Oh boy, do I have some memories to share about prom nights in the 1970s! If you thought today’s proms were wild, you should’ve seen what we considered fashionable back then. From platform shoes that could’ve qualified as lethal weapons to hairstyles that required an entire can of hairspray to maintain, the ’70s were truly the golden age of outrageous prom fashion. Let’s take a groovy trip down memory lane and revisit some trends that would make today’s teens cringe.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Powder Blue Ruffled Tuxedos
- 2 2. Rainbow Platform Shoes
- 3 3. Matching His & Hers Leisure Suits
- 4 4. The Farrah Fawcett Flip
- 5 5. Corsages the Size of Cabbages
- 6 6. Bell-Bottom Formal Wear
- 7 7. Pastel Polyester Everywhere
- 8 8. Mood Rings as Prom Jewelry
- 9 9. The Afro Prom Look
- 10 10. Prom Photos with Disco Balls
- 11 11. Ribbon Chokers
- 12 12. The “Natural” Makeup Look
1. Powder Blue Ruffled Tuxedos
Nothing says ’70s prom quite like a powder blue tuxedo with more ruffles than a bag of potato chips. These fashion statements came complete with massive bow ties and matching cummerbunds. The more ruffles on the shirt front, the better – some of us looked like we were wearing wedding cakes!
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2. Rainbow Platform Shoes
These towering monuments to disco fashion added a good 4-5 inches to your height and came in every color imaginable. Dancing in these was an extreme sport, and more than a few prom nights ended with twisted ankles. But hey, we looked fabulous toppling over!
3. Matching His & Hers Leisure Suits
Some couples took coordination to the extreme with matching polyester leisure suits. Usually in eye-searing colors like burnt orange or avocado green, these suits were often adorned with contrast stitching and massive lapels. Looking back at photos, we looked like synchronized polyester people!
4. The Farrah Fawcett Flip
Every girl wanted Farrah’s iconic feathered look for prom. This meant hours of blow-drying, curling, and enough hairspray to deplete the ozone layer. The real challenge was maintaining those perfect wings while dancing to “Stayin’ Alive” all night long.
5. Corsages the Size of Cabbages
These wrist bouquets were enormous, often featuring multiple carnations, yards of ribbon, and even little plastic figurines. They were so big they could double as emergency flotation devices. Some even had built-in music boxes – because why not add a soundtrack to your flower arrangement?
6. Bell-Bottom Formal Wear
Bell-bottoms so wide you could hide your date inside them were all the rage. These weren’t just flared – they were full-on trumpet-shaped pant legs that could sweep the dance floor clean. Bonus points if they matched your date’s equally wide bell-bottoms!
7. Pastel Polyester Everywhere
Polyester was king, and pastels were its kingdom. These synthetic wonders didn’t breathe at all, turning prom night into a sweat fest. But hey, at least the wrinkles fell right out, and you could probably still wear these dresses today – polyester is practically immortal!
8. Mood Rings as Prom Jewelry
These magical rings supposedly revealed your emotional state through changing colors. Every prom photo featured at least one person showing off their mood ring, usually claiming it was showing “passion” or “romance” when it was probably just reacting to sweaty palms.
9. The Afro Prom Look
The bigger the better was the rule for ’70s afros at prom. Perfectly rounded and picked out to maximum volume, these spectacular hairstyles often required ducking to get through doorways. Some creative souls even tucked flowers or decorative picks into their ‘fros for extra prom flair.
10. Prom Photos with Disco Balls
Every prom had to have that one photo spot with a spinning disco ball backdrop. These photos always came out looking like we were floating in a galaxy of sparkles – though sometimes the flash reflection from the ball created interesting light sabers across our faces!
11. Ribbon Chokers
Velvet or satin ribbon chokers were a must-have accessory, often featuring a cameo or flower attached. These delicate neck adornments perfectly complemented the high-necked prairie style dresses that were so popular. Some even had streamers flowing down the back – because you can never have too many flowing elements in a ’70s outfit!
12. The “Natural” Makeup Look
The ’70s “natural” look was anything but natural – featuring frosted blue eyeshadow up to the brows, pale frosted lipstick, and enough mascara to make your eyelashes resemble spider legs. This was topped off with a generous dusting of shimmery powder that made everyone look like they’d been dipped in disco dust.
