🔗 Share this article

Although the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence continues strong.

Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, shaggy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and club-goers alike.

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

Shopping Statistics Reflects the Popularity

Among the hottest items from a recent partnership between a major retailer and a London label is a short, off-white, long-haired jacket with oversized lapels.

At another retailer, searches for taupe faux fur coats have surged 190% year on year.

The demand for pre-owned plush items is also rising, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the past six months on a popular resale platform.

"It's a one and done coat," notes a senior style expert, explaining that it acts as the main element of an ensemble.

The editor likes to wear her personal oversized furry version with low-rise jeans or tights and short shorts.

Television Style Mirrors the Trend

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

When challenged about her daring outfit, the character responds, "It's what you said to dress up. It's fashion!"

Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe

This look fits into what an American trend forecaster is calling "boom boom."

Rooted in the glamour and excess of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, naturally, fuzzy textures.

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

This style is very much about dressing for the life you dream of rather than the one you have to endure.

Contemporary Materials and Playful Luxury

Whereas real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's iterations are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the meat industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.

The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken charge with overblown silhouettes and unexpected hues.

Star Adoption and Limited Drops

An English designer was an early instigator of this movement. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been worn by top singers.

Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming launch includes a pink and charcoal version similar to a large pom-pom, alongside leopard- and tiger-print options with dramatic fluffy trim.

"If you can only buy one thing, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a magazine editor-in-chief.

The sentiment is echoed by a fashion director at a major retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, playful element" that avoids the need for a complete outfit.

The Ultimate Spirit Booster

Ultimately, the fuzzy coat can act as a great mood lifter.

"It doesn't have to cost a lot," says the editor, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when everything else is rather gloomy."