70s Nightclub Style Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Party Season's Must-Have
While the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.
With the holiday social calendar approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major comeback.
Shopping Statistics Reflects the Popularity
Among the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a major retailer and a designer brand is a short, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, searches for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy items is also soaring, with queries for faux fur growing by 257% in the past six months on a popular resale website.
"It's a one and done coat," notes a lead style expert, explaining that it acts as the main piece of an ensemble.
She prefers to style her own colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend
This aesthetic is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a character wears a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her bold look, the sister responds, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
This look aligns with what an American style analyst is calling "boom boom."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wads of cash, champagne, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Similar to that era, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Fabrics and Playful Opulence
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken charge with overblown proportions and surprising hues.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly proportions have been sported by famous singers.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming launch includes a pink and grey style akin to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fluffy trim.
"If you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," says a publication editor-in-chief.
This feeling is echoed by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
Final Mood Lifter
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 glam when everything else is rather gloomy."