70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Fuzzy Jackets Have Become the Festive Season's Key Piece
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues powerful.
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 holiday party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.
Interest for secondhand fuzzy finds is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale platform.
"This is a one and done coat," says a lead fashion editor, adding that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
She prefers to style her personal colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. It's fashion!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "glam excess."
Rooted in the glamour and opulence of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
Boom boom is all about embodying the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, current versions are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising colors.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Releases
A London creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by famous pop stars.
Due to strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An upcoming release includes a rose and grey version similar to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and tiger-print options with dramatic fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," says a publication editor-in-chief.
This sentiment is echoed by a style head at a major store, who describes it "an unexpected, fun element" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Final Spirit Booster
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is rather gloomy."
