70s Nightclub Fashion Returns for a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Are the Festive Season's Key Piece

Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains powerful.

This season, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles favored by style icons and party enthusiasts as well.

With the festive party season coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.

Retail Statistics Shows the Popularity

One of the most popular items from a latest collaboration between a major retailer and a designer brand is a short, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.

At another retailer, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.

Interest for pre-owned plush items is also soaring, with searches for faux fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale platform.

"It's a one and done coat," notes a lead fashion editor, explaining that it acts as the central piece of an ensemble.

She prefers to style her own colossal shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.

Screen Style Mirrors the Look

This style is showcased in a new streaming romcom series, where a character sports a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.

When questioned about her bold look, the sister replies, "You told us to dress up. It's fashion!"

Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic

This look fits into what a U.S. style analyst is terming "boom boom."

Inspired by the glamour and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fuzzy textures.

Like that era, the trend is set against a uncertain financial climate.

This style is very much about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.

Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury

While animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are primarily made from shearling—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made materials like polyester.

The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a beloved character has taken over with exaggerated proportions and surprising hues.

Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops

An English designer was an pioneer of this movement. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by famous pop stars.

Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming release includes a rose and charcoal style akin to a giant pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print options with exaggerated fuzzy trim.

"If you can only purchase one thing, you don't want it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary pants, you want a standout piece," explains a publication head.

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

The Ultimate Spirit Booster

In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.

"It won't cost a lot," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when everything else is rather gloomy."

Kelly Bennett
Kelly Bennett

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in writing about video games and digital trends.