70s Nightclub Fashion Makes a Revival: Fuzzy Coats Have Become the Party Essential Key Piece
While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its unique style impact continues strong.
Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the holiday party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.
Shopping Statistics Shows the Trend
One of the hottest items from a recent partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At another retailer, online queries for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy items is also soaring, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale website.
"This is a statement coat," says a senior fashion editor, adding that it acts as the central element of an ensemble.
She likes to wear her own oversized furry coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is replicated in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what an American trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a uncertain economy.
This style is all about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Materials and Playful Opulence
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's iterations are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic materials like acrylic.
The trend represents a knowing opulence—like a beloved character has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising hues.
Star Endorsement and Limited Releases
An English creator was an pioneer of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by famous pop stars.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An upcoming release includes a pink and charcoal style similar to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a basic jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine head.
This feeling is shared by a style head at a leading store, who describes it "a surprising, playful touch" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty dreary."
