70s Nightclub Style Makes a Comeback: Fuzzy Jackets Have Become the Festive Essential Key Piece
While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues powerful.
Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and club-goers alike.
With the festive social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, cream, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At another retailer, searches for taupe fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy items is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale website.
"This is a one and done coat," says a senior fashion editor, adding that it serves as the main element of an outfit.
She prefers to style her personal oversized furry coat with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend
This style is showcased in a new Netflix romantic comedy series, where a character wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the character responds, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
This look fits into what a U.S. style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a volatile economy.
This style is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
While real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current versions are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek opulence—like a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown proportions and unexpected colors.
Star Endorsement and Exclusive Releases
A London designer was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been worn by top pop stars.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and charcoal style similar to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine head.
The sentiment is shared by a style head at a leading retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, playful element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when the world around you is rather dreary."