70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Party Season's Must-Have
Although the legendary New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its unique style impact continues powerful.
This season, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the holiday social calendar coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.
Retail Data Shows the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a short, cream, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At another retailer, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have surged almost 200% year on year.
Interest for secondhand fuzzy items is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a popular resale website.
"This is a one and done coat," says a senior style expert, adding that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to wear her own colossal furry version with low-rise jeans or tights and short shorts.
Television Fashion Echoes the Look
This style is showcased in a latest streaming romantic comedy series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the character responds, "You told us to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
This look aligns with what an American style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and opulence of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fur.
Similar to that era, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Playful Luxury
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are mostly made from shearlingâa byproduct of the meat industryâor man-made fabrics like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxuryâas if a famous Muppet has taken charge with overblown proportions and surprising colors.
Star Adoption and Limited Drops
An English creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by famous pop stars.
Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming release includes a rose and grey version similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic jumper or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
The sentiment is echoed by a style head at a major retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.
Final Mood Lifter
In the end, the fuzzy coat can act as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it will make you feel glam when the world around you is pretty dreary."
