70s Nightclub Style Returns for a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Festive Season's Must-Have

While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its unique style impact continues strong.

This season, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and wraps favored by style icons and club-goers as well.

With the holiday party season approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.

Retail Data Reflects the Popularity

One of the most popular items from a recent partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a cropped, cream, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.

At a leading retailer, online queries for brown fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.

The demand for pre-owned plush finds is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale website.

"It's a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, adding that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.

The editor likes to wear her own colossal furry coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and micro shorts.

Screen Fashion Mirrors the Look

The style is showcased in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a caramel furry jacket to a casual dinner.

When questioned about her bold outfit, the character replies, "It's what you said to look fancy. That's style!"

The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe

The trend aligns with what an American style analyst is calling "glam excess."

Inspired by the glamour and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.

Like that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.

Boom boom is all about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.

Modern Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence

Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or synthetic fabrics like polyester.

The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising hues.

Celebrity Endorsement and Exclusive Drops

An English creator was an pioneer of this movement. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by famous singers.

Because of high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited collections. An upcoming release includes a pink and charcoal version akin to a giant pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.

"When you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a basic jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want something dramatic," explains a publication editor-in-chief.

This feeling is shared by a fashion director at a major store, who calls it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.

The Ultimate Mood Lifter

Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can act as a fantastic pick-me-up.

"It won't cost a fortune," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty dreary."

Timothy Wright
Timothy Wright

An avid traveler and journalist with a passion for uncovering unique stories from diverse cultures and regions.