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

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For the past few weeks, the discreet nature of quiet luxury has been dethroned by silhouettes of mob wives in oversized fur coats and flashy gold jewelry. Drawing inspiration from cinema, the Mob wife aesthetic has caused a tsunami in its wake, reviving the trend of bold fashion pieces characterized by leather, lace, satin, and other wild patterns. All of this is punctuated by voluminous hairstyles and drawn lips. However, this 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 back into sleek buns and wearing micro-logo Ralph Lauren sweaters, the tide has turned at the beginning of 2024… Now, it’s time for the Mob wife aesthetic, which includes looks inspired by the wives of mobsters seen on the big and small screens. A mix of glamour and strong-willed femme fatale, sporting oversized and flashy pieces. While some see them as defined by their husbands’ careers, others view them as Main characters with a distinct attitude that is primarily expressed through their fashion style.

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

What are the inspirations behind the Mob wife aesthetic?

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

While Netflix has highlighted several figures from drug trafficking, with Griselda Blanco recently, it is older productions that feed 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 frustration towards this fashion trend, which they deem to be cultural appropriation. Indeed, this fashion style is associated with a culture that has a strong history. These women, often arriving in the USA during migration waves, have long suffered from the image portrayed of them through films. They point out that women today come to “glamorize” their outfits and appropriate them to create a fashion trend, while 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. Additionally, while vintage fur pieces can be found second-hand, the reality is that fast fashion is profiting from the trend, such as Zara, whose fur coat sales have skyrocketed.

What pieces make up the Mob wife aesthetic?

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

Initially, outerwear becomes a fashion statement, featuring long fur coats in black, brown, or animal prints. Another equally effective option is the long tied leather trench coat. The material is also worn as pants, in dark tones or with touches of red.

Glamour makes its entrance with slip dress styles in silk, satin, or sequins, or versions with lace. Character is added to outfits with pieces featuring leopard or zebra patterns, worn either as a total look or on a sheer top.

Jewelry is inseparable from outfits, featuring eye-catching pieces. We bring out pearl necklaces, chunky chain necklaces, and other solid gold earrings.

How does the Mob wife aesthetic impact beauty?

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

We also find this XXL glamour vibe with very colorful lips sculpted with contouring. Meanwhile, the eyes are intensified with smoky eyes, and nails are worn long and pointed, with a flawless French manicure.

Photos: Pinterest