70s Nightclub Style Makes a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Party Season's Must-Have
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence remains powerful.
Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and wraps favored by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the holiday social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Popularity
Among 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 retailer, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have jumped 190% compared to last year.
Interest for pre-owned plush items is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale platform.
"This is a statement coat," says a lead style expert, adding that it acts as the central piece of an ensemble.
She likes to wear her personal oversized shaggy version with low-rise jeans or tights and short shorts.
Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a new streaming romantic comedy series, where a character wears a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister responds, "It's what you said to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
This look fits into what a U.S. style analyst is calling "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.
This style is very much about embodying the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are mostly made from lambskin—a secondary product of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend represents a knowing luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising colors.
Celebrity Endorsement and Limited Drops
A London creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly textures have been sported by famous pop stars.
Due to strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming launch includes a rose and grey style similar to a giant pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain sweater or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
This feeling is shared by a style head at a major store, who describes it "a surprising, playful touch" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.
The Ultimate Spirit Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can serve as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," notes the expert, "and it will make you feel glamorous when the world around you is rather gloomy."