Studio 54 Style Makes a Comeback: Shaggy Jackets Have Become the Festive Season's Key Piece
Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains strong.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.
With the festive social calendar approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major resurgence.
Shopping Data Reflects the Trend
One of the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, cream, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading department store, searches for brown faux fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
Interest for pre-owned fuzzy items is also rising, with queries for synthetic fur growing by over 250% in the past six months on a major secondhand website.
"This is a one and done coat," says a lead fashion editor, adding that it acts as the central piece of an outfit.
The editor prefers to style her own colossal furry version with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
Television Style Mirrors the Trend
The style is replicated in a new Netflix romantic comedy series, where a sister sports a caramel furry jacket to a casual dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the character responds, "You told us to look fancy. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Vibe
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is calling "glam excess."
Inspired by the glamour and opulence of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fur.
Like that time, the trend is emerging during a uncertain financial climate.
This style is all about embodying the life you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
While real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's iterations are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic fabrics like polyester.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken charge with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising colors.
Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops
A London designer was an early instigator of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly textures have been worn by famous singers.
Due to high interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming release includes a pink and charcoal version similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with dramatic fluffy trim.
"If you can only purchase one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic sweater or a pair of ordinary pants, you want something dramatic," explains a publication head.
This sentiment is shared by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who calls it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.
Final Mood Booster
In the end, the fuzzy coat can act as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty gloomy."
