What to wear to a disco or 80s party: 5 outfits, not costumes
The email lands on a Thursday afternoon: the company Christmas party has a theme this year, and the theme is DISCO. If you are new to an Estonian office, here is what happens next. Half the team starts hunting for an afro wig and neon leg warmers. The other half quietly panics, because they would like to look good at the party, not wear something that crackles and goes in the bin on Sunday.
Here is the good part: disco is one of the few themes where “on theme” and “properly dressed” are the same outfit. Sequins, metallics, flared trousers and a strong shoulder are in fashion with or without a theme. Below are five outfits that work for a 70s disco night and an 80s party alike – and nobody will ask what you came as.
Disco and the 80s are two different parties
Invitations in Estonia often merge them – “disko” can mean anything from Boney M to early Madonna, and 80s nostalgia runs deep here. For your outfit the difference matters. Late-70s disco is long, fluid and shimmering. The 80s are shorter, boxier and louder in colour. Find out which one the organiser means, or pick a piece that passes for both.
70s disco | The 80s | |
Silhouette | long and fluid: maxi dress, flares, high waist | wide on top, narrow below: shoulders, puff sleeves, mini length |
Colours | gold, silver, bronze, deep wine | neon, electric blue, fuchsia, black with silver |
Surface | sequins, mirror discs, glossy satin | sequins, patent, satin, metallic |
Hair and make-up | big waves, glossy eyelids | high ponytail or volume, bold blush |
The one piece that does it | a disc-sequin dress | a big-sleeved mini dress or a bright jacket |
One rule: one era detail at a time
An outfit turns into a costume when everything arrives together: wig, glasses, platforms, neon and sequins. The modern version works the other way round. Choose one piece that carries the theme – the dress, the trousers or the jacket – and keep the rest as you would for any other night out: your own hair, simple shoes, a small bag.
The second half of the rule is fabric. Thin shiny polyester looks exactly as cheap in photos as it does in real life. Heavier sequins, a proper cut and a waist that sits where it should turn the same theme into something else entirely. That is also the argument for renting: you wear the good version once instead of buying the bad one.
Five outfits for a disco or 80s party
1. The disc-sequin mini dress
The shortest route to the mirror ball. Large discs and mirror tiles catch light differently from fine sequins – every move reads from across the room. The Merlot Disco cocktail dress does it in a deep wine shade that also suits a Christmas party. The Under The Disco mirror dress is covered in square mirror tiles, and the Gold Fringe cocktail dress in hanging sequins that swing like fringe.
Wear with: nude or black shoes and no sparkly jewellery at all. The dress is the jewellery.
Merlot Disco cocktail dress 
Under The Disco mirror dress 
Gold Fringe cocktail dress
Pictured (from left): Merlot Disco cocktail dress, Under The Disco mirror dress, Gold Fringe cocktail dress
2. The long mirror dress
If a mini is not your thing, or the evening starts with a seated dinner, go long. This is what the 70s disco diva actually wore: floor-length, close to the body, shimmering head to toe. The Disco Sunlight dress is gold with large mirrored discs along the hem. The Disco Moonlight dress is the same idea in silver. The Silver Paillette midi dress stops at midi length, and its puff sleeves already nod to the 80s.
A long sequin dress is also the safest choice when the invitation has both a theme and the word “pidulik” (festive, dressed-up). We decoded the usual codes in our dress code guide.
Disco Sunlight dress 
Disco Moonlight dress 
Silver Paillette midi dress
Pictured (from left): Disco Sunlight dress, Disco Moonlight dress, Silver Paillette midi dress
3. Flares and a sequin set
Not every disco outfit is a dress. High-waisted flares are the most recognisable cut of the 70s and the most comfortable thing on a dance floor. The Bronze Sparkle set is a bronze sequin crop top and flared trousers in one fabric. The Aqua Shimmer set has an iridescent finish that shifts colour as you move. The Shine All Night set is black with a straighter leg, for anyone who prefers to hint at the theme.
The advantage of a set: the pieces work separately too, which gives you options if the top feels like enough with your own black trousers.
Bronze Sparkle set 
Aqua Shimmer set 
Shine All Night set
Pictured (from left): Bronze Sparkle set, Aqua Shimmer set, Shine All Night set
4. The 80s: shoulders, sleeves and colour
At an 80s party, silhouette counts for more than shine. Wide on top, narrow at the waist, short below. The Silver Balloon cocktail dress does it with full balloon sleeves. The Electric Lime set pairs a structured-shoulder blazer with a mini skirt in lime green – a colour the decade was never afraid of. And if you want to wear your own black dress or trousers, one jacket is enough: the Cobalt Patent jacket is glossy, blue and handles the theme alone.
Hair up in a high ponytail, big earrings, done. Leave the leg warmers and sweatband for the gym.
Silver Balloon cocktail dress 
Electric Lime set 
Cobalt Patent jacket
Pictured (from left): Silver Balloon cocktail dress, Electric Lime set, Cobalt Patent jacket
5. For him, and for couples
Men have two routes. The playful one: the Retro Rush costume is a glossy satin tracksuit in bright colour blocks, straight from the turn of the 80s and 90s. The elegant one: a black suit that sparkles under lights. The Starlit Velvet suit is scattered with fine crystals; the Starfall blazer works with black trousers he already owns.
As a couple you do not need to match. A shared metal is enough: her in a gold dress, him in a black jacket that glitters. More ideas for two are in couples costume ideas for Halloween and theme parties.
Retro Rush costume 
Starlit Velvet suit 
Starfall blazer
Pictured (from left): Retro Rush costume, Starlit Velvet suit, Starfall blazer
Accessories: three things, not thirteen
Shoes. Silver boots turn a plain black mini into a disco dress – the Futuristic Muse boots, for example. If you plan to dance all night, choose a block heel.
Bag. Small and reflective. The Silver Egg clutch has a mirror finish and hangs on a chain, so your hands stay free.
Glasses. Large tinted lenses are the easiest 70s reference and a good prop at the photo wall. The Jet Set sunglasses have a burgundy frame and pink lenses.
Jewellery. Big hoops or nothing. Skip the necklace if the dress has sequins.
All of these, and the rest of the collection, are in the online shop.
Checklist before a disco party in Estonia
Ask the organiser which decade. “Disko” can mean 1977 or 1987. If nobody answers, choose sequins – they belong to both.
Try it on dancing. Arms up, sit down, crouch. Disc sequins and narrow sleeves have to survive movement.
Plan the journey. In December it is dark by four and the pavement from taxi to door is icy. Long coat on top, boots on your feet, party shoes in a bag – venues have a cloakroom and changing shoes there is normal.
Agree colours with friends. Three silver dresses in one photo is a look. Three identical dresses is an accident.
Book early. November and December Saturdays go first. The rental period is up to 3 days and we take care of the cleaning – details in the FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
Can I try a sequin dress or set on before renting?
Yes. You can try pieces on at our showroom in Tallinn (Krulli 2b, room 412). Visits are by appointment – message us on Instagram or by email.
How long can I keep the outfit?
The standard rental period is up to 3 days. The price on each product page is for a 3-day rental period.
Do I need to clean a sequin dress before returning it?
No. We take care of the cleaning – return the pieces as they are after the party.
What if the party is cancelled?
You can cancel a booking up to 72 hours before the rental period starts. The full terms are on our rental terms page.
I do not live in Tallinn. How do I get the outfit?
Delivery options and conditions are listed on our delivery page. If you are unsure about size, write to us before booking.
The full terms: rental terms and delivery.
A disco party is the one night of the year when there is no such thing as too many sequins – as long as you wear them like they are yours. Come and try a few options at the showroom and see which one has you dancing in front of the mirror.
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