70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Party Essential Must-Have

Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence remains powerful.

Currently, the focus isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers alike.

With the holiday social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.

Retail Statistics Shows the Trend

Among the most popular items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, off-white, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.

At another retailer, searches for brown faux fur coats have surged 190% compared to last year.

Interest for pre-owned plush items is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a major resale website.

"This is a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, adding that it acts as the central element of an ensemble.

She likes to wear her own oversized furry coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.

Screen Fashion Echoes the Trend

This style is replicated in a new Netflix romcom series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.

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

The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe

The trend aligns with what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."

Inspired by the glamour and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, short skirts, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.

Like that time, the trend is set against a uncertain economy.

Boom boom is all about embodying the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.

Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence

Whereas real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are primarily made from shearling—a secondary product of the food industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.

The trend represents a knowing opulence—as if a beloved character has taken over with exaggerated proportions and unexpected hues.

Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops

An English creator was an pioneer of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly textures have been sported by top singers.

Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal version similar to a giant pom-pom, as well as leopard- and zebra-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.

"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic jumper or a pair of ordinary pants, you want a standout piece," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.

This feeling is shared by a style head at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.

Final Mood Booster

In the end, the shaggy coat can act as a great mood lifter.

"It won't cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty gloomy."

Darlene Francis
Darlene Francis

A seasoned financial analyst with over a decade of experience in investment strategies and personal finance coaching.

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