70s Nightclub Style Makes a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Party Season's Key Piece
While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique style impact remains powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the holiday social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major comeback.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, online queries for brown faux fur coats have surged 190% year on year.
Interest for pre-owned plush finds is also rising, with searches for faux fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular secondhand website.
"This is a statement coat," says a lead fashion editor, explaining that it serves as the central element of an ensemble.
She likes to wear her own oversized shaggy version with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Fashion Mirrors the Trend
The aesthetic is replicated in a latest streaming romcom series, where a sister sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister responds, "You told us to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Rooted in the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, champagne, cigarettes, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
This style is very much about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are mostly made from lambskin—a secondary product of the meat industry—or synthetic fabrics like acrylic.
The trend represents a knowing luxury—as if a beloved character has taken charge with exaggerated proportions and surprising hues.
Star Adoption and Limited Releases
A London designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly textures have been worn by top pop stars.
Due to strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming release includes a pink and grey version similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and tiger-print options with exaggerated fuzzy trim.
"When you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine head.
The sentiment is shared by a fashion director at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.
Final Spirit Lifter
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when the world around you is pretty gloomy."
