Hey Alexa, play "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees because tonight we are going to party like it's 1977. Why you may ask? That's because it's Halloween baby, and there's no better time than to dress up as your favorite decade. After all, the 1970s was the decade in which disco was born, making it one of our favorites. Not only that, it was a time of experimentation and rebellion leading to many key pop culture moments in TV, film and music. And we haven't even mentioned all the fashion choices: bell bottoms, tie-dye and platform shoes galore!
Halloween is the one day a year where you can dress up as anything you want to be. And we here at Wide Open Country think that the 1970s have a plethora of amazing options for you to choose from. Whether you are Generation Alpha or a Boomer, this iconic decade has something for everyone. There are even some fun group costumes that can get the whole family involved.
So without further ado, here are 38 Halloween costumes that are all 1970s-inspired. Let's get groovy, baby.
1. John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever
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One of the most iconic costumes to be for Halloween is and always will be being John Travolta as Tony Manero from the 1977 film, Saturday Night Fever. The all-white suit is a moment and if you learn the dance scene you will be our favorite person of all time.
2. Stephanie Mangano from Saturday Night Fever
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We couldn't tell you to be Tony Manero without having an option for the ladies as Stephanie Mangano, played by Karen Lynn Gorney. We truly dream about that off-the-shoulder red dress.
3. Disco Barbie
Warner Bros.
We mentioned dressing up as Barbie in our Halloween costume roundup for women, but since this is a list of 1970s costumes, in the year of Barbie, you can be a Disco Barbie!
4. Disco Anything
Sticking with our "disco" theme, you can just dress up as if you are going to a disco party and call it a day. Grab anything shiny and sparkly, add bell bottoms and bell sleeves, and you are good to go.
5. Discoball
Why dress up as disco when you could just be disco? A disco ball that is. There are tons of really cute silver outfits on the internet that would be an "inspired-by" moment, but you can also be a literal disco ball with a DIY project (which we personally think is hilarious).
6. Rocky
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Another idea that is sure to hit hard (... see what we did there?) is to be Rocky Balboa from the classic Rocky movies. This could be a super simple costume with shiny gym shorts and red boxing gloves, however six packs (of abs or beer) are sadly not included.
7. Mary Tyler Moore
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The Mary Tyler Moore Show aired from 1970-1977 and was such an empowering series for women. Go thrifting with your friends and recreate any of her stunning looks from the show for Halloween.
8. Willy Wonka
No, we're not talking about Timothy Chalemet's Wonka reboot, we are talking about the OG Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory that came out in 1971 with Gene Wilder as the title character. After all, that purple suit and orange top hat is a moment.
9. Charlie's Angels
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Although we may associate Charlie's Angels with Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu, the original TV show came out in 1976 and we think it's the perfect costume for a group of three friends.
10. Farrah Fawcett
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If you don't have a couple of friends to be Charlie's Angels with, you could go as one of the angels themselves: Farrah Fawcett. There might not be any other actress that was quite as popular as her at the time.
11. Elton John
The legend that is Elton John hit his stride during the 1970s with hits like "Your Song," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Rocket Man." But what really set him apart as a musician was his showmanship as a performer. There truly are too many looks to choose from but we are partial to the sparkly Dodgers baseball ensemble.
12. David Bowie (Ziggy Stardust)
David Bowie, or Ziggy Stardust as he was known during his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, definitely gives Elton John a run for his money in the looks and performance category. There is a lot of opportunity to have fun with this costume.
13. Freddie Mercury
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We wouldn't be doing our job if we mentioned Elton John and David Bowie and didn't mention Freddie Mercury. While some of the more popular costume ideas have come from his performances in the 1980s, Queen did become popular in the 1970s so we thought he was worth including as an option for Halloween.
14. Stevie Nicks
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For our ladies, we had to include Stevie Nicks as a rock n' roll costume. She's the ultimate ethereal-rock-goddess-witch, making lots of options to find something from your closet or at the thrift shop.
15. Willie Nelson
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Willie Nelson is a national treasure who released some of his most iconic albums in the '70s — Shotgun Willie, Phases and Stages, Red Headed Stranger, and, of course, Wanted: The Outlaws.
Rock Nelson's signature braids and bandana for an easy and iconically '70s costume. You could even team up with your best pal and go as Waylon and Willie.
16. Diana Ross
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If want to be an actual disco diva, look no further than the queen that is Diana Ross. Another legend with too many looks to choose from, you can't go wrong with any Diana-esque sparkly gown.
17. '70s Elvis
Yes, we know that Elvis hit the scene in the 1950s, but one of his most famous performance get-ups was from the '70s. Everyone will be "All Shook Up" over your look.
18. John Lennon and Yoko Ono
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Grab an all-white ensemble, a couple of wigs and a "War is over!" sign and you and your partner will be a Halloween party favorite as John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
19. ABBA
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Another disco costume idea: grab a couple of friends and be the iconic pop group ABBA. You'll be dancing the night away — some may even call you the dancing queen.
20. KISS
Looking for another group costume? Look no further than the rock band KISS. It's a little bit more involved than other costumes on this list (let's face it: the stage makeup is a priority.) That said, we think you'll have a rockin' Halloween with this outfit.
21. Sonny and Cher
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We got you, babe! Sonny and Cher is another perfect couple costume.
22. Daisy Jones & The Six
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Ok, Daisy Jones & The Six might not be a real band, but it doesn't mean they don't completely rock. The hit series Daisy Jones & The Six, based on the Taylor Jenkins Reid novel of the same name, chronicles the rise and fall of a band set against the backdrop of '70s rock music. Even better, the costume designer took inspiration from real life '70s rock queens, such as Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks. Spend a day at your favorite vintage or thrift shop, pick out your favorite '70s looks and be the best dressed at the party. Bonus? You can re-wear your "costume" after Halloween and still be on trend.
23. Anyone from Animal House
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Okay yes, dressing up in a toga is very reminiscent of the ancient Roman empire, but lest you forget the 1978 cult classic film known as Animal House.
24. The Brady Bunch
The Brady Brunch, another iconic TV show from the 1970s, is a great costume if you are rolling deep with your friends to the party. But you can always go as just one of the bunch as well.
25. Star Wars
The very first Star Wars film ever, Episode IV — A New Hope, came out in 1977. What a great year for pop culture! Go as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia or even Darth Vader for Halloween.
26. Josie and the Pussycats
Before the cult classic Josie and the Pussycats film, staring Rachel Leigh Cook, Tara Reid and Rosario Dawson, it was a short-lived animated series in 1970. Dress up like a cute rocker, grab your cat ears, and you're ready for Halloween.
27. Scooby-Doo
The original Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! cartoon hit its prime in the early '70s, making this another great option for a group Halloween costume.
28. Laverne and Shirley
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This one is for the girls out there. There truly is no better gal pal duo from the 1970s than Laverne and Shirley. Grab your bestie and you're bound to have the best Halloween ever in this get-up.
29. The Blues Brothers
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If we're going to talk about Laverne and Shirley, then we have to include the iconic male duo, The Blues Brothers. While the movie didn't come out until 1980, the SNL sketch originally aired in 1978. Grab a black suit and tie, black ray bans, and a fedora hat to finish the look.
30. Carrie
Carrie came out in 1976 and is still a top Halloween costume to wear no matter the decade. Repping Carrie soaked in blood at the Prom never goes out of style.
31. The Godfather
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The Godfather came out in 1972 and the hold that this film still has on cinephiles is unmatched, making it another classic Halloween costume option.
32. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
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The Rocky Horror Picture Show is truly the definition of a cult classic film, originally coming out in 1975. Any of the characters are perfect choices for Halloween costumes, but we're personally partial to Columbia.
33. Ron Burgundy from Anchorman
Ok, we know that Anchorman is not a movie from the '70s, but it does take place in the '70s so we feel that it counts for this Halloween costume roundup. Grab a Burgundy suit and a mustache and you are Ron Burgundy. There's a ton of opportunities to have fun with this costume, including interviewing the hippies and disco queens all night long.
34. Michael Meyers from Halloween
The last of the movie-themed '70s Halloween costumes, and maybe the most iconic: Michael Meyers from the movie named after the holiday itself, Halloween. The original movie came out in 1978, making this the perfect outfit for the occasion.
35. A Go-Go Dancer
Now we are going to get into a couple of classic Halloween costumes. A super fun one is to be a go-go dancer. While yes, go-go dancers are more affiliated with the '60s, they were still very much a thing in the earlier '70s. Plus it's always fun to rock those boots.
36. A Hippie
Hippies were still grooving well into the '70s as well, making them a very easy costume to pull together for Halloween. The more fringe the better.
37. Rock the Tie-Dye
Tie-dye goes along with the hippie costume, but you honestly could put on a tie-dye shirt, whip out some bell bottoms, and call it a day for an easy look.
38. A Lava Lamp
One of our favorite '70s costume ideas on this list has to be the lava lamp, which was a very popular household item throughout the entire decade.
