How to Dress Like a 70s Superstar!



This outfit was 1970s inspired from tip to toe. If you want to be a fabulous, 1970s superstar like me, you need only three key elements, and the ability to play with a few extras and, presto: superstar!

Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton

Looking at Linda's outfit here, can you name at least one of the three elements? Sure you can!

You're right! A 70s funky outfit staple is pants tucked into brown, beige, or caramel high boots.

Soul Train

Could this couple be any cooler? I think not!

The pants-in-boots look was cool on men ...

Abba

... and women alike.

Abba

And it was the absolute best if the pants were corduroy. This is the second key element to dressing like a 70s superstar: corduroy.

Pants: Reitman's; Boots: Ecco; Shirt: boutique; Coat-cape: London Fog; Triangle ring and earrings: Birks; Necklace: a gift; Rafael ring, Sarah Coventry ring, sunglasses, brooch, and purse: vintage

Am I not undeniably cool with my corduroys tucked into my boots? Of course I am!

God invented corduroy for the 1970s.

Everyone knows that.

Every sharp dressed man ...

Jaqueline Smith

... and woman wore corduroy, preferably from head to toe ...

... or at least to boot-top.

Abba

Three out of four Swedes did it. Is that not proof enough?

Now that you have mastered the first two elements of dressing like a 70s superstar, you are ready to tackle the third: the artful combination of orange and brown.

Women wore it.

Stevie Wonder

Unutterably cool men wore it.

The cast of Welcome Back Kotter, with a very young John Travolta, second from left

Not so cool men wore it (along with corduroy, as you see on Mr. Kotter here).

Walls and chairs and carpets and all manor of furniture wore it.

Even placemats wore it!

It was just that cool. Mix in a little mustard yellow or tomato red and: tres groovy!

The Jackson Five

Put it all together and you have disco perfection, as demonstrated by the musical young gentleman on the far right.

Now that you know all three essential elements to dressing like a 70s superstar, let's get down to some of the extras, like accessories. Be sure to extend your browns and oranges into your jewelry choices, as I have done here with my rings ...

... and my necklace, an orange garnet pendant. 

Remember that bronze, the metallic cousin of orange, is a great addition to any 70s outfit.

Farrah Fawcett

Same goes for glorious gold. Pile it on, drip with it, roll in it. This is the 1970s, baby. Restraint is so old-fashioned.

Shine for the world, gorgeous!

And let it shine right back at you! 

Cher, Elton John, and Diana Ross.

Shine and glitter and sparkle ...

Even on your eyes, here with a little bronze and gold ...



Cher

Just like Cher in a barely there, Bob Mackie masterpiece.

Hoopy earrings are good too, especially in textured gold.

Pam Grier

Though shiny gold is great too.

Linda Ronstadt

Basically, big gold hoops in general are just all round good.

Next step: let your hair down, both literally and metaphorically.

Crystal Gayle

Really really let it down, man!

Outside Studio 54

Now tuck those pants into your boots and head down to Studio 54. Don't worry: if you've followed my instructions, you'll get in ...



Studio 54 by Tod Papageorge

... to the land of the gilded glitterati, where disco reigns supreme.

Studio 54 by Tod Papageorge

You will see things you've never seen before. Heck, you might even do things you've never done before.

Photo by Todd Papageorge

And, if you party as people tend to do there ...

Studio 54 photo by Tod Papageorge

... hard and with the assistance of copious amounts of coke and poppers, among other things ...

If you do all that, you may feel just a tad under the weather the next day ...

... and in need of sunglasses. No problem!

You've got that covered too ...

Cher and Elton John

... like all the superstars ...

Robert Redford

... brightly shining ...

Jo and Blair from Facts of Life. Note Blair's corduroy blazer. Why didn't these two ever just kiss and make out... I mean make up?

... or dimly glowing.

You're already a superstar, but, if you'd like to shine even more brightly, you can add some folk elements to your outfit. Try a little embroidery.

You just can't go wrong.

Pile on the rings.

... like Cher!

Or perhaps your chosen folk element can be a really great cape ...

... or even a cape coat ...

... that does odd, unexpected things ...

... in chocolate brown.

Go forth now, you sly superstar, you! Your path to 1970s decadence lies before you all shining and golden.

You are good to go!

The world will meet you, brown for brown and orange for orange.

And remember, you have not created just one outfit. Oh no, not you. Now that you know the basics, try mixing and matching all the elements and extras for a dramatic, disco-licious groove.

Have fun. Play.

What could possibly ...

... go wrong?

The Brady Bunch

Absolutely nothing, that's what!

After all, you're a superstar!

Just like me.

(I'm sharing this with Sydney Fashion Hunter, Rachel the Hat, Adri Lately, Fashion Should Be Fun, Happiness at Midlife, Not Dead Yet, Not Dressed as Lamb, and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish.)