🔗 Share this article

Although the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact remains powerful.

Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and stoles worn by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.

With the holiday party season approaching, the signature Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major comeback.

Retail Data Shows the Trend

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

At another department store, online queries for brown fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.

Interest for secondhand fuzzy items is also rising, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale website.

"This is a statement coat," says a senior fashion editor, explaining that it serves as the central element of an ensemble.

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

Television Fashion Echoes the Look

The style is replicated in a new streaming romantic comedy series, where a character sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.

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

The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Vibe

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

Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this vibe evokes wealth, bubbly, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fur.

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

This style is all about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.

Modern Fabrics and Playful Luxury

While animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, current versions are primarily made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or synthetic fabrics like acrylic.

The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and surprising hues.

Celebrity Adoption and Exclusive Drops

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

Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming launch includes a rose and grey version similar to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fluffy frou-frou.

"If you can only purchase one thing, you wouldn't choose it to be a basic jumper or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.

This sentiment is echoed by a style head at a major retailer, who calls it "an unexpected, fun element" that doesn't require a complete ensemble.

Final Mood Booster

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

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