70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Revival: Fuzzy Coats Have Become the Party Season's Key Piece
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues strong.
Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.
With the holiday party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant comeback.
Retail Statistics Reflects the Popularity
Among the most popular items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading department store, searches for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy items is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur growing by 257% in the last six months on a major secondhand website.
"This is a one and done coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it serves as the central piece of an outfit.
She prefers to style her own colossal shaggy version with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Screen Fashion Mirrors the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a latest streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her bold look, the character replies, "You told us to dress up. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
The trend aligns with what an American trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
This style is very much about embodying the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Fabrics and Playful Opulence
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a beloved character has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising hues.
Star Endorsement and Exclusive Drops
An English creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by top pop stars.
Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and grey version akin to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring trousers, you want a standout piece," says a magazine head.
The feeling is shared by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, fun element" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Final Spirit Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," notes the expert, "and it will make you feel glamorous when the world around you is pretty dreary."
