Why is everyone talking about the Mob Wife aesthetic in 2024?

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For several weeks now, the discretion of quiet luxury has been dethroned by silhouettes of mob wives in XXL fur coats and flashy gold jewelry. Taking inspiration from the 7th art, the Mob wife aesthetic has caused a tidal wave, reigniting the trend for strong character fashion pieces made of leather, lace, satin, and other animal prints. All of this is punctuated by voluminous hairstyles and perfectly drawn lips. However, the trend raises various debates and is not at the center of discussions solely for its success…

What is the Mob wife aesthetic?

While millennials and Gen Z have spent the last few months slicking their hair into sleek buns and wearing micro-logo Ralph Lauren sweaters, the tide has turned at the beginning of 2024… Now, it’s all about the Mob wife aesthetic, which means looks inspired by the wives of mobsters seen on the big and small screen. A mix of glamour and strong-willed femme fatale vibes, sporting flashy, oversized pieces. While some define them by their husband’s career, others see them as Main characters with an attitude that characterizes them, mainly expressed through their fashion style.

Like Eclectic Grandpa Core or the trend of bows and ribbons, it’s on social media that the Mob wife aesthetic exploded. The number of searches related to the trend has continuously increased since late 2023, with hashtags accumulating over 130 million views.

What are the inspirations of the Mob wife aesthetic?

Before the Kardashian clan appropriated the trend, it was the women from gangster and mafia films and series that inspired the Mob wife aesthetic.

While Netflix has highlighted several figures from drug trafficking, with recently Griselda Blanco, it is older productions that nourish the Pinterest moodboards of fashionistas tired of the clean girl aesthetic. Classics like Scarface and the series The Sopranos have become trendsetters.

Among the new fashion icons, we can mention, among others, Carmela Soprano, Adriana La Cerva, Rosalie Aprile (The Sopranos), Connie Corleone (The Godfather), Ginger McKenna (Casino), and Elvira Hancock (Scarface).

Why does the Mob wife aesthetic divide opinions?

Many women from the Italian-American community have expressed their annoyance towards this fashion trend, which they consider to be cultural appropriation. Indeed, this style of dress is associated with a whole culture, with a strong history. These women, often arriving in the USA during migration waves, have suffered for a long time from the image that has been portrayed through films. They point out that women today come to “glamorize” their outfits and appropriate them to create a fashion trend, even though they have no connection to this culture and do not share the same origins or social background.

Another point of contention is the furs that are at the heart of the Mob Wife aesthetic. Although solutions for faux furs have developed over the years, there is a fear of a return to the original material. Moreover, while vintage fur pieces can be found second-hand, the reality is that fast fashion is capitalizing on the trend, like Zara, whose sales of one of its fur coats have skyrocketed.

What pieces make up the Mob wife aesthetic?

In terms of looks, the Mob wife aesthetic translates to maximalism, both in cuts, materials, and prints. This applies to both ready-to-wear pieces and accessories.

First and foremost, overcoats become fashion statements, featuring long black, brown, or animal print fur coats. Another equally effective option is the long knotted leather trench coat. The material can also be worn as pants, in dark tones or with touches of red.

Glamour comes into play with slip dress styles in silk, satin, or sequins, or versions with lace. Character is added to outfits with pieces featuring leopard or zebra prints, worn either as a total look or as a sheer top.

Jewelry embellishments are inseparable from outfits, featuring eye-catching pieces. Pearl necklaces, chunky chain necklaces, and other solid gold earrings come out to play.

How does the Mob wife aesthetic impact beauty?

Alongside the return of XXL fur coats, volume also makes its way into hairstyles with plenty of root lift. A retro blowout has been spotlighted in Sofia Coppola’s film Priscilla or worn by Kendall Jenner at the latest Schiaparelli show.

We also find this XXL glamour vibe with highly pigmented lips and expertly contoured. Meanwhile, eyes are intensified with smoky eyes, and nails are long and pointed, featuring an impeccable French manicure.

Photos: Pinterest