The 1970s were loud—sonically, culturally, and sartorially. It wasn’t enough for musicians to sound different; they had to look different too. The stage became a runway, and each performance was a spectacle of sequins, satin, feathers, and flair. Whether they were pushing boundaries or just having fun with fashion, these artists made sure their outfits sang just as boldly as their lyrics. Here are 12 unforgettable moments when ’70s musicians made fashion part of the main act.
1. Elton John’s Feathered Fantasy at Dodger Stadium (1975)
When Elton John took the stage at Dodger Stadium in a glittering, sequined Dodgers uniform complete with a matching cap and giant sunglasses, he wasn’t just playing a concert—he was making fashion history. The outfit sparkled under the lights, just like his flamboyant stage presence. He looked like a baseball player from another planet. This isn’t the only way John has left his mark on fashion, and Billboard has broken down his many styles in a timeline that covers decades.
This wasn’t a one-off either—Elton turned outrageous fashion into an art form throughout the ‘70s. From feathered jumpsuits to towering platform shoes, he wore whatever would turn heads—and it always did. His style was just as iconic as his piano.
2. David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust Look (1972)
David Bowie didn’t just create a character—he built an entire fashion universe around Ziggy Stardust. With fiery red hair, metallic bodysuits, dramatic makeup, and alien-inspired accessories, Ziggy looked like he’d landed straight from Mars. Every detail of his look told a story. Entertainment Weekly notes that Bowie’s influence on fashion is comparable to his musical impact.
Bowie’s fearless style blurred the lines between gender, art, and music. He didn’t just perform—he transformed. His Ziggy era remains one of the boldest fashion statements in rock history.
3. Freddie Mercury’s Harlequin Bodysuit (1977)
Queen’s frontman could command a stage with his voice alone, but Freddie Mercury made sure his wardrobe turned heads too. One of his most iconic looks was a black-and-white harlequin bodysuit—skin-tight, patterned, and totally theatrical. It showed off his physicality and flair for drama in one unforgettable ensemble. As expressed in Vogue Australia, Mercury’s style and unique vocal range were an inseparable team for allowing him to leave his mark.
Freddie’s fashion was always ahead of its time, fusing glam rock, cabaret, and opera into one shimmering package. No matter what he wore, he always wore it well. He turned every concert into a performance piece.
4. Donna Summer’s Disco Goddess Gowns
Donna Summer wasn’t just the queen of disco—she dressed like royalty too. Her flowing gowns, shimmering fabrics, and dramatic sleeves turned Studio 54 into a runway. Whether she was performing Last Dance or Hot Stuff, she looked like she stepped out of a dream.
Her style was equal parts elegance and sparkle, reflecting the glitz of the disco era. With every outfit, she embodied the glamour and heat of the dance floor. She didn’t just set trends—she defined them.
5. George Clinton’s Rainbow Dreads and Funkadelic Gear
George Clinton didn’t believe in keeping things subtle. Leading Parliament-Funkadelic, he appeared in fur capes, space suits, and psychedelic prints that made his concerts feel like intergalactic costume parties. His rainbow-colored dreadlocks were a crown of funk royalty.
Clinton’s fashion wasn’t about looking pretty—it was about blowing your mind. Every outfit challenged the norms and made funk feel like a movement. He dressed like someone who truly believed the mothership was coming—and he was ready to pilot it.
6. Stevie Nicks’ Bohemian Witchy Style
Stevie Nicks didn’t need sequins to stand out—she cast a spell with shawls, flowing dresses, and velvet layers. Her ethereal look became her trademark, blending rock with a mystical edge. It wasn’t flashy—it was enchanting.
With her top hats, scarves, and lace, she created a silhouette that fans tried to copy for decades. Stevie didn’t shout with her fashion—she whispered, and everyone listened. She made boho look like high fashion.
7. Parliament’s Diaper-Clad Garry Shider (a.k.a. “Starchild”)
When Garry Shider took the stage in nothing but a diaper, boots, and a cape, he didn’t care what anyone thought—and that was the point. The look was wild, weird, and wonderfully unbothered. It turned Parliament shows into something between a rock concert and a surrealist dream.
The band’s costumes were about liberation—of sound, self, and style. Shider’s diaper wasn’t just a joke—it was a statement. Funk had no rules, and he dressed like it.
8. Patti Smith’s Androgynous Blazer and Tie Look
Patti Smith didn’t need glitter to break the mold. With a white button-down, black tie, and simple blazer, she made rock fashion radical again. Her style was stripped-down, punk-influenced, and quietly rebellious.
She looked like she walked off a French New Wave film set and onto the Horses album cover. Her gender-defying look inspired a generation of artists to dress how they felt, not how they were expected to. Smith proved that power can come from simplicity.
9. Peter Gabriel’s Flower-Headdress in Genesis
Before going solo, Peter Gabriel turned Genesis concerts into surreal theatrical performances. One of his strangest—and most memorable—looks featured a giant flower headdress, worn during the song Supper’s Ready. It was bizarre, haunting, and completely unforgettable.
He often wore animal masks, robes, and full-body paint to bring songs to life on stage. Gabriel’s fashion wasn’t just for style—it was storytelling. He made progressive rock visual, and fans couldn’t look away.
10. Diana Ross’ Sequined Showstoppers
Diana Ross knew how to shine, and her wardrobe made sure of it. From shimmering gowns to feathered headpieces, she brought high glamour to every performance. Whether with The Supremes or solo, she never appeared underdressed.
Her looks weren’t just elegant—they were electric. With every twirl and spotlight, Ross reminded audiences that fashion was part of the performance. She didn’t just walk on stage—she arrived.
11. The Bee Gees’ Disco Suits
The Bee Gees owned the disco floor, and they dressed like it. Their tight white suits, open shirts, and gold chains became the look of the era thanks to Saturday Night Fever. They were flashy, yes—but they also looked sharp and effortless.
Their matching looks gave them a polished, almost futuristic image. They made disco fashion feel both accessible and aspirational. With each high note, they glittered just as much as the mirror ball above.
12. Grace Slick’s Psychedelic Prints with Jefferson Airplane
Grace Slick didn’t hold back—either in voice or in wardrobe. Her dresses often featured loud, swirling prints that matched the mood of the late ‘60s spilling into the ‘70s. She looked like she belonged at a protest and a fashion show all at once.
Her wild hair, bold eyeliner, and powerful presence made her an icon of rock rebellion. Grace dressed like someone ready to push the boundaries—and then burn the map. She wasn’t just singing about revolution—she wore it.
In the ’70s, music wasn’t just something you heard—it was something you saw. These artists made fashion a part of the message, showing that style could amplify a voice, spark a movement, or simply make your jaw drop. Their looks were loud, fearless, and unforgettable—just like the music.
