Although the legendary New York nightclub Studio 54 shut its doors nearly four decades ago, its unique fashion influence continues strong.
Currently, the focus isn't on sheer bodysuits but on the furry, fuzzy coats and wraps favored by celebrities and party enthusiasts as well.
With the holiday party season coming up, the distinctive Studio 54 coat is enjoying a significant resurgence.
Among the most popular items from a recent collaboration between a high-street brand and a designer brand is a short, off-white, shaggy jacket with giant lapels.
At another department store, searches for taupe fake fur coats have jumped 190% compared to last year.
The demand for pre-owned fuzzy finds is also soaring, with searches for faux fur growing by over 250% in the past six months on a major resale website.
"It's a one and done coat," says a senior style expert, adding that it serves as the central piece of an ensemble.
She prefers to wear her personal colossal shaggy coat with hipster jeans or leggings and short shorts.
The style is replicated in a new Netflix romcom series, where a character wears a toffee-colored furry jacket to a informal dinner.
When questioned about her daring look, the character responds, "You told us to look fancy. It's fashion!"
The trend fits into what a U.S. trend forecaster is calling "glam excess."
Rooted in the extravagance and excess of the 1980s New York, this aesthetic evokes wealth, champagne, smoking, high hemlines, loose morals and, of course, fuzzy textures.
Similar to that time, the trend is set against a volatile financial climate.
This style is all about embodying the lifestyle you aspire to rather than the one you have to endure.
Whereas animal fur was everywhere during Studio 54's peak, today's versions are primarily made from lambskin—a secondary product of the food industry—or man-made fabrics like acrylic.
The trend embodies a tongue-in-cheek luxury—like a famous Muppet has taken over with overblown silhouettes and surprising hues.
A London creator was an pioneer of this movement. Her shaggy coats with poodle-like proportions have been worn by top singers.
Because of high demand, these coats are now only sold in exclusive drops. An forthcoming release includes a rose and grey style similar to a large pom-pom, as well as animal and tiger-print versions with exaggerated fuzzy frou-frou.
"When you can only buy a single item, you wouldn't choose it to be a plain sweater or a pair of boring trousers, you want something dramatic," explains a publication editor-in-chief.
The feeling is echoed by a style head at a leading retailer, who calls it "a surprising, playful element" that avoids the need for a complete outfit.
In the end, the fuzzy coat can serve as a great pick-me-up.
"It doesn't have to cost a fortune," says the expert, "and it's going to make you feel glamorous when the world around you is pretty gloomy."
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