Studio 54 Style Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Coats Are the Festive Essential Must-Have
While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains strong.
This season, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and wraps worn by celebrities and club-goers as well.
With the holiday party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
Among the most popular items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading retailer, searches for brown faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy finds is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"It's a one and done coat," says a lead fashion editor, adding that it acts as the central piece of an outfit.
She likes to style her personal oversized furry coat with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend
The aesthetic is showcased in a latest Netflix romcom series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When challenged about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. It's fashion!"
Emergence of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend aligns with what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and opulence of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Materials and Playful Opulence
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current versions are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising colors.
Star Adoption and Limited Drops
An English designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by top pop stars.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An upcoming release includes a rose and grey version akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and tiger-print options with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.
"If you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a basic jumper or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
This sentiment is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful touch" that doesn't require a complete outfit.
The Ultimate Spirit Lifter
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."