Decades
70s Costume Ideas for Kids
Bell bottoms, disco ball necklaces, and afro wigs — Disco Day is the flashiest decade theme, and accessories carry the look more than any single clothing item.
Top Picks for 70s
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Here's the honest truth about 70s / Disco Day: it's the hardest decade theme to shop for in kids' sizes. Unlike the 80s (where neon accessories do everything) or the 50s (where poodle skirts are everywhere), 70s disco clothing for children is genuinely limited on Amazon and in stores. Kids' bell-bottom pants exist but the selection is thin, and full disco jumpsuits are rare outside of Halloween season.
But here's the good news: accessories carry the 70s look harder than any clothing item. A disco ball necklace, a metallic headband, some oversized sunglasses, and a sparkly anything — that's disco. Layer those on top of the closest thing to bell bottoms your kid owns (flared leggings, bootcut jeans, or just wide-leg pants) and the costume reads perfectly.
Disco is also the decade where going over the top is the whole point. More sparkle, more shine, more ridiculous — that's the era. So if the outfit feels like it's too much, it's probably just right. There's no such thing as a subtle disco costume, and kids love that permission to be loud.
What to Wear
Start from the bottom up. The ideal is bell-bottom or flared pants, but any wide-leg or bootcut pants work. Even regular jeans are fine as a base — the top and accessories will do the heavy lifting. For girls, flared leggings or palazzo pants in a bold color are the closest easy-to-find option.
For tops, anything shiny, sparkly, or metallic. A sequin top, a metallic fabric shirt, or even a regular t-shirt with a sparkly vest over it. Craft stores sell iron-on metallic patches if you want to bling up a plain shirt the night before. A collared shirt with an exaggerated collar (either found or DIY'd) is the most authentically 70s option.
The accessories are where disco comes alive. A disco ball necklace is the single most effective costume piece — tiny disco ball pendants are $3-5 and instantly communicate the theme. Big sunglasses with tinted lenses (orange, yellow, or rose-colored) are very 70s. A metallic headband or wide-brim floppy hat adds flair.
Afro wigs are a popular disco accessory, but stick to rainbow, metallic, or clearly costume-colored versions (silver, gold) rather than natural hair colors. The point is disco spectacle, not imitating anyone's natural hairstyle.
Platform shoes are iconic 70s footwear but completely impractical for school. Skip them. Any shoes work.
Budget Breakdown
Under $10
A disco ball necklace ($3-5) and a pair of big tinted sunglasses ($3-5) over clothes your kid already owns. Bonus: add some aluminum foil cuffs (free DIY) and they're a disco star. This is the budget approach and it absolutely works.
Under $25
A disco accessory kit with necklace, sunglasses, headband, and sometimes a microphone or disco ball prop ($10-15). Add sparkly leggings or a metallic top ($10-12) and you have a full disco outfit. Or grab an afro wig in a fun color ($8-12) which gets big reactions at school.
Under $50
Full 70s disco costume set with bell bottoms, sparkly top, and accessories. These are less common in kids' sizes than other decade costumes, so if you find one that fits, grab it. Alternatively, a really good metallic jumpsuit or sequin outfit plus a wig and accessories makes a showstopper costume.
DIY & Last-Minute Ideas
The best DIY disco prop is a mini disco ball made from a foam ball (or crumpled aluminum foil ball) covered in small squares of aluminum foil or mirror tile stickers from the craft store. Hot glue the pieces on, attach a string, and your kid has a prop that gets compliments all day.
Make bell bottoms from straight-leg pants by cutting the outer seam from the knee down and sewing in a triangle of contrasting fabric. No sewing machine? Use fabric glue or iron-on hem tape. The result doesn't need to be perfect — in fact, a little DIY roughness looks more authentically vintage.
Bling up any plain shirt with iron-on rhinestones, metallic fabric paint, or strips of foil tape from the hardware store. A collar can be exaggerated by cutting one from cardboard, wrapping it in foil or fabric, and pinning it over a regular shirt collar.
The zero-cost disco outfit: a shiny or sparkly shirt from the closet (everyone owns something with a little shimmer), jeans, and a disco ball pendant made from a small wad of aluminum foil wrapped tightly and tied on a string. Add some sunglasses and call it done.
Pro Tips for Parents
- 1Disco is the decade where accessories outperform clothing. Don't waste money hunting for perfect bell bottoms — invest in sparkly accessories instead.
- 2If your school calls it "Decades Day" and assigns 70s to your kid's grade, focus on disco rather than the more muted 70s earth-tone aesthetic. Disco reads faster and is more fun for kids.
- 3Afro wigs should be clearly costume-colored (rainbow, metallic, neon) rather than natural hair colors. This keeps the costume fun and avoids any issues.
- 4Aluminum foil is the cheapest disco material on earth. Foil bracelets, foil disco balls, foil collar accents — use it everywhere.
- 570s Day products peak in availability during October (Halloween season). If spirit week is in spring, shop early or lean harder on DIY and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do I find kids' bell bottoms?
- They're tricky to find. Search for "kids flared pants" or "girls bootcut leggings" on Amazon rather than "bell bottoms" — the results are better. Alternatively, any wide-leg or palazzo pants in a bold color work. Thrift stores sometimes have gems.
- Is Disco Day the same as 70s Day?
- Usually. Most schools that pick the 70s for Decades Day expect disco because it's the most recognizable 70s style. Technically the 70s also included earth tones, denim, and boho — but disco is what kids (and teachers) want to see.
- What if my kid thinks disco is lame?
- Show them a disco ball. Problem solved. Seriously though, the sparkle and spectacle of disco is usually a hit once kids see the accessories. The big sunglasses alone tend to win over reluctant participants.
- Can my kid wear regular clothes with disco accessories?
- Absolutely. That's actually the recommended approach for this theme. A disco ball necklace and tinted sunglasses over a regular outfit is perfectly valid Disco Day participation.
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