70s Nightclub Style Makes a Revival: Shaggy Coats Are the Party Essential Must-Have
While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique style impact continues strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the festive party season approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major comeback.
Retail Data Shows the Popularity
Among the hottest items from a latest collaboration between a high-street brand and a London label is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading department store, online queries for brown faux fur coats have surged 190% compared to last year.
The demand for pre-owned plush finds is also rising, with searches for faux fur growing by 257% in the past six months on a popular resale platform.
"It's a statement coat," says a senior style expert, adding that it serves as the central element of an outfit.
She likes to wear her personal colossal furry coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Look
The style is showcased in a latest Netflix 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" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what a U.S. style analyst is terming "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, loose morals and, of course, fur.
Like that time, the trend is set against a volatile economy.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, current iterations are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a beloved character has taken charge with overblown silhouettes and surprising colors.
Celebrity Endorsement and Exclusive Releases
A London creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by famous singers.
Because of high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming release includes a rose and charcoal style similar to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and zebra-print options with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want a standout piece," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
The sentiment is echoed by a style head at a leading retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, playful touch" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.
Final Spirit Booster
Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," notes the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when the world around you is pretty gloomy."