70s Nightclub Style Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Are the Festive Season's Must-Have

While the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues powerful.

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

With the holiday social calendar approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.

Shopping Statistics Reflects the Popularity

Among the most popular items from a latest partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a short, off-white, long-haired jacket with giant lapels.

At a leading retailer, searches for brown fake fur coats have jumped 190% compared to last year.

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

"It's a one and done coat," says a lead style expert, adding that it serves as the main element of an ensemble.

The editor likes to wear her own colossal furry coat with hipster jeans or tights and short shorts.

Screen Fashion Mirrors the Trend

This aesthetic is replicated in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a character wears a caramel furry jacket to a casual dinner.

When questioned about her daring look, the character replies, "It's what you said to dress up. That's style!"

The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe

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

Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, short skirts, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.

Like that era, the trend is set against a volatile economy.

Boom boom is all about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.

Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury

Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic materials like polyester.

The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek opulence—like a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated proportions and surprising hues.

Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Drops

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

Due to strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal version akin to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and zebra-print options with dramatic fluffy trim.

"When you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a basic jumper or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine head.

The feeling is echoed by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who describes it "an unexpected, fun element" that avoids the need for a whole new outfit.

The Ultimate Mood Lifter

Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a great mood lifter.

"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when the world around you is rather gloomy."

Amber Dorsey
Amber Dorsey

Rafaela Silva is a seasoned betting analyst with over a decade of experience in the Portuguese gaming industry, specializing in odds analysis.