Studio 54 Style Makes a Revival: Fuzzy Jackets Have Become the Party Season's Key Piece
Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.
Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity
Among the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another department store, online queries for taupe fake fur coats have surged almost 200% year on year.
The demand for secondhand plush finds is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur growing by 257% in the last six months on a popular secondhand platform.
"This is a statement coat," notes a lead style expert, explaining that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
She likes to wear her own colossal shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Look
This style is showcased in a new streaming romcom series, where a sister wears a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a informal dinner.
When challenged about her daring outfit, the character responds, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"
Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is terming "boom boom."
Inspired by the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, cigarettes, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Like that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.
This style is all about embodying the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Fabrics and Playful Luxury
Whereas real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are mostly made from shearlingâa byproduct of the food industryâor man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend embodies a knowing luxuryâlike a beloved character has taken charge with overblown proportions and surprising hues.
Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Releases
An English designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by top singers.
Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming release includes a pink and charcoal version similar to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print options with dramatic fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic jumper or a pair of boring trousers, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine head.
This sentiment is shared by a style head at a leading retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."