70s Nightclub Style Returns for a Revival: Fuzzy Coats Are the Party Season's Must-Have
While the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence remains strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles favored by style icons and party enthusiasts as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.
Shopping Data Reflects the Trend
One of the most popular items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have surged 190% year on year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy finds is also soaring, with queries for synthetic fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"This is a one and done coat," says a senior fashion editor, adding that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to wear her own colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Fashion Mirrors the Look
This style is replicated in a latest streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a caramel fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to dress up. It's fashion!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what a U.S. style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is all about embodying the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend represents a knowing luxury—as if a beloved character has taken charge with overblown silhouettes and surprising hues.
Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by top singers.
Due to high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal style akin to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fluffy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a publication head.
The feeling is echoed by a fashion director at a major retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, playful element" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Lifter
In the end, the shaggy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is rather gloomy."