🔗 Share this article

While the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its unique fashion influence remains powerful.

Currently, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps worn by style icons and club-goers as well.

With the festive party season approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.

Shopping Statistics Shows the Popularity

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

At another department store, searches for taupe fake fur coats have surged 190% year on year.

Interest for pre-owned fuzzy finds 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," notes a lead style expert, adding that it serves as the main element of an outfit.

She likes to style her own colossal furry coat with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.

Television Style Mirrors the Look

The aesthetic is showcased in a new streaming romantic comedy series, where a character sports a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.

When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister replies, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"

Emergence of the "Boom Boom" Vibe

The trend aligns with what a U.S. style analyst is calling "boom boom."

Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic brings to mind wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.

Similar to that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile economy.

Boom boom is all about embodying the life you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.

Modern Fabrics and Tongue-in-Cheek Opulence

While animal fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are mostly made from lambskin—a secondary product of the meat industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.

The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek opulence—as if a beloved character has taken charge with overblown silhouettes and unexpected colors.

Celebrity Endorsement and Limited Drops

An English designer was an early instigator of this trend. Her shaggy coats with curly proportions have been worn by famous singers.

Due to strong interest, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming release includes a pink and grey style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and zebra-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy trim.

"If you can only buy one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a publication head.

The sentiment is echoed by a style head at a major retailer, who describes it "a surprising, playful element" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.

The Ultimate Mood Lifter

Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a great pick-me-up.

"It won't cost a lot," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glam when the world around you is rather dreary."