70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Coats Are the Party Essential Must-Have
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues powerful.
This season, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.
Retail Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a recent partnership between a major retailer and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At another retailer, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have surged almost 200% compared to last year.
The demand for secondhand plush finds is also rising, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a popular resale website.
"This is a statement coat," notes a lead fashion editor, explaining that it acts as the central piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to wear her own colossal furry coat with low-rise jeans or tights and short shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a latest streaming romantic comedy series, where a character sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the character responds, "It's what you said to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what an American trend forecaster is calling "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is all about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Fabrics and Playful Opulence
Whereas real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.
The trend represents a knowing luxury—as if a beloved character has taken charge with overblown silhouettes and surprising colors.
Star Adoption and Limited Releases
An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by top singers.
Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming release includes a rose and grey style akin to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"If you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a publication editor-in-chief.
This feeling is echoed by a style head at a major store, who calls it "an unexpected, playful touch" that avoids the need for a whole new ensemble.
The Ultimate Mood Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is rather dreary."
