Studio 54 Style Makes a Revival: Shaggy Jackets Are the Festive Essential Key Piece

While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its distinct style impact continues strong.

This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, shaggy coats and wraps favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts alike.

With the holiday party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is experiencing a significant resurgence.

Retail Data Shows the Popularity

One of the hottest items from a latest collaboration between a high-street brand and a London label is a short, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.

At another retailer, online queries for taupe faux fur coats have jumped almost 200% compared to last year.

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

"This is a one and done coat," notes a lead fashion editor, explaining that it acts as the central piece of an outfit.

The editor prefers to wear her own colossal furry coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and short shorts.

Television Fashion Echoes the Look

This style is showcased in a new Netflix romcom series, where a sister sports a toffee-colored fuzzy jacket to a informal 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" Aesthetic

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

Inspired by the glamour and opulence of late-80s New York, this vibe brings to mind wads of cash, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fuzzy textures.

Like that era, the trend is set against a volatile economy.

Boom boom is very much about dressing for the life you aspire to rather than the one you are stuck with.

Modern Fabrics and Playful Opulence

Whereas real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's heyday, today's versions are mostly made from lambskin—a byproduct of the food industry—or man-made materials like acrylic.

The trend represents a tongue-in-cheek luxury—as if a famous Muppet has taken over with exaggerated silhouettes and unexpected colors.

Celebrity Endorsement and Limited Drops

A London creator was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with curly proportions have been sported by famous pop stars.

Because of strong demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An upcoming launch includes a pink and grey style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and zebra-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.

"If you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a basic sweater or a pair of boring pants, you want something dramatic," says a magazine editor-in-chief.

The sentiment is echoed by a fashion director at a leading store, who describes it "an unexpected, playful element" that doesn't require a whole new ensemble.

Final Mood Booster

Ultimately, the shaggy coat can serve as a fantastic mood lifter.

"It won't cost a lot," says the expert, "and it will make you feel glam when everything else is pretty gloomy."