70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Are the Party Season's Key Piece
While the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the festive social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant comeback.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend
One of the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a major retailer and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another department store, searches for taupe fake fur coats have surged 190% year on year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy finds is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a major secondhand website.
"It's a statement coat," says a senior style expert, adding that it acts as the central element of an ensemble.
She likes to wear her own oversized shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Trend
This aesthetic is showcased 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 look fancy. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what an American trend forecaster is terming "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, champagne, cigarettes, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a volatile economy.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Materials and Playful Opulence
While animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, current versions are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend represents a knowing opulence—like a famous Muppet has taken charge with overblown proportions and surprising colors.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English designer was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly textures have been sported by top pop stars.
Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An upcoming release includes a rose and grey style akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside leopard- and zebra-print versions with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a plain sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
The sentiment is echoed by a fashion director at a major retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, fun touch" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glam when the world around you is rather dreary."
