70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Fuzzy Jackets Are the Festive Essential Key Piece
Although the legendary New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues powerful.
Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and club-goers alike.
With the holiday party season approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant comeback.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Popularity
Among the hottest items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At another department store, online queries for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy finds is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur growing by 257% in the past six months on a major resale website.
"It's a one and done coat," says a senior fashion editor, adding that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
She likes to wear her personal colossal shaggy version with hipster jeans or tights and short shorts.
Screen Style Echoes the Trend
The style is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her bold outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Like that era, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
This style is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
Whereas real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, current versions are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and unexpected colors.
Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops
A London designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been worn by famous singers.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming release includes a rose and grey version akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine head.
This sentiment is echoed by a style head at a leading store, who calls it "a surprising, fun element" that avoids the need for a whole new ensemble.
The Ultimate Spirit Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glam when the world around you is rather dreary."