70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Are the Party Essential Must-Have
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues strong.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and club-goers alike.
With the festive social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major resurgence.
Shopping Data Shows the Trend
Among the hottest items from a latest collaboration between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized 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 increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"It's a one and done coat," says a senior fashion editor, adding that it acts as the main element of an outfit.
She likes to wear her own oversized shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Fashion Mirrors the Look
The style is replicated in a latest Netflix romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "You told us to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what an American style analyst is calling "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is set against a volatile economy.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Materials and Playful Luxury
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are mostly made from lambskin—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like acrylic.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a beloved character has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising hues.
Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly textures have been sported by top pop stars.
Due to strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and grey version akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and tiger-print options with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"If you can only buy one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
The sentiment is shared by a fashion director at a leading store, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.
The Ultimate Mood Booster
Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can serve as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," notes the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when the world around you is rather dreary."
