70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Revival: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Party Essential Must-Have
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues strong.
Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by style icons and party enthusiasts alike.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.
Shopping Data Shows the Trend
One of the hottest items from a recent partnership between a major retailer and a designer brand is a short, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading department store, online queries for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy finds is also rising, with queries for faux fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale platform.
"This is a one and done coat," notes a lead style expert, adding that it acts as the main element of an ensemble.
The editor likes to style her own colossal furry coat with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Style Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is replicated in a new Netflix romcom series, where a sister wears a caramel fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her bold outfit, the character replies, "You told us to dress up. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what an American trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and opulence of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Similar to that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
While animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, current iterations are primarily made from shearling—a secondary product of the food industry—or synthetic materials like acrylic.
The trend represents a knowing opulence—as if a beloved character has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising colors.
Celebrity Endorsement and Exclusive Drops
An English designer was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top pop stars.
Because of high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal version akin to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a publication editor-in-chief.
This sentiment is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful touch" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."
