70s Nightclub Style Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Are the Festive Season's Must-Have
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence remains strong.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the holiday social calendar coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, off-white, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, searches for brown faux fur coats have surged 190% year on year.
Interest for secondhand fuzzy finds is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale website.
"This is a statement coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it serves as the main piece of an outfit.
The editor likes to wear her own oversized shaggy coat with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Trend
The style is replicated in a new streaming romantic comedy series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her bold outfit, the sister responds, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
This look fits into what an American style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is set against 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 Fabrics and Playful Opulence
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and unexpected colors.
Star Adoption and Limited Releases
A London creator was an early instigator of this movement. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top singers.
Due to high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and charcoal style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only purchase a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," says a publication head.
The feeling is echoed by a style head at a major store, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
Final Spirit Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it will make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty gloomy."