70s Nightclub Style Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Party Season's Must-Have
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique style impact continues strong.
Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and wraps worn by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the holiday party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, cream, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading department store, searches for taupe fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned plush items is also rising, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a popular resale platform.
"This is a one and done coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it serves as the central element of an outfit.
She likes to style her own colossal shaggy version with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Trend
The style is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the character replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
This look aligns with what an American trend forecaster is calling "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and opulence of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fur.
Like that era, the trend is set against a uncertain financial climate.
Boom boom is all about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Fabrics and Playful Opulence
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are primarily made from lambskin—a secondary product of the food industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing opulence—like a beloved character has taken over with overblown proportions and surprising colors.
Star Endorsement and Limited Releases
An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top pop stars.
Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and grey style similar to a giant pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
This sentiment is shared by a fashion director at a leading store, who calls it "a surprising, fun element" that avoids the need for a complete outfit.
Final Mood Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It won't cost a fortune," notes the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."
