70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Festive Essential Must-Have
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the festive social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major comeback.
Shopping Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a short, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At another department store, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned plush finds is also rising, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a major resale platform.
"It's a statement coat," notes a lead style expert, adding that it serves as the main piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her own oversized furry coat with hipster jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Look
The aesthetic is showcased in a latest Netflix romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the character responds, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
This look aligns with what an American style analyst is calling "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wealth, champagne, smoking, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Similar to that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
This style is all about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
While real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made fabrics like acrylic.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek opulence—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated proportions and unexpected colors.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Releases
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 interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An upcoming launch includes a pink and grey version akin to a giant pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
This feeling is shared by a style head at a leading retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, fun element" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.
Final Mood Booster
In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty dreary."