70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Revival: Fuzzy Coats Are the Festive Essential Key Piece
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues strong.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and club-goers alike.
With the holiday party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
The demand for secondhand plush finds is also soaring, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"This is a one and done coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it acts as the central piece of an ensemble.
The editor likes to wear her personal colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Look
This aesthetic is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her bold look, the sister replies, "You told us to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
This look aligns with what an American trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."
Inspired by the glamour and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about embodying the life you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
While animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend represents a knowing luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated proportions and unexpected hues.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Drops
A London designer was an early instigator of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by famous singers.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An upcoming launch includes a rose and grey style similar to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and tiger-print options with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"When 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 a standout piece," explains a magazine head.
The feeling is shared by a fashion director at a major retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, playful touch" that doesn't require a whole new outfit.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is pretty dreary."