70s Nightclub Style Makes a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Are the Party Essential Key Piece
While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend
Among the most popular items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At another department store, searches for brown faux fur coats have surged almost 200% compared to last year.
Interest for pre-owned plush items is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"This is a statement coat," notes a senior fashion editor, explaining that it acts as the central piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her personal colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Fashion Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is replicated in a new Netflix romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the character responds, "It's what you said to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
This look aligns with what a U.S. trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."
Rooted in the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain economy.
Boom boom is all about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like acrylic.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a beloved character has taken charge with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising colors.
Star Endorsement and Limited Drops
A London designer was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top singers.
Because of high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal version similar to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print options with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine head.
The sentiment is echoed by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who calls it "a surprising, fun element" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Final Spirit Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a fortune," notes the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when the world around you is rather gloomy."