70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Comeback: Fuzzy Jackets Are the Party Season's Key Piece
While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues strong.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.
With the holiday social calendar approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant comeback.
Shopping Statistics Reflects the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a recent partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a short, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At another department store, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have surged almost 200% year on year.
Interest for pre-owned fuzzy items is also rising, with searches for faux fur growing by 257% in the past six months on a major secondhand platform.
"It's a statement coat," says a lead fashion editor, adding that it serves as the central element of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her own colossal furry version with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a new Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her daring outfit, the character responds, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what an American trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Like that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Fabrics and Playful Luxury
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are mostly made from lambskinâa byproduct of the food industryâor man-made materials like polyester.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxuryâlike a famous Muppet has taken charge with overblown proportions and surprising hues.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly textures have been worn by top pop stars.
Because of high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming release includes a pink and charcoal version akin to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want a standout piece," explains a publication head.
The feeling is echoed by a style head at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
Final Mood Lifter
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."