70s Nightclub Style Returns for a Revival: Fuzzy Jackets Are the Party Season's Must-Have
While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues powerful.
This season, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and wraps worn by style icons and party enthusiasts alike.
With the festive social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major resurgence.
Shopping Statistics Reflects the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a recent collaboration between a major retailer and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have surged almost 200% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned plush items is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the last six months on a major secondhand website.
"It's a statement coat," notes a lead style expert, explaining that it serves as the central piece of an ensemble.
The editor likes to style her personal colossal shaggy version with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Look
This style is replicated in a new Netflix romantic comedy series, where a character wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the character responds, "You told us to dress up. It's fashion!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
This look aligns with what an American style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the extravagance and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, champagne, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain economy.
This style is very much about embodying the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence
Whereas real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, current iterations are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a knowing luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken charge with exaggerated proportions and unexpected hues.
Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops
A London designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by famous singers.
Because of high 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, alongside leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want something dramatic," says a publication head.
The sentiment is shared by a style head at a leading store, who calls it "a surprising, playful touch" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
Final Mood Booster
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," says the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."