The Best '70s New Year's Eve Outfits

last updated 2 July 2020

The holiday season will be here before you know it, so why not take a stroll down memory lane and see how Hollywood partied in the '70s? (Hint: The decade's biggest celebrities went all out.) We set out to find the best old photos from New Year's Eve bashes, and we truly struck gold.

We're talking Diana Ross at a New York bash in 1978, Meryl Streep partying it up wearing a blazer over a slip dress in 1979, and Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg celebrating in Paris in 1977. (Naturally, Birkin is holding an on-trend wicker bag, and we wouldn't mind borrowing the exact same one.) Oh, and there's also an epic photo of a seriously stylish and iconic trio: Bianca Jagger, Andy Warhol, and Liza Minelli. What more could you ask for? What we would have done to be invited to these parties. (The only question that lingers: What would we have worn?)

If you're feeling inspired by the decade, we rounded up the perfect pieces to add to your closet. Frame, for one, has created arguably the best pair of flared jeans around, and Quay designed some cool John Lennon–esque shades that ring in at under $75. Easy-breezy blouses and cool striped tees complete our roundup of '70s-inspired items that don't look out of place in 2018. Scroll down to see the best vintage photos from New Year's Eve in the '70s, and shop our picks to get the look.

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585639-1449473816 — Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg in 1977

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585654-1449474643 — Halston, Bianca Jagger, Liza Minelli, and Andy Warhol in 1978

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585646-1449474188 — Diana Ross at Studio 54 in 1978

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585642-1449473819 — Bianca Jagger in 1979

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585643-1449473825 — Meryl Streep in 1979

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585644-1449474109 — Jerry Hall in 1979

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1585667-1449474935 — Laura Antonelli and Jean-Paul Belmondo in 1976

this-is-what-new-years-eve-looked-like-in-the-70s-1590411-1449714099 — Linda Ronstadt in 1973

Get the '70s Look

Zimmermann

Jaya Tie-Front Printed Linen Top

Frame

Le High Flare High-Rise Jeans

Chloé

Faye Medium Leather and Suede Shoulder Bag

Quay

Mod Star Sunglasses

Frame

'70s Fitted Tee

Khaite

Reece Flare Jeans

Chloé

Carlina Round-Frame Gold-Tone Sunglasses

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Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 13 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.