70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Revival: Fuzzy Coats Have Become the Party Season's Key Piece
While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.
Shopping Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading department store, online queries for brown fake fur coats have surged 190% compared to last year.
Interest for secondhand fuzzy finds is also soaring, with queries for synthetic fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a major resale website.
"It's a statement coat," says a lead style expert, explaining that it acts as the main element of an ensemble.
The editor prefers to style her own oversized shaggy coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Style Echoes the Look
The aesthetic is showcased in a latest Netflix romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her bold look, the sister replies, "You told us to dress up. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
This look aligns with what an American trend forecaster is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Fabrics and Playful Opulence
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made fabrics like acrylic.
The trend embodies a knowing opulence—as if a famous Muppet has taken charge with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising colors.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Drops
A London creator was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by top pop stars.
Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming launch includes a rose and grey style akin to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print versions with dramatic fluffy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine head.
This feeling is shared by a fashion director at a major retailer, who calls it "a surprising, playful touch" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
The Ultimate Mood Lifter
Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can act as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It won't cost a fortune," notes the editor, "and it will make you feel glam when the world around you is pretty gloomy."
