Your 1970s Style Festival Playbook: From Boho to Disco

UK festivals ask a lot of an outfit. You need comfort for long days, a little weather-proofing, and enough personality to stand out in a sea of sequins and wellies. The 1970s delivers all three, from free-spirited boho to late-night disco shimmer.

This playbook brings festival-and-summer-party styling ideas for women and men, rooted in authentic 1970s silhouettes. Think maxi dresses and crochet by day, metallics and tailored flares by night, with platforms, knee boots, and statement jewellery to finish.

At My Vintage, every piece has a story, and most are one-of-a-kind. That makes getting the fit and fabric care right especially important, so you will also find a quick sizing guide and summer care tips drawn from how we measure and describe garments online.

The 70s Festival Mood

The decade is wonderfully plural. Early 70s bohemia leaned into prairie and peasant dresses, crochet layers, cheesecloth blouses, kaftans, and earth tones. Mid 70s glam brought lurex, satin, sequins, and high-shine suiting. Late 70s disco loved fluid jumpsuits, jersey maxi dresses, halternecks, and platforms. Across it all, flares reigned, shirts had big collars, and accessories made the outfit.

If you are planning a UK festival, mix soft, breathable day looks with after-dark sparkle. Pack clever layers, and let one hero piece lead each outfit.

What to Wear to a 70s Party or Festival

• Day boho: a white embroidered maxi or Victoriana-style maxi dress with a crochet waistcoat, finished with a tooled leather belt and a small crossbody or crochet bag. Add a floppy hat or a gold lurex turban for sun and style.

• Night disco: a metallic knit or glitter jersey jumpsuit with a cinched waist, or a sequin-trim maxi. Platforms for height, a clutch for essentials, and bold earrings to catch the stage lights.

• Mens 70s done right: tailored flares with a printed or silky shirt, or a cream Gabicci-style polo for day; switch to a velvet or satin-trim jacket at night. A wide belt and stacked-heel shoes complete the silhouette.

For more deep-dive inspiration on silhouettes and era notes, explore our guide to 70s fashion at My Vintage. You will find examples of original boho maxis, lurex disco pieces, flared trousers, and shirts with those glorious collars, all curated as authentic vintage 70s clothing.

Dresses that Defined the Decade

The 1970s loved length and drama. Popular dress styles included:

• Boho and prairie maxi dresses with lace inserts, puff sleeves, and ditsy florals.

• Shirtwaister midis and midaxis in bold geometrics and stripes.

• Kaftans in jewel tones or floral prints, ideal for warm afternoons.

• Disco dresses in chiffon, lurex, and jersey with halter necks, plunging V fronts, or cape details.

  
  

If you are building a festival wardrobe, a single maxi dress can carry you from grass to dance tent. Swap a daytime crochet layer for a gold chain belt and a sequin scarf at night. You can browse a rotating selection of vintage dresses online at My Vintage, including 1970s dresses in sizes that change with each one-off find.

Flares, Jumpsuits and Tailored Sparkle

Flares are a 70s signature for everyone. Look for high waists, a clean hip, and a leg that widens from the knee. Pair with a silky printed shirt or a fine-knit polo in mustard, olive, rust, or jewel brights. Jumpsuits offer instant disco energy and pack well for travel. Choose breathable blends for day and metallics for night. For colder evenings, a suede jacket or a lightweight trench keeps the look era-true without bulk.

Mens options span from soft boho to sharp glam. Try cream or black flares with a ruffled or satin-finish shirt, then add a wide statement belt. A velvet blazer or a glam-rock waistcoat is perfect for VIP bars and late sets.

You will find mens 70s fashion and broader men's vintage clothing across our curated categories, with laid-flat measurements to help nail the fit before you head out.

Shoes That Were Big in the 1970s

Height and attitude mattered. Platforms topped the list for both women and men, from rainbow-stacked sandals to chunky brogues. Knee boots were popular with maxi dresses and mini looks alike, while western and snakeskin boots appeared in both boho and rock looks. For daytime comfort, try wedge sandals or sturdy leather clogs. If the forecast is changeable, pack a spare pair and a few blister plasters.

My Vintage regularly lists original vintage shoes and boots, including platforms and western-inspired pairs that work hard at festivals.

Accessorise Like the Decade

Accessories make a 70s outfit sing. Choose:

• Crochet or macramé bags, petite patent shoulder bags, or a sleek clutch for night.

• Statement belts in suede, plaited metallics, or embellished velvet.

• Jewellery that glows against festival lights, from chunky cuffs to long pendants and dramatic earrings.

Original vintage jewellery and second hand jewellery from My Vintage delivers the era’s texture and shine without feeling costumey. One special piece is often all you need.

Quick My Vintage Size and Fit Guide

Authentic vintage does not follow modern size labels. At My Vintage, listings use laid-flat measurements to remove the guesswork. To find your festival fit:

• Measure a similar garment you love, laid flat on a table. Note bust, waist, hip, and inside leg for trousers or jumpsuits.

• Compare with the product page measurements, allowing ease for movement and dancing.

• For flares, check waist, rise, and leg length. Platforms add height, but knee boots can shorten the leg line, so choose hem lengths accordingly.

• For maxi dresses and jumpsuits, check shoulder-to-hem or inside leg against your height, and plan footwear.

If in doubt, contact the team. With one-of-a-kind stock, quick questions now save disappointment later.

Caring for Vintage Fabrics in Summer Heat

Festival days can be dusty, sweaty, and occasionally muddy. Protect delicate 70s fabrics so they last beyond one weekend.

• Lurex, sequins, and chiffon do best with gentle spot cleaning and airing. Pack a soft cloth for quick freshen-ups.

• Avoid overloading vintage seams with heavy bags. Belt at the natural waist to distribute weight evenly.

• Use underarm shields with delicate dresses and jumpsuits. They are a quiet hero in warm weather.

• Hang to air overnight, away from direct heat. Fold for travel using acid-free tissue if you have it, and keep rain away from suede and untreated leather.

• When you are home, follow listing guidance. Many 70s items prefer specialist cleaning. If you hand wash, use cool water and avoid wringing.

  
  

Set-Dressing and Group Costume Ideas

Planning a 70s-themed gathering, a hen-weekend house, or a theatre group booking for a festival fringe? My Vintage supplies period-accurate looks and can advise on silhouettes, continuity, and practical fabrics. Add mid-century homeware touches like smoked glass, genie bottles, or wicker baskets to transform a tent or rental into a 70s lounge. The result is immersive, photogenic, and sustainable.

Fast Answers to Popular 70s Styling Question

• What should I wear for a 70s party? Choose a hero piece that signals the era. For women, a boho maxi or a disco jumpsuit with a gold belt and platforms. For men, tailored flares with a printed shirt or a velvet blazer at night.

• What dress styles were popular in the 1970s? Prairie and boho maxis, shirtwaister midis, kaftans, halterneck disco dresses, and jersey or lurex gowns with movement.

• What shoes were popular in the 1970s? Platforms for all, knee boots, wedges, and western or snakeskin boots. Stacked heels were big for menswear too.

• How do I put together a 70s outfit? Start with silhouette, then add one statement accessory. Balance textures, keep colours warm or high-shine, and finish with era-correct footwear.

• What were popular 70s hairstyles? Centre-parted waves, long boho hair with braids or scarves, feathered layers, and glam curls. For men, longer layered cuts, afros, and swept-back styles.

  
  

Where to Find Authentic Pieces that Last

Be unique and save the planet with original vintage clothing, accessories and jewellery from My Vintage. Browse curated vintage dresses for festival-ready maxis and disco numbers. Explore men's vintage clothing for flares, shirts, and jackets that fit the brief without looking like fancy dress. Most items are one-off, carefully measured, and shipped with care.

Summary and Next Step

The 1970s is a gift for UK festival style. By day, think breathable boho in maxis, crochet, and kaftans with suede or plaited belts. By night, lean into disco with lurex jumpsuits, metallic accents, and platforms. Choose accessories that do the talking, protect your vintage fabrics in the heat, and use laid-flat measurements to get the fit right first time.

Ready to build a look that moves from field to afterparty with ease? Explore My Vintage online for authentic 70s clothing and accessories, and let one great piece set the tone for your summer.