70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Revival: Fuzzy Jackets Are the Festive Essential Must-Have
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the holiday social calendar approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant comeback.
Shopping Statistics Reflects the Trend
Among the hottest items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading retailer, searches for brown fake fur coats have surged 190% year on year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy items is also rising, with searches for synthetic fur growing by 257% in the past six months on a major resale website.
"It's a one and done coat," says a senior fashion editor, explaining that it acts as the central element of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her own colossal furry version with hipster jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Look
The aesthetic is showcased in a new streaming romantic comedy series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her daring look, the sister responds, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what an American trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Like that time, the trend is set against a volatile economy.
Boom boom is all about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current versions are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek opulence—as if a beloved character has taken over with overblown proportions and unexpected colors.
Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English creator was an early instigator of this movement. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by famous singers.
Due to high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and charcoal style akin to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," says a publication head.
The feeling is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that avoids the need for a complete outfit.
The Ultimate Spirit Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty gloomy."