70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Festive Essential Key Piece
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues powerful.
Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.
With the holiday social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.
Retail Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy items is also rising, with searches for faux fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a popular secondhand website.
"It's a statement coat," says a lead fashion editor, adding that it acts as the central element of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her personal colossal furry coat with hipster jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Trend
The style is showcased in a new streaming romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the sister responds, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what an American trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
This style is all about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Fabrics and Playful Luxury
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's iterations are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend represents a knowing opulence—as if a beloved character has taken charge with overblown silhouettes and surprising colors.
Star Endorsement and Limited Releases
A London creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by famous singers.
Due to strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An upcoming launch includes a rose and grey version akin to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"If you can only purchase a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," says a publication head.
This sentiment is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, playful element" that avoids the need for a whole new ensemble.
The Ultimate Spirit Lifter
In the end, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," says the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is rather gloomy."
