Disco Dance Outfits

With the surge in retro parties, the demand for disco dance outfits is rising. Whether you're going to build your own, go hunting through vintage stores, or just buy one from e-Bay, disco dance outfits mean one thing: DANCE.

What exactly qualifies as "disco" style? Various people will give you different answers, but the overwhelming theme was flamboyance, release, and exuberance. People used disco as an escape from their humdrum, 9-to-5 job, and the clothes reflected that: things that were never appropriate in streetwear were required as a dress code into the popular disco dance clubs.

The epitome of disco dance clothing for men was the open-chested shiny, reflective shirt, usually accessorized with one or more shiny gold chains and medallions (a precursor to the "bling" popular with rappers and hip-hop artists). Pants were tight on top, to emphasize the shape of the hips and buttocks, but loose in the "bellbottom" style at the ankles. This made the fabric move when the dancer did the fancy footwork moves, whether in unison or solo, that let the men show off on the dance floor. In sociological terms, the disco was a mating ritual where the men showed off their prowess with the latest choreography and the most flamboyant clothes, like a peacock on the dance floor.

Women's clothing also accentuated body shape, with tight tops that often barely covered the breasts (whether through a deep décolletage or just a tiny string bikini) and even tighter "hot pants" or "micro mini" skirts. If there were flowing material in the outfit, it tended to be sheer or translucent, still highlighting and showing off the dancers body.

The lamé jumpsuit also was quite popular, especially after Diana Ross made it famous in her performances. In some ways it mirrored the male outfit – open chest, tight at the hips, loose and flowing around the shoes – but was all in one piece, made of reflective gold or silver material. Usually these were also sleeveless and shoulder-less, the top fastened at the back of the neck halter-top style. Often a very wide belt was worn with these jumpsuits.

There were two other prime elements of women's disco dance clothing: the shoes and the hair. The shoes tended to be high-heeled, but only the most daring would wear stilettos – the shoes were meant for dancing, so sturdy platform heels were more common. Hairstyles were like the rest of the disco philosophy – big, flamboyant, and wild. Hairspray was used by the canful to make the giant feathered wavy hairdos.

There are basically three ways to acquire your own disco outfit – and it's a good idea to have one, as more and more parties, theme nights, and other social occasions are going "retro" with '70's disco themes.

While it won't be the most authentic disco outfit, you can pretty easily buy some party play gold jewelry at a toy store or second hand store. Wearing a bright shirt with the collar unbuttoned down a ways would be enough for a man's outfit. Women can just choose to wear bikini tops with tight jeans or even athletic tights spangled with some glued-on sequins. Any regular-cut pants could be made into bellbottoms with the insertion of darts, maybe of some glittery material.

Almost every town has a "vintage" clothing shop, where you can find authentic '70's fashion. While it may be tricky finding your own size, you are almost guaranteed to have something that is unique and certainly authentic. There are vintage sources online, as well, such as Sazz Vintage or Black Light Vintage.

There's nothing saying you have to wear used clothing to be disco – retailers such as BuyCostumes sell full "discolicious" costumes specially made for adults who want to shake their groove thing.

Remember that disco is carefree and fun – so make your outfit the same!

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