While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues powerful.
Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by style icons and party enthusiasts alike.
With the festive party season approaching, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant comeback.
Shopping Data Reflects the Popularity
One of the most popular items from a latest partnership between a high-street brand and a London label is a cropped, cream, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading retailer, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have surged almost 200% compared to last year.
Interest for secondhand plush items is also rising, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a popular resale website.
"This is a statement coat," notes a senior style expert, explaining that it acts as the main piece of an ensemble.
The editor prefers to style her own colossal furry coat with low-rise jeans or tights and micro shorts.
Television Style Mirrors the Trend
This aesthetic is showcased in a latest streaming romcom series, where a sister sports a caramel furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the character responds, "You told us to dress up. That's style!"
The Rise of the "Glamorous" Aesthetic
The trend fits into what a U.S. style analyst is terming "glam excess."
Rooted in the glamour and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a uncertain economy.
This style is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.
Modern Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury
Whereas animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's heyday, current iterations are mostly made from shearling—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek opulence—like a beloved character has taken over with overblown proportions and unexpected colors.
Celebrity Endorsement and Exclusive Drops
An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like textures have been sported by famous pop stars.
Due to high demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive collections. An forthcoming launch includes a rose and charcoal version similar to a large pom-pom, as well as leopard- and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.
This sentiment is shared by a fashion director at a leading retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that avoids the need for a complete outfit.
Final Mood Booster
Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can act as a great mood lifter.
"It won't cost a lot," notes the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is pretty gloomy."
