Catch The Fever Of A Disco Costume
posted in Costumes, Fashion, Movies, Music |In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, the disco craze swept the nation. Popularized by John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever”, it spread like a wild fire. The youth could not resist the lighted dance floors, many faceted mirrored disco balls, and the flashy outfits with massive lapels and ridiculously pointed collars. The disco craze became a national sport of sorts. Dances became duels to see who could out perform their opponent. Fans even used empty delivery vans and truck trailers for their dance fests. It’s contagious and once you have it, that’s it. You’re done for or so they say.
The disco costume is easily recognized. Some dead giveaways are greased hair, muttonchops, giant sideburns, polyester outfits, bell bottom suit pants, Afro’s, glitter eyeshadow, body glitter, and a ton of makeup. The dance clubs, studios, and trucks features see-through floors in which multi-colored lights flashed erratic, fast-paced strobe effects, quick enough to give a person a seizure. There were usually reflectors all over walls and ceilings to further add to the frenetic lighting, warming the already overheated dance palaces.
To replicate a good disco costume, get a copy of “Saturday Night Fever”, the classic disco movie of the time. Take a few notes and sketch out the look you want. Just remember, polyester is the quintessential fabric of the authentic disco costume.
If you’re an aspiring groovy guy, here are some guidelines. You need a suit with matching pants and jacket, in a solid color. Jackets require the giant, extra pointy lapels and are no longer than hip length. Oh yes, it’s imperative that the pants be wide bell bottoms. Shirts should contrast loudly with the suit color, with a greatly over sized collar which protrudes considerably over the jacket lapel. A vest under the jacket adds to the authentic disco costume look. Wow! Unless you’re an able seamstress, both suits and shirts must be ferreted out in retro shops, as you won’t find anything suitable at the mall. Greased hair, along with Afros were the best hair choices. If you’re not black, forget the Afro. Go for the grease. If your hair’s thin and not highly “greaseable”, purchase a wig in the Travolta style.
Now some tips for you hopeful foxy chickies. A tube top with lots of belly showing is the real thing. Tank tops will not do, a mortal sin of disco costume fashion. Hip hugger, bell bottom pants are de rigeur. Lots of large, colorful and admittedly gaudy jewelry, along with a lot of makeup is a must. Body glitter, anywhere and everywhere, brightly colored eyeshadow, thick fake eyelashes and shiny lip gloss are all necessary to your authentic disco costume. As for hair, chicks should choose either an Afro or a waist length pin straight wig. Oddly enough, women not of color look better in Afros than men, so take your pick. Before you walk out the door, both groovy guys and foxy chickies must complete their disco costume with platform shoes. Go get ‘em!
Tags: Costumes, Fashion, Movies, Music
