Studio 54 Style Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Coats Have Become the Festive Season's Key Piece
While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers alike.
With the festive social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.
Shopping Data Shows 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 giant lapels.
At a leading department store, online queries for brown fake fur coats have surged almost 200% compared to last year.
Interest for secondhand plush items is also soaring, with searches for faux fur growing by 257% in the last six months on a major secondhand platform.
"It's a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, adding that it acts as the main element of an outfit.
She likes to style her own colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Screen Style Mirrors the Trend
This style is showcased in a latest streaming romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her bold look, the sister replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Like that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.
This style is all about embodying the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
Contemporary Materials and Playful Luxury
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's iterations are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic fabrics like acrylic.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and unexpected hues.
Star Adoption and Exclusive Drops
A London designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by top pop stars.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming release includes a pink and charcoal version similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print versions with dramatic fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
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 whole new ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can act as a fantastic pick-me-up.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when everything else is rather dreary."