Studio 54 Fashion Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Festive Essential Must-Have
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its unique style impact continues powerful.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and stoles worn by style icons and club-goers as well.
With the festive social calendar coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.
Shopping Data Shows the Trend
Among the hottest items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a designer brand is a cropped, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At another department store, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% year on year.
The demand for secondhand fuzzy items is also soaring, with searches for faux fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a major resale website.
"It's a one and done coat," says a lead style expert, adding that it serves as the central piece of an ensemble.
She likes to style her personal oversized furry coat with low-rise jeans or tights and short shorts.
Television Style Echoes the Look
This aesthetic is replicated in a latest streaming romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "It's what you said to dress up. It's fashion!"
The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic
The trend aligns with what an American style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wads of cash, champagne, smoking, short skirts, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.
Like that era, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
Boom boom is all about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.
Modern Materials and Playful Luxury
Whereas real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are primarily made from shearling—a secondary product of the meat industry—or man-made fabrics like acrylic.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated proportions and unexpected colors.
Star Endorsement and Limited Drops
A London designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top singers.
Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and charcoal style akin to a giant pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print options with exaggerated fluffy trim.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," says a publication head.
The feeling is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.
The Ultimate Mood Booster
In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty dreary."
