🔗 Share this article

While the legendary New York venue Studio 54 closed nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues strong.

This season, the spotlight isn't on see-through bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and stoles worn by style icons and party enthusiasts as well.

With the holiday social calendar coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.

Retail Data Reflects the Popularity

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

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

The demand for pre-owned plush items is also rising, with searches for synthetic fur increasing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale platform.

"This is a one and done coat," notes a lead style expert, adding that it serves as the central element of an outfit.

The editor likes to style her own colossal shaggy coat with low-rise jeans or leggings and micro shorts.

Television Fashion Mirrors the Trend

This style is showcased in a latest Netflix romantic comedy series, where a character sports a caramel fuzzy jacket to a casual dinner.

When challenged about her daring look, the character replies, "You told us to dress up. That's style!"

The Rise of the "Boom Boom" Aesthetic

The trend fits into what an American style analyst is calling "boom boom."

Inspired by the extravagance and opulence of the 1980s New York, this vibe brings to mind wealth, bubbly, smoking, short skirts, carefree attitudes and, of course, fur.

Like that era, the trend is emerging during a volatile financial climate.

Boom boom is all about dressing for the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.

Contemporary Materials and Tongue-in-Cheek Luxury

While real fur was omnipresent during Studio 54's peak, current versions are mostly made from shearling—a secondary product of the meat industry—or synthetic fabrics like acrylic.

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

Celebrity Adoption and Limited Drops

A London designer was an pioneer of this movement. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been sported by famous singers.

Because of strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An forthcoming release includes a pink and charcoal version akin to a large pom-pom, alongside animal and zebra-print options with exaggerated fluffy trim.

"If you can only purchase a single item, you don't want it to be a plain sweater or a pair of ordinary trousers, you want a standout piece," says a publication head.

This sentiment is echoed by a fashion director at a major store, who calls it "an unexpected, fun touch" that doesn't require a complete outfit.

The Ultimate Spirit Booster

In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.

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