70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Are the Party Essential Key Piece
While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its unique style impact continues strong.
This season, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the festive party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a recent collaboration between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At another department store, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped 190% compared to last year.
The demand for secondhand plush finds is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a major resale website.
"This is a statement coat," says a lead style expert, adding that it serves as the main piece of an outfit.
She likes to style her own colossal furry version with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Trend
This aesthetic is showcased in a latest streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring look, the sister responds, "It's what you said to look fancy. It's fashion!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what an American trend forecaster is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain economy.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's iterations are mostly made from shearling—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing opulence—like a beloved character has taken charge with exaggerated proportions and unexpected colors.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English designer was an early instigator of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been worn by top singers.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An forthcoming release includes a rose and grey style similar to a giant pom-pom, as well as leopard- and zebra-print versions with dramatic fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a basic jumper or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
This feeling is echoed by a fashion director at a leading store, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.
The Ultimate Mood Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can serve as a great mood lifter.
"It won't cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when the world around you is rather gloomy."