70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Fuzzy Jackets Are the Party Essential Must-Have
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains strong.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.
With the holiday social calendar coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Retail Data Reflects the Trend
One of the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a major retailer and a London label is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At another department store, searches for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
The demand for secondhand plush finds is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur growing by 257% in the last six months on a major secondhand website.
"It's a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, explaining that it acts as the central element of an ensemble.
The editor prefers to style her own oversized shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a new streaming romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "You told us to dress up. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
This look fits into what an American style analyst is calling "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and opulence of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.
This style is very much about embodying the life you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a secondary product of the meat industry—or synthetic fabrics like acrylic.
The trend embodies a knowing luxury—as if a beloved character has taken over with overblown proportions and unexpected colors.
Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Drops
A London designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top singers.
Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and charcoal style similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and tiger-print options with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," says a publication editor-in-chief.
The feeling is echoed by a fashion director at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glam when the world around you is pretty gloomy."
