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

Although the legendary New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues strong.

Currently, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and wraps favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.

With the holiday social calendar coming up, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a major comeback.

Retail Data Reflects the Popularity

Among the most popular items from a latest collaboration between a major retailer and a designer brand is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.

At a leading retailer, searches for taupe fake fur coats have surged almost 200% year on year.

Interest for secondhand plush finds is also soaring, with searches for synthetic fur growing by over 250% in the last six months on a popular resale platform.

"It's a one and done coat," says a senior fashion editor, explaining that it serves as the main element of an ensemble.

The editor likes to wear her own oversized furry coat with hipster jeans or leggings and micro shorts.

Screen Fashion Mirrors the Look

The aesthetic is replicated in a new Netflix romcom series, where a character sports a caramel furry jacket to a informal dinner.

When questioned about her bold outfit, the sister responds, "It's what you said to dress up. It's fashion!"

Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic

The trend fits into what a U.S. trend forecaster is terming "boom boom."

Inspired by the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.

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

Boom boom is very much about embodying the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.

Contemporary Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury

While real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's iterations are primarily made from lambskin—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like acrylic.

The trend embodies a knowing luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and unexpected hues.

Star Adoption and Limited Drops

A London designer was an early instigator of this movement. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by famous pop stars.

Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming release includes a pink and grey version similar to a giant pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy trim.

"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," says a publication head.

The sentiment is shared by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who calls it "a surprising, playful element" that avoids the need for a whole new ensemble.

The Ultimate Spirit Booster

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

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