I’m Kayla, and I love trying clothes with a story. So I spent a full week wearing 70s male outfits. Real pants. Real shirts. Real shoes. Not costumes from a party store. I mixed true vintage with modern pieces that feel right.
You know what? It was fun. It was also hot. And loud. And kind of magic.
Why the 70s?
The shapes are bold. The collars are huge. Colors look warm and rich. Think Soul Train, Saturday Night Fever, that cousin with the gold chain. I wanted that swagger. But I also wanted to see if I could wear it on a normal Tuesday without feeling silly. Scrolling through the image archives at Super70s felt like leafing through a retro yearbook and gave me all the confidence I needed to commit.
For a concise breakdown of the key looks guys actually wore back then, I skimmed this guide to 70s men’s fashion, and it became my blueprint.
Let me explain what I wore, where I wore it, and what happened.
Outfit 1: The Leisure Suit That Smiles Back
- Brown polyester leisure suit jacket (Botany 500, vintage, size 38R)
- Matching pants, high waist
- Cream disco shirt with brown paisley print (Towncraft)
- Gold rope chain, 4 mm
- Ray-Ban RB3025 gold aviators, 58 mm
- Black platform loafers (Stacy Adams, 1.75-inch heel)
I wore this to a friend’s backyard BBQ. The jacket had wide lapels and big patch pockets. The shirt had a long point collar that sat over the lapels, just like the movies. The pants hit high on my waist and made my legs look long.
Pros? The shape was sharp. People smiled the second they saw me. A stranger said, “Bee Gees?” and did a tiny spin. I laughed.
Cons? Polyester runs hot. The fabric felt a bit scratchy. I got static cling near the hem. I used a dryer sheet on the pants, and it helped.
Outfit 2: Bootcuts and Corduroy, AKA Easy Day
- Levi’s 517 bootcut jeans (faded indigo, 31×32, bought used)
- Rust corduroy trucker jacket (Levi’s Type 3)
- Plain white tee (Hanes)
- Puma Suede Classic sneakers in red
- Big oval belt buckle with a longhorn
I wore this on a coffee run and to the office. The bootcut shape falls over shoes so nice. It gives a clean line without looking stiff. The cord jacket was warm but not sweaty. The big buckle felt silly when I sat down, then looked great when I stood up. Go figure.
This look got the most “Where’d you get that?” questions. It reads 70s, but it also feels current. No costume vibe, just cool.
Outfit 3: Disco Night Test — Shine and Spin
- Navy satin shirt with a wild geometric print (Nik-Nik style, modern repro)
- Wrangler bell-bottoms, high rise
- Black Chelsea boots with a 2-inch heel (Thursday Boots)
- Slim black scarf
I wore this to a retro skate night. The shirt moved like water. The pants flared just right, so when I skated, the hem had sway. I felt taller in the boots. I also felt brave. A little glam goes a long way.
The get-up had me flirting with the boundary between playful style and daring reveal—think of it as the fashion equivalent of the cheeky confidence on display in this French photo diary, je montre mon minou, which offers an unfiltered look at how owning your body can spark both liberation and fresh styling ideas.
Downside: the heels got heavy after two hours. My feet yelled at me, but my ego said keep going. I stretched my calves the next day. Worth it.
Outfit 4: Track Vibes for Errands
- Adidas track jacket, navy with white stripes
- Light-wash jeans, straight leg
- White tube socks with stripes
- Adidas Samba leather sneakers
This was my grocery store look. It felt sporty, clean, and still 70s. A dad in line nodded at my shoes and said, “Old school. Respect.” Small moment. Big grin.
Outfit 5: Movie-Night Mix — Velvet and Denim
- Black velvet blazer (vintage, slightly worn elbows)
- Thin cream turtleneck
- Levi’s 646 bootcut
- T.U.K. black platform creepers
- A spritz of Brut cologne (yes, that one)
We watched an old Bond film. The velvet caught the light, and the turtleneck kept it simple. The Brut scent took me straight to my uncle’s holiday parties—green bottle, big energy. One spray is plenty, trust me.
What Worked Great
- High waists are comfy. They hold you in without pinching.
- Bootcuts and flares make legs look long.
- Warm tones—rust, mustard, chocolate—make skin pop.
- A gold chain plus aviators = instant 70s.
- Corduroy is your friend in fall. It wears well and feels soft.
What Bugged Me
- Polyester runs warm and can itch. Anti-static spray helps.
- Vintage sizing is weird. A “Medium” can fit like a “Small.”
- Heeled boots look cool but tire feet fast.
- Wide collars can flip weird under jackets. Press them, and you’re fine.
Fit and Care Tips I Learned
- Measure, don’t guess. Check waist, rise, inseam, and leg opening.
- For flares, hem to hit the top of your heel. Too short ruins the look.
- Wash polyester on cold and hang dry. It stays smooth.
- Brush corduroy with a soft brush so it doesn’t crush.
- For old thrift finds, air them out in the sun for a few hours.
- A little tailoring goes far. I took in one waist 1 inch, and it changed everything.
Real-World Reactions
- My neighbor said, “You look like Soul Train stepped off the TV.” I took that as a win.
- My aunt touched the leisure suit sleeve and said, “My prom date wore this fabric.” Then we all laughed.
- A teen at the skate rink asked where I got my scarf. I said, “It’s just a thin one from a craft store.” He said, “Sick.” Made my night.
Those quick compliments made me wonder where else I could bring this newfound retro swagger and keep the good vibes rolling. If you’re in northern Colorado and want a short-cut guide to bars, dance nights, or themed events that welcome bell-bottoms and bold collars, check the local classifieds at Backpage Loveland—the regularly updated posts help you zero in on meet-ups and venues where showing up in satin and flares is more conversation starter than costume.
These reactions make more sense when you remember how revolutionary the 1970s in fashion really were—everything from fabric tech to gender-bending silhouettes left a mark we still feel now.
Quick Buy List to Start
- Levi’s 517 or 646 jeans
- One rust or mustard corduroy jacket
- A long-collar print shirt (brown or navy base)
- Gold rope chain (3–4 mm), not too chunky
- Ray-Ban aviators or any big teardrop shades
- Puma Suede or Adidas Samba sneakers
- Black heeled Chelsea boots for going out
- One wide tie or a big belt buckle for flair
How to Wear It Without Feeling Like a Costume
- Pair one loud piece with two calm ones. Big collar, plain pants, simple shoes.
- Keep colors warm and stick to 2–3 per outfit.
- Let the fit do the talking. High rise, clean line, little flare.
- If you’re shy, start with sunglasses and a belt buckle.
Would I Wear It Again?
Yes. Not on a 95-degree day, but yes. The 70s look made me stand taller. It also made people smile, which counts. I’ll keep the bootcuts in heavy rotation, and I’ll mix the leisure jacket with a white tee and sneakers.
And if I want to feel brave? I’ll bring back the satin shirt and the little scarf. Sometimes you need clothes that cheer for you before you even walk in. For another take on spending seven days in vintage swagger, this firsthand account dives into how it really feels to rock 70s male attire for a full week.