70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Are the Festive Season's Key Piece
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains powerful.
This season, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the holiday party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.
Retail Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for brown faux fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
Interest for secondhand plush items is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a major secondhand platform.
"This is a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, explaining that it serves as the main element of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her own oversized furry coat with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Look
This aesthetic is replicated in a latest streaming romantic comedy series, where a character wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the character responds, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
The trend fits into what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the glamour and opulence of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.
This style is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Materials and Playful Luxury
Whereas real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are primarily made from lambskin—a secondary product of the meat industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken charge with exaggerated proportions and unexpected colors.
Star Endorsement and Limited Drops
A London designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been worn by top singers.
Due to strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming release includes a rose and charcoal style akin to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and zebra-print versions with dramatic fuzzy trim.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," explains a publication editor-in-chief.
This feeling is echoed by a fashion director at a major store, who calls it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
The Ultimate Spirit Booster
In the end, the fuzzy coat can act as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It won't cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when the world around you is pretty dreary."
