70s Nightclub Style Makes a Revival: Shaggy Coats Are the Festive Season's Must-Have
While the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps favored by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.
Retail Statistics Reflects the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At another department store, searches for taupe faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
Interest for pre-owned fuzzy items is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"It's a one and done coat," says a lead fashion editor, explaining that it serves as the main element of an outfit.
She likes to style her own colossal shaggy coat with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Television Style Mirrors the Trend
This aesthetic is replicated in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is calling "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and opulence of the 1980s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek opulence—as if a beloved character has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising hues.
Star Endorsement and Exclusive Drops
An English creator was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by famous pop stars.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and grey style similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary pants, you want something dramatic," says a publication editor-in-chief.
The sentiment is echoed by a style head at a leading store, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
In the end, the fuzzy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty dreary."
