70s Nightclub Style Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Are the Festive Essential Key Piece
Although the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues powerful.
This season, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by style icons and party enthusiasts alike.
With the festive social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Retail Data Reflects the Popularity
Among the most popular items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, online queries for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
Interest for pre-owned fuzzy items is also soaring, with searches for faux fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale platform.
"It's a statement coat," says a senior fashion editor, explaining that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her own oversized shaggy version with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend
This aesthetic is replicated in a new Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the sister replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is calling "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
This style is very much about embodying the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are primarily made from shearling—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a beloved character has taken charge with exaggerated proportions and surprising colors.
Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English creator was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by top singers.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal version similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside leopard- and zebra-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," explains a publication head.
This feeling is echoed by a style head at a major store, who describes it "an unexpected, playful touch" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It won't cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is rather dreary."