Studio 54 Style Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Festive Season's Must-Have
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains strong.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major resurgence.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
One of the hottest items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.
At a leading department store, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have surged almost 200% year on year.
Interest for secondhand fuzzy items is also soaring, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale platform.
"This is a statement coat," notes a senior fashion editor, adding that it acts as the central piece of an ensemble.
The editor prefers to wear her personal colossal shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.
Television Fashion Echoes the Look
This aesthetic is showcased in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a character sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the character replies, "You told us to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
This look fits into what an American style analyst is calling "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fur.
Like that era, the trend is emerging during a uncertain economy.
Boom boom is very much about embodying the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Fabrics and Playful Luxury
While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and unexpected colors.
Celebrity Endorsement and Limited Drops
An English creator was an early instigator of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by famous pop stars.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An upcoming launch includes a rose and grey style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"If you can only purchase a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.
The feeling is shared by a fashion director at a leading store, who calls it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.
The Ultimate Spirit Booster
In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It won't cost a fortune," notes the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when the world around you is pretty dreary."
