70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Party Season's Key Piece
While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues powerful.
Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and club-goers alike.
With the festive party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.
Shopping Data Reflects the Trend
Among the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped 190% compared to last year.
The demand for pre-owned plush finds is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a major secondhand website.
"It's a statement coat," says a lead fashion editor, explaining that it serves as the main piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her personal colossal furry coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Style Mirrors the Trend
The aesthetic is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a uncertain financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current versions are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic materials like acrylic.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a beloved character has taken charge with overblown proportions and surprising colors.
Celebrity Endorsement and Exclusive Releases
A London designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly proportions have been sported by top singers.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and zebra-print options with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine head.
The sentiment is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who calls it "a surprising, fun element" that doesn't require a whole new outfit.
Final Spirit Booster
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is rather gloomy."
