While the iconic New York venue Studio 54 shut its doors almost four decades ago, its distinct fashion influence remains powerful.
This season, the spotlight isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the plush, fuzzy coats and wraps favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.
With the festive party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a major comeback.
One of the most popular items from a latest collaboration between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a cropped, off-white, shaggy jacket with oversized lapels.
At a leading department store, online queries for brown fake fur coats have jumped 190% year on year.
Interest for secondhand plush finds is also soaring, with queries for faux fur increasing by 257% in the last six months on a major resale website.
"This is a statement coat," says a lead style expert, adding that it acts as the main piece of an outfit.
She likes to style her own oversized shaggy version with low-rise jeans or leggings and micro shorts.
The style is replicated in a latest streaming romantic comedy series, where a character wears a caramel furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring outfit, the sister responds, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The trend aligns with what an American style analyst is calling "boom boom."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of late-80s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, bubbly, cigarettes, high hemlines, loose morals and, naturally, fur.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
Boom boom is very much about embodying the lifestyle you dream of rather than the one you are stuck with.
While real fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are mostly made from shearling—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like polyester.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek opulence—like a famous Muppet has taken charge with exaggerated silhouettes and unexpected hues.
A London designer was an pioneer of this trend. Her fluffy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by famous pop stars.
Due to strong interest, these coats are now only sold in limited drops. An upcoming release includes a pink and charcoal style similar to a giant pom-pom, alongside leopard- and zebra-print versions with dramatic fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy a single item, you don't want it to be a plain jumper or a pair of boring pants, you want a standout piece," says a publication head.
This feeling is echoed by a style head at a leading retailer, who calls it "a surprising, fun touch" that avoids the need for a complete ensemble.
Ultimately, the shaggy coat can act as a fantastic mood lifter.
"It doesn't have to cost a lot," says the editor, "and it will make you feel glamorous when everything else is rather gloomy."
