70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Festive Season's Key Piece
While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues strong.
This season, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the holiday party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major resurgence.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a latest collaboration between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading department store, searches for taupe fake fur coats have surged almost 200% compared to last year.
Interest for pre-owned fuzzy finds is also rising, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a popular secondhand website.
"This is a one and done coat," notes a senior style expert, adding that it serves as the main element of an outfit.
She prefers to style her personal oversized shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Look
This style is showcased in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister wears a caramel fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her bold outfit, the character responds, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is calling "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.
Similar to that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
This style is very much about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Fabrics and Playful Luxury
While real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current versions are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend represents a knowing luxury—like a beloved character has taken over with overblown proportions and unexpected colors.
Star Adoption and Limited Releases
A London creator was an early instigator of this movement. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by famous pop stars.
Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and grey version akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print options with exaggerated fuzzy trim.
"If you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
The feeling is shared by a style head at a leading retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, fun touch" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," notes the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty dreary."
