70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Are the Festive Season's Key Piece
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the holiday party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant comeback.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend
Among the most popular items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, searches for taupe fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
Interest for pre-owned plush items is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the last six months on a major resale website.
"It's a one and done coat," notes a senior style expert, adding that it acts as the central element of an ensemble.
She prefers to style her own oversized shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Fashion Mirrors the Trend
This aesthetic is replicated in a new Netflix romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
This look aligns with what an American style analyst is terming "boom boom."
Rooted in the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, champagne, smoking, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a uncertain economy.
This style is very much about embodying the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like acrylic.
The trend represents a knowing opulence—like a beloved character has taken over with exaggerated proportions and surprising hues.
Celebrity Endorsement and Limited Drops
A London designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly textures have been worn by famous pop stars.
Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An forthcoming release includes a rose and grey style akin to a giant pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print versions with dramatic fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," explains a publication head.
The feeling is echoed by a style head at a major store, who calls it "a surprising, playful element" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.
Final Spirit Booster
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," notes the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."