping into one of this era's easiest separates: a front-tied crop top and a pair of matching pants.
A Gold Minidress
Gold lamé was the metallic of choice in the '70s, but if you can't find the fabric in a silhouette you love, a gold sequined minidress serves just as much disco.
A Fully Sequined Suit
For maximum disco energy, lean all the way into the era's penchant for sparkle with a fully-sequined suit. Add a halter top or button-down with an oversized collar underneath or go bare under your jacket for a provocative look that would make Grace Jones proud.
A Mod Minidress
There's a reason disco dresses broke off from the '70s maxi-length hems and veered towards micro-mini territory. Simply put, a short dress is much easier to dance in. A mod mini with a loose-fitting silhouette means you can bust out all your best moves on the dance floor, and picking a mini with plenty of glittering embellishments is a must.
Flower Power Pants
Take a cue from vintage-loving fashionista Emma Fridsell and add an eye-popping psychedelic floral print to your disco outfit. Rather than mixing florals with metallics, we recommend doing as Fridsell did and adding a shaggy shearling coat on top.
Disco Ball Accessories
Give the crochet style of the '70s big disco energy by incorporating metallic woven accessories into your disco outfit. Silver is an obvious choice, especially if your look features paillettes or sequins.
Statement Sunnies
What's more disco than tinted lenses worn at night? Not much. Oversized sunnies in unusual and creative shapes perfectly encapsulate this era's emphasis on breaking boundaries and stepping outside of the box, so it makes sense that they were big in the disco scene. If you're looking for a more toned down disco outfit, find yourself some funky sunglasses and call it a day.
Lace-Up Pants
Another very era-appropriate style of bottoms that will complete any disco outfit is a pair of lace-up pants. While flares seem like the natural choice, the lacing detail, especially if the pants are high-waisted or the laces themselves are suede, deliver enough disco energy that the rest of their silhouette matters less.